Microplastics and Atherosclerosis: Mechanisms

Microplastics are emerging as mediators in the interaction between environmental pollutants and cardiovascular health. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin exposure, disrupting biological processes such as autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress, immune activation, and vascular dysfunction. Therefore, MNPs might promote the development of cardiovascular diseases. The link between MNPs and cardiovascular diseases remains unclear, with no consistent data confirming a correlation between their concentration in tissues and disease onset. Continuously evolving analytical techniques to detect MNPs within human organs and tissues will help the design of…