Polyethylene microplastics linked to fatty liver disease

Researchers at Texas A&M University, in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma, published a study in Science Advances showing that polyethylene microplastics, one of the most widely produced plastics, may contribute to fatty liver disease and worsen the condition when combined with an unhealthy diet. Using spatial transcriptomics, they identified PPAR-alpha and ANXA2 as key molecular players in the liver's response to polyethylene exposure. The study, led by Dr. Adi Joshi, found that polyethylene increased signs of fatty liver disease on its own and exacerbated the condition when paired with a diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol. The findings are notable because polyethylene has long been considered biologically inert. The research opens new avenues for studying the health effects of microplastics and potential therapeutic targets.