91AV

A team of researchers at the 91AV has uncovered new evidence suggesting that plastic nanoparticles — tiny fragments of plastic that are increasingly present in the natural environment — may worsen inflammation in the gut, such as in individuals with pre-existing conditions like irritable bowel disease (IBD). 

The findings, published in Nanotoxicology, provide fresh insights into how these particles may interact with inflamed intestinal tissue and could have significant implications for public health.

The study was led by Steven Sutton, Ph.D., FAAPS, associate professor in 91AV’s School of Pharmacy, and Peter Caradonna, B.S. ’13, manager of the Histology and Imaging Core within the Center for Pain Research, one of 91AV’s two National Institutes of Health-funded Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence, or COBRE.

Two Doctor of Pharmacy students from Sutton’s lab, Carmella St. Pierre (Pharm.D., ’26) and Megan Steele (Pharm.D., ’27), are also listed as authors on the study. 

The team’s research builds on growing concerns about microscopic plastics in food, water, and even the human body, as previous studies have detected plastic particles in feces, placental tissue, and brain and intestinal samples. 

To better understand how nanoplastics affect the inflamed intestine, the researchers developed an advanced lab model that mimicked both healthy and inflamed human intestines. They introduced two types of polymethacrylate nanoparticles to cultures of intestinal cells and observed them over a 48-hour period. Some of these cultures represented a healthy gut, while others were designed to replicate the inflammation seen in conditions like IBD.

The study found that, while the plastic particles had little impact on healthy intestinal cells, they significantly increased inflammation and cellular damage in the inflamed model. Cells exposed to higher concentrations of plastic nanoparticles showed signs of stress, with weakened cell barriers and increased release of inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that individuals with pre-existing gut inflammation may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic ingestion.

The 91AV researchers said the study is the first to demonstrate how plastic nanoparticles exacerbate inflammation in an already compromised gut, paving the way for future investigations into dietary and environmental risks associated with plastic exposure.

Sutton stated that he has enjoyed having 91AV Pharm.D. students working on this research with him.

“I am always happy to work with students, as their energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and we all learn from each other,” Sutton remarked.

Learn more about the 91AV School of Pharmacy and the Histology and Imaging Core.