Association between microplastics exposure and gut microbiota and metabolites in older adults: A cross-sectional study
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a global issue. Due to long-term accumulation and physiological decline, older adults may be more susceptible to its effects. This study aims to evaluate the associations between MPs and the gut microbiota and metabolites in older adults.
METHOD
During the 2024 follow-up of the Ningxia Older Mental Health Cohort, 45 fecal samples were collected. MP detection was performed using laser direct infrared imaging spectrometer (LDIR), and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) was used to assess microbial community similarity. Wilcoxon tests were used for intergroup comparisons of microbial dysbiosis index (MDI), gut microbiome health index (GMHI), and microbial abundance. Differential metabolites were screened using the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model and univariate analysis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database was used for pathway annotation. Bland-Altman analysis evaluated the consistency between fecal MP detection counts and the plastic exposure score (PES) from questionnaires.
RESULTS
The average count of MPs in feces was 70.10 particles/g, primarily consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), butadiene rubber (BR), and polyethylene (PE). MP exposure may affect the beta diversity, MDI, and GMHI in older adults. Furthermore, changes in the abundance of certain species in the gut microbiota, such as Klebsiella and Escherichia-Shigella, and levels of metabolites, such as taurine…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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