Texas A&M University researchers found that polyethylene microplastics may contribute to fatty liver disease in mice.
Polyethylene makes up about one-third of global plastic production and is used in food wrappers, containers and cup linings.
The plastic raised signs of liver disease on its own and made them worse alongside a diet high in fat, fructose and cholesterol.
Outside expert Dr. Nhan Nguyen cautioned that the effect has not been shown in people.
Researchers next plan to study liver scarring, other microplastics and whether chemicals clinging to the plastic play a role.
Scientists at Texas A&M University have found that polyethylene, the most widely produced plastic in the world, may contribute to fatty liver disease in mice, especially when combined with an unhealthy diet. The surprising findings from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences suggest that this common plastic, long considered biologically inert, can independently increase signs of fatty liver disease and worsen those signs when paired with foods loaded with fat, cholesterol and fructose. The research, published in Science Advances, used a gene-mapping technique to show where in the liver the damage occurs.
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