Everyday packaging plastic may compound fatty liver risk from burgers and sodas
Microplastics have become nearly impossible to avoid. They have been detected in oceans, drinking water and even the human body, but scientists are still uncovering how they affect human health. Now, researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have uncovered evidence that one of the world's most common plastics may do more than pollute the environment. Their findings suggest that polyethylene may contribute to fatty liver disease and worsen the condition when combined with an unhealthy diet.
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While scientists have previously studied other types of microplastics, polyethylene has received comparatively little attention despite accounting for roughly one-third of global plastic production. Because it is commonly used in food packaging, plastic wraps, food storage containers and beverage cup linings, researchers wanted to determine whether this widely used plastic could contribute to liver disease and, if so, how it produced those effects.
"No studies have really looked into polyethylene's effect on liver health, and it's the most widely produced plastic," said Dr. Adi Joshi, associate professor in VMBS' Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology. "What we now know is that these microplastics, especially polyethylene, affect our liver's natural defense and repair mechanisms."
While previous studies have largely focused on other types of microplastics, researchers knew relatively little about how polyethylene affects liver health. Joshi's team set out to fill that knowledge gap by investigating whether exposure to the plastic could contribute to fatty liver disease, a condition that affects about 25% of people globally, according to the American Liver Foundation, in which excess fat builds up in liver cells.
The researchers found that polyethylene increased signs of fatty liver disease on its own and further exacerbated the condition when paired with a diet high in fat, fructose and cholesterol. The findings suggest that environmental exposures and dietary habits may work together to accelerate liver damage.