{"id":161461,"date":"2024-04-10T17:57:24","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T23:57:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?post_type=sciencecommunication&p=161461"},"modified":"2024-04-11T15:11:48","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T21:11:48","slug":"microplastics-and-obesity","status":"publish","type":"sciencecommunication","link":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/science-communication\/microplastics-and-obesity\/","title":{"rendered":"Are microplastics linked to obesity?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Silvia Mar\u00eda Aldana Salazar<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are aware that polyethylene terephthalate, commonly referred to as PET, serves as an excellent material for storing drinks, beverages, and various other products. This type of plastic, named after the polyethylene it contains, also incorporates other terephthalates, which function as endocrine disruptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These disruptors are compounds that are foreign to the human body and might be able to alter the endocrine system<\/a>, affecting health [1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although little is known about the potentially toxic effects of microplastics (MPs) on human health, it has been found that <\/a>when MPs of <20 \u00b5m in size are inhaled or ingested, they can penetrate membranes<\/a>, accumulate in tissues, and elicit cytotoxic responses, which means they can penetrate cells and cause them to die. [2]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A compound earns the label “obesogenic” when it contributes to obesity and weight-related issues. This typically occurs due to factors such as an increase in the number of adipocytes, specialized cells within adipose tissue tasked with fat storage, which can consequently disrupt metabolism..[3]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acting as endocrine disruptors, microplastics have been associated with various metabolic disorders, including diabetes and obesity, which is why they are classified as obesogenic.[1,3] Plastics have become a major environmental concern because they are used for almost everything in our daily lives.[4]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you pause for a moment and glance around, you’ll quickly notice a plethora of items: cups, containers, food packaging, cellphones, computers, chairs, kitchen utensils, and the list continues. What ties these diverse objects together is their shared reliance, either partially or entirely, on plastic components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s crucial to highlight that only 9% of plastics are recycled, leaving the majority to end up in landfills, where they pose a significant threat to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems through pollution. [5]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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