Gut microbiota as an emerging target for the health implications of microplastics

Microplastics (MPs) formed from fragmentation of plastic have been detected globally. Once enter the food chain, they can pose a significant threat to the public health. While MPs contamination in the food chain is well recognized the health implications of MPs consumption on human health remain poorly understood. In this review, we aimed to review the effects of MPs exposure on gut microbiota (GM), and to understand how the interactions between MPs and GM contributing to the detrimental effects of MPs on the intestinal barrier (disruption of mucus and tight-junction proteins), systemic immunity (inflammation and oxidative stress), and organs (neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity). Emerging evidence supports a key role of GM in mediating the health implications of MPs. Meanwhile, an indirect effect of MPs as carriers of pollutants and the potential of bioactive substances in mitigating the toxicity of MPs are also discussed. Although touted as environmentally friendly, biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) may surprisingly pose a greater threat to public health, which deems further research.