How microplastics affect gut health
Defining the Harmful Effects of Microplastics on Gastrointestinal Health
Researchers are seeing whether tiny plastic particles people ingest harm gut cells and bacteria and make intestinal inflammation worse, especially for people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11383764 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work exposes laboratory-grown human intestinal cells and animal models to tiny plastic particles to watch how cell energy use, barrier function, and gut microbes change over time. The team will measure intestinal permeability, cellular metabolism, signs of low-level inflammation, and shifts in the microbiome after chronic microplastic exposure. They will also test models that mimic inflammatory bowel disease to see if pre-existing intestinal inflammation makes the effects worse. The goal is to link cellular and microbial changes to potential health risks from everyday microplastic ingestion.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) or others with chronic intestinal inflammation would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to gut barrier function, microbiome changes, or intestinal inflammation may not see direct benefit from these results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify how microplastics damage the gut and point to ways to reduce risk or protect people with intestinal inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and cell-based studies have shown microplastics can alter gut microbes and cause low-level inflammation, but strong human evidence is still limited and this approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castillo, Eliseo F — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Castillo, Eliseo F
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.