Microplastics in focus: a silent disruptor of liver health- a systematic review.

Abstract

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are widespread environmental contaminants, yet their impact on human liver health is not fully understood. We conducted a systematic review of 25 experimental, observational, and organoid-based studies published between 2022 and 2025 that investigated the hepatotoxic effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (PS-MPs/NPs). Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened 770 records from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science. After removing duplicates, conducting dual-stage screening, and assessing quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, 25 studies met our predefined inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies using human liver-derived cell lines consistently reported oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disturbances in lipid-metabolism in a size- and dose-dependent manner, with nanoplastics showing the highest toxicity. Six investigations using pluripotent-stem-cell-derived liver organoids confirmed and expanded upon these findings, demonstrating that both pristine and aged PS-MPs (1-10 µm) disrupt sulfur amino acid and iron homeostasis (e.g., increased serum cysteine, decreased hepatic cysteine, and disturbed homocysteine metabolism), impair mitochondrial bioenergetics, and lead to significant lipid accumulation after exposures lasting up to 500 h. Limited human evidence indicated transplacental transfer of PS-MP associated with elevated fetal liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transferase) in 1,057 pregnancies, and higher microplastic levels were found in cirrhotic livers compared to non-diseased livers, underscoring potential clinical implications. Current findings suggest that exposure to PS-MP/NP disrupts hepatic redox balance, metabolic function, and structural integrity across <i>in vitro</i>, organoid, and human models. However, variability in particle characterization, exposure methods, and outcome measures, along with limited epidemiological data, hinder definitive risk assessment. Future research should prioritize standardized methodologies, longitudinal human studies, and advanced mechanistic models to establish exposure thresholds and develop strategies to mitigate microplastic-induced hepatotoxicity. <b>Systematic Review Registration:</b> https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251159265.