Plastic particles from water bottles may damage pancreatic cells, study finds

A study published in BMC Genomics reports that PET microplastic exposure in a porcine model led to pancreatic cell death, protein changes and increased fat droplets; the authors say these changes could point to metabolic disturbances and call for more research.

Researchers in Poland and Spain published a study in BMC Genomics reporting that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics — a main component of many plastic bottles — affected pancreatic tissue in a porcine model. The team treated pigs with either a low dose (0.1 g/day) or a high dose (1 g/day) of PET microplastics for four weeks. They examined protein abundance, fat droplet accumulation, and cell toxicity in the pancreas. The authors link these observations to possible metabolic disturbances such as impaired insulin function. Key findings: - PET microplastic exposure produced dose-dependent changes in protein abundance in pancreatic tissue, with seven proteins altered at the lower dose and 17 at the higher dose. - Researchers observed increased fat droplet accumulation in the pancreas after exposure, a change the study associates with impaired insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. - The study reports evidence of cell death and cellular inflammation in pancreatic tissue following PET exposure. - The experiment used pigs because their pancreatic function and metabolism are considered physiologically similar to humans, and the work appears in BMC Genomics. Summary: The study suggests a potential pathway by which PET microplastics could contribute to metabolic disturbances through effects on pancreatic cells and proteins. The researchers note parallels with human biology but do not present direct proof of the same effects in people. They call for further research on how microplastics accumulate in food chains and for consideration of possible health implications by policymakers. Undetermined at this time.