BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG
Dedication: To Casey and Calley Means, fearless science and health advocates, for their inspiring work in redefining wellness and empowering individuals to take charge of their metabolic destinies. Micro-/nanoplastics represent a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with potential adverse...
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| Date: | 2025 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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V.I.Vernadsky Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry
2025
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| Online Access: | https://ucj.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/728 |
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| Journal Title: | Ukrainian Chemistry Journal |
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Ukrainian Chemistry Journal| id |
oai:ojs2.1444248.nisspano.web.hosting-test.net:article-728 |
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Ukrainian Chemistry Journal |
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2025-09-25T13:41:29Z |
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| language |
English |
| topic_facet |
Bioavailable Plastic Micro-/Nanoplastics Environmental Contaminants Environmental Health Crisis Systemic Pollution Particle Size Distribution Biological Barrier Penetration Cognitive Decline Neurotoxicity Plastic Additives Bisphenols Phthalates Hormonal Disruption Endocrine System Lipophilicity Lipid-Mediated Transport Adipose Tissue Accumulation Salo (Ukrainian Cured Fat) Solvation-Assisted Desorption Endogenous/Exogenous Fatty Acids. |
| format |
Article |
| author |
Han, Jianlin Wzorek, Alicja Klika, Karel Ono, Taizo Soloshonok, Vadim |
| spellingShingle |
Han, Jianlin Wzorek, Alicja Klika, Karel Ono, Taizo Soloshonok, Vadim BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG |
| author_facet |
Han, Jianlin Wzorek, Alicja Klika, Karel Ono, Taizo Soloshonok, Vadim |
| author_sort |
Han, Jianlin |
| title |
BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG |
| title_short |
BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG |
| title_full |
BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG |
| title_fullStr |
BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG |
| title_full_unstemmed |
BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG |
| title_sort |
bioavailable plastic: from cognitive decline in the old to hormonal disruption in the young |
| description |
Dedication: To Casey and Calley Means, fearless science and health advocates, for their inspiring work in redefining wellness and empowering individuals to take charge of their metabolic destinies.
Micro-/nanoplastics represent a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with potential adverse effects across all living organisms. Ongoing research consistently reveals new and expands upon existing concerns regarding plastic exposure. Notably, emerging evidence suggests a link between plastic exposure and premature cognitive decline in older adults, potentially contributing to the onset or exacerbation of neurodegenerative diseases associated with dementia. Furthermore, endocrine-disrupting chemicals derived from plastics have been implicated in hormonal imbalances, potentially resulting in the masculinization of female development and the feminization of male development. If unmitigated, these impacts could precipitate a substantial and unforeseen environmental health crisis. This Perspective employs a chemistry-based approach to elucidate plastic-related health issues and introduces the concept of bioavailable plastic, i.e. plastic particles smaller than 2.5 μm capable of biological barrier penetration. We highlight lipophilicity as the key physicochemical property responsible for the uptake of these particles within organisms particularly their accumulation in adipose tissues, including the brain. Furthermore, we propose a solvation-assisted desorption mechanism whereby oligomeric molecules released from plastics in fatty tissues generate mono- and dicarboxylic acids that mimic endogenous fatty acids. These exogenous fatty acids can integrate into phospholipid and glycolipid biosynthesis becoming components of cell membranes and myelin sheaths. These considerations should stimulate research aimed at neurological health protection in an increasingly plastic-laden environment, though the broader implications of this integration are of significant concern. Mechanistic understanding of the link between bioavailable plastic exposure and central nervous system disorders is crucial for informing transformative policy changes and preventive measures to safeguard future generations’ health. To empower readers with actionable strategies for reducing plastic exposure, we offer several recommendations. Notably, limiting the consumption of fatty animal products, especially pork fat (salo) is advised. While salo is a culturally significant food, it appears to be a major reservoir for plastic particles, particularly those smaller than 200 nm, i.e. bioavailable plastic. These nanoparticles, due to their ability to traverse biological barriers in humans, pose a considerable risk. This Perspective seeks to underscore the critical need for comprehensive research into the long-term health effects of microplastics highlighting their pervasive presence and potential hidden dangers. |
| publisher |
V.I.Vernadsky Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry |
| publishDate |
2025 |
| url |
https://ucj.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/728 |
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AT hanjianlin bioavailableplasticfromcognitivedeclineintheoldtohormonaldisruptionintheyoung AT wzorekalicja bioavailableplasticfromcognitivedeclineintheoldtohormonaldisruptionintheyoung AT klikakarel bioavailableplasticfromcognitivedeclineintheoldtohormonaldisruptionintheyoung AT onotaizo bioavailableplasticfromcognitivedeclineintheoldtohormonaldisruptionintheyoung AT soloshonokvadim bioavailableplasticfromcognitivedeclineintheoldtohormonaldisruptionintheyoung |
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2025-09-26T01:42:09Z |
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oai:ojs2.1444248.nisspano.web.hosting-test.net:article-7282025-09-25T13:41:29Z BIOAVAILABLE PLASTIC: FROM COGNITIVE DECLINE IN THE OLD TO HORMONAL DISRUPTION IN THE YOUNG Han, Jianlin Wzorek, Alicja Klika, Karel Ono, Taizo Soloshonok, Vadim Bioavailable Plastic, Micro-/Nanoplastics, Environmental Contaminants, Environmental Health Crisis Systemic Pollution, Particle Size Distribution, Biological Barrier Penetration, Cognitive Decline, Neurotoxicity, Plastic Additives, Bisphenols, Phthalates, Hormonal Disruption, Endocrine System, Lipophilicity, Lipid-Mediated Transport, Adipose Tissue Accumulation, Salo (Ukrainian Cured Fat), Solvation-Assisted Desorption, Endogenous/Exogenous Fatty Acids. Dedication: To Casey and Calley Means, fearless science and health advocates, for their inspiring work in redefining wellness and empowering individuals to take charge of their metabolic destinies. Micro-/nanoplastics represent a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with potential adverse effects across all living organisms. Ongoing research consistently reveals new and expands upon existing concerns regarding plastic exposure. Notably, emerging evidence suggests a link between plastic exposure and premature cognitive decline in older adults, potentially contributing to the onset or exacerbation of neurodegenerative diseases associated with dementia. Furthermore, endocrine-disrupting chemicals derived from plastics have been implicated in hormonal imbalances, potentially resulting in the masculinization of female development and the feminization of male development. If unmitigated, these impacts could precipitate a substantial and unforeseen environmental health crisis. This Perspective employs a chemistry-based approach to elucidate plastic-related health issues and introduces the concept of bioavailable plastic, i.e. plastic particles smaller than 2.5 μm capable of biological barrier penetration. We highlight lipophilicity as the key physicochemical property responsible for the uptake of these particles within organisms particularly their accumulation in adipose tissues, including the brain. Furthermore, we propose a solvation-assisted desorption mechanism whereby oligomeric molecules released from plastics in fatty tissues generate mono- and dicarboxylic acids that mimic endogenous fatty acids. These exogenous fatty acids can integrate into phospholipid and glycolipid biosynthesis becoming components of cell membranes and myelin sheaths. These considerations should stimulate research aimed at neurological health protection in an increasingly plastic-laden environment, though the broader implications of this integration are of significant concern. Mechanistic understanding of the link between bioavailable plastic exposure and central nervous system disorders is crucial for informing transformative policy changes and preventive measures to safeguard future generations’ health. To empower readers with actionable strategies for reducing plastic exposure, we offer several recommendations. Notably, limiting the consumption of fatty animal products, especially pork fat (salo) is advised. While salo is a culturally significant food, it appears to be a major reservoir for plastic particles, particularly those smaller than 200 nm, i.e. bioavailable plastic. These nanoparticles, due to their ability to traverse biological barriers in humans, pose a considerable risk. This Perspective seeks to underscore the critical need for comprehensive research into the long-term health effects of microplastics highlighting their pervasive presence and potential hidden dangers. V.I.Vernadsky Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry 2025-06-25 Article Article Organic chemistry Органическая xимия Органічна xімія application/pdf https://ucj.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/728 10.33609/2708-129X.91.5.2025.33-62 Ukrainian Chemistry Journal; Vol. 91 No. 5 (2025): Ukrainian Chemistry Journal; 33-62 Украинский химический журнал; Том 91 № 5 (2025): Ukrainian Chemistry Journal; 33-62 Український хімічний журнал; Том 91 № 5 (2025): Ukrainian Chemistry Journal; 33-62 2708-129X 2708-1281 en https://ucj.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/728/368 |