The use of plastics is rapidly increasing worldwide, with estimates predicting a significant rise in plastic manufacturing from 368 million tons in 2019 to 33 billion tons by 2050. Plastics, including polystyrene (PS), are widely used in various industries due to their unique properties. However, their stable crystal structure and high molecular weight make them an environmental concern. The accumulation of plastic particles, known as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has become a major environmental concern. These particles can contaminate food products and easily be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, raising concerns about their potential health effects.
Research has shown that MPs and NPs can disrupt gut barrier function and microbial balance, leading to adverse health effects. To address this issue, a review by authors from Iran highlights the potential use of probiotics in reducing the toxicity of these materials in humans. Probiotics have been found to have beneficial effects on gut function and can potentially counteract the negative effects of micro and nano-plastics on the gastrointestinal tract.
The authors emphasize the benefits of probiotics and cite studies that have shown the efficacy of probiotic strains in reducing the side effects of microbial imbalances caused by various diseases or medical treatments. For example, one study demonstrated that a mixture of specific probiotic strains significantly restored gut and oral microbial diversity. Moreover, probiotics have been found to decrease gut dysbiosis and intestinal leakage, which could reduce the secretion of inflammatory biomarkers and prevent unnecessary activation of the immune system.
Additionally, research has shown that probiotics may modify the toxicity of toxins often occurring in the human daily diet. For instance, a study treated mice with a combination of toxins and administered different species of probiotics, which had a beneficial effect on their endocrine system and exhibited antioxidant properties.
Furthermore, probiotics have been confirmed to have biosorptive or toxin binding abilities, due to their binding properties with specific protein and polysaccharide structures present in the cell walls of microplastics. In some studies, certain strains of probiotics even demonstrated the ability to degrade common plastic ingredients.
The authors suggest that probiotics can be effective against microplastic and nanoplastic toxicity based on their benefits on the intestinal barrier and their modulation of inflammatory responses. Probiotic metabolites have been shown to interact with the brain-gut axis, enhancing CNS homeostasis. However, further evaluation is needed to fully understand the extent of probiotics’ potential in reducing the toxicity of micro and nanoplastics in humans.
In summary, the use of probiotics may offer promise in reducing the toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics. Further research is necessary to explore and evaluate their effectiveness.
