Effects of Dietary Polystyrene Microplastics on Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors

Effects of Dietary Polystyrene Microplastics From Disposable Plastic Tableware on Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors

The objective of this clinical trial is to explore the potential impact of dietary polystyrene microplastics on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in resident physicians. Specifically, the study aims to address two key questions:

1. Can dietary polystyrene microplastics induce alterations in the human gut microbiome?
2. Can dietary polystyrene microplastics exacerbate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors?

Participants will be divided into two groups based on their habitual eating practices: The control group, consisting of resident physicians, will use non-disposable plastic tableware (NDPT) provided by hospital canteens for two months. In contrast, the exposure group, also comprising resident physicians, will use disposable plastic tableware (DPT) made of polystyrene, provided by the same hospital canteens, over the same period.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression, Anxiety
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Dietary polystyrene microplastics from disposable plastic tableware

Detailed Description

The mental health and well-being of resident physicians is a critical topic that has gained increasing attention recently. Recent studies have shown a growing prevalence of mental health illnesses worldwide. For medical trainees and resident physicians, high rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and burnout have been consistently observed. Moreover, contemporary research suggests that dietary exposure plays a pivotal role in the development of mental illnesses. Disposable plastic tableware, commonly used during resident training programs, could be a contributing factor. However, the specific effects of dietary exposure from such tableware on mental health, particularly through the gut-brain axis, remain largely unexplored. Consequently, investigating the potential impact of dietary polystyrene microplastics on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in resident physicians is essential.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 15
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Jiangsu
    • Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China, 225001
      • Ju Gao

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteer resident physician at the base of Northern Jiangsu Hospital, Yangzhou, China

Exclusion Criteria:

• received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery in the 3 -6 months before sampling
• diagnosed with mental illness
• diagnosed with digestive system diseases

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: The control group; The control group, consisting of resident physicians, will use non-disposable plastic tableware (NDPT) provided by hospital canteens for two months.
Experimental: The exposure group; The exposure group, also comprising resident physicians, will use disposable plastic tableware (DPT) made of polystyrene, provided by the same hospital canteens for two months	Other: Dietary polystyrene microplastics from disposable plastic tableware; Microplastic release from the daily use of disposable plastic materials (e.g., plastic boxes) when holding hot food or drink.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Assessing mental status using the depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire	In this study, the researchers utilized the Chinese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), a widely recognized and reliable instrument for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress. This comprehensive tool is divided into three sections, each dedicated to evaluating the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The depression scale scores range from 0 to 21, with normal scores falling below 4. Anxiety scores also range from 0 to 21, with normal scores below 3. For stress, scores range from 0 to 18, with scores below 7 considered normal. Higher scores on any of these scales indicate elevated levels of depression, anxiety, or stress. In this research, the DASS-21 was employed to monitor the variations in anxiety and depression-like behaviors among the two groups, both at baseline and after the treatment period.	At the baseline and end of this clinical trial an average of two months. the enrolled participants will be asked to complete the DASS-21 questionnaire.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Alterations in human gut microbial diversity investigated through 16S rRNA	The gut microbiota encompasses the microorganisms residing in the human gastrointestinal tract. Microbial diversity refers to the variety of different species present in the gut microbiome. In this study, DNA extraction from fecal samples is carried out in two primary steps. Initially, the sample undergoes purification using multiple reagents and centrifugation. This process isolates the microbes by removing other fecal components. The next step involves lysing bacterial cells; this is achieved by incubating the samples in lysis buffer with agitation. Subsequently, the extracted DNA is amplified through techniques such as multiple displacement amplification. A 16S rRNA primer is then selected for gene sequencing. The sequences obtained from the 16S rRNA will be analyzed to ascertain the gut microbial diversity at the species level.	At the beginning and conclusion of this clinical trial, spanning an average duration of two months, the enrolled participants will be asked to provide fecal samples

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 25, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 7, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 30, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): February 8, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 22, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 21, 2024
• Last Verified: August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Anxiety; Gut microbiome; Polystyrene microplastics
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Anxiety Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: Dietary

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No