Impact of microplastics on the human digestive system: From basic to clinical

Figure 2 How microplastics do harm to gastrointestine. Microplastics alter the gastrointestinal flora species and cause dysbiosis by changing the environment; reduce nutrient absorption and affect the growth of commensal flora; induce oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis of epithelial cells and increase permeability; act as a carrier to carry pathogens and plasticizers; and cause mechanical damage to the gastrointestinal tract. MPs: Microplastics; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; Nrf: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor.