Microplastics responsible for bladder cancer!

Researchers from Bond University (Australia) were interested in the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the urinary tract. What prompted him to conduct this study, which was published in the August 31 issue of the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology? The 404.61 million urinary tract infections diagnosed in 2019, which caused 236,000 deaths.

Based on a meta-analysis of six scientific articles, Australian researchers identified plastic particles in 54% of urine samples, 70% of kidney samples and 68% of bladder cancer samples.

If microplastics are present in cases of cancerhow do we know if they are involved in tumor formation? To answer this question, the researchers analyzed dozens of previous studies that looked at the effects of plastic particles on the urinary tract. According to researchers, the presence of plastic in the urinary tract causes toxicity and inflammation, reducing the life of cells. Also, these microparticles disrupt extracellular signaling pathways, which mainly participate in cell growth, differentiation and transformation into tumors.

The authors of the study recommend measures that must be taken quickly. They point out that microplastics have cytotoxic effects, in addition to their ability to cause inflammation, reduce cell viability and inhibit signaling pathways, generating major public health concerns for bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic diseases of the urinary tract and incontinence.

In 2019, around 368 million tonnes of plastic were produced, and this figure is expected to double by 2050. The Vie-publique website points out that this huge increase can be explained mainly by the large use of plastic in the packaging sector (36). % of global market share).

According to studies conducted in recent years, microplastic found in the brain, placentas, testicular tissues, etc. A study highlights the negative effects of microparticles on the heart. They were found in atherosclerotic plaques removed from the carotids of patients with a fourfold increase in the risk of stroke compared to patients who did not have plastic in their atherosclerotic plaques.