Microplastics in the Human Respiratory System

Detection and Analysis of Microplastic Subtypes in the Human Respiratory System.

Environmental pollution from plastics has become a significant global issue, with microplastics-tiny particles resulting from plastic degradation-being increasingly detected in various environments, including aquatic ecosystems, soil, and air. These particles can enter the human body through ingestion or inhalation. Despite growing concerns, little is known about the prevalence and types of microplastics in human lungs. Some studies suggest that microplastics may negatively impact respiratory function and lead to lung diseases. Hypothetically, they could cause inflammation, metabolic disorders, and contribute to lung cancer development. However, research is still in its early stages, and conclusive evidence about the mechanisms linking microplastics to negative health effects is lacking. This study aims to quantify and characterize microplastics in the lung parenchyma and lymph nodes of patients with lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Tissue samples will be collected during surgeries, and microplastic particles will be detected using FTIR microspectroscopy. The research may contribute to a better understanding of the role of microplastics in the development of respiratory diseases.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Lung Transplantation; Microplastics; Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Detailed Description

Environmental pollution from plastics has become one of the key global challenges, with microplastics-tiny particles resulting from plastic degradation-being increasingly detected in water, soil, and the atmosphere. Microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion or inhalation. According to studies (Prata et al., 2020), there is a risk of microplastics being present in the human respiratory system, raising public health concerns. Although research on microplastics in human lungs is still in its infancy, some preliminary studies suggest a potential link between their presence and decreased respiratory function or lung diseases (Chen et al., 2022). Hypothetically, microplastics could cause inflammatory reactions, disrupt metabolism, and contribute to lung cancer development. Additionally, it is speculated that inhaled microplastics could settle in lung tissue and spread to other organs through lymphatic and blood vessels, but this hypothesis remains unproven.

Given the limited data and the rising prevalence of respiratory disorders, this study aims to quantify and characterize microplastics present in the lung parenchyma and lymph nodes of patients with lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, such as emphysema or interstitial lung diseases. The study also seeks to clarify the role of microplastics in the development of these conditions. In future stages, the research will focus on uncovering the mechanisms through which microplastics affect lung tissues.

The study model involves analyzing lung tissue and lymph node samples from patients undergoing surgeries for lung cancer, emphysema, and interstitial lung diseases. Microplastic particles will be detected using infrared microspectroscopy (μFTIR). Lung parenchyma, lymph nodes, and blood samples will be collected with patient consent during surgery, and tissues will be stored at -80°C for further analysis.

Following established protocols (Jenner et al., 2022), microplastics will be identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In addition to microplastic analysis, data on patients' medical history, occupational exposure, respiratory function, smoking habits, and COVID-19 history will be collected alongside surgical and histopathological findings.

The study anticipates detecting microplastics in the respiratory tract and identifying their types. It is possible that this research will establish a correlation between the presence of microplastics and the severity of lung diseases, potentially identifying a new risk factor for respiratory illnesses. Future research will delve deeper into the mechanisms through which microplastics may cause harmful health effects.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Piotr Gabryel, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +48603444042; Email: piotrgabryel@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Dominika Zielińska, MD; Phone Number: +48509091690; Email: piotrgabryel@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Poland
  • Wielkopolska
    • Poznań, Wielkopolska, Poland, 60-569
      • Wielkopolskie Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii w Poznaniu
      • Contact: Piotr Gabryel, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +48 603-444-042; Email: piotrgabryel@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study group comprises patients from the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Wielkopolskie Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii. Participants include individuals undergoing surgery for lung cancer, other respiratory diseases such as emphysema and interstitial lung diseases, and lung transplantation (lungs removed from transplant recipients). The group includes individuals with diverse backgrounds, varying occupational exposure histories, smoking status (active and passive), e-cigarette use, and different comorbid conditions.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer, emphysema, interstitial lung diseases, or other respiratory conditions,
• patients undergoing lung transplantation (lungs removed from transplant recipients),
• age 18 years or older,
• ability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with a history of recent or ongoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy,
• inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent,
• previous lung surgeries,
• insufficient tissue or blood samples available for analysis due to technical or procedural reasons.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of lung microplastics.	Number of microplastics particles detected per sample of lung tissue or regional lymph nodes obtained from patients during surgery.	Time of surgery (Single time point; microplastic measurement is performed on a lung sample taken during surgery).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Types of lung microplastics.	Types of microplastics particles detected per sample of lung tissue or regional lymph nodes obtained from patients during surgery.	Time of surgery (Single time point; microplastic measurement is performed on a lung sample taken during surgery).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Wielkopolskie Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii
• Investigators: Study Chair: Cezary Piwkowski, MD, Prof., Poznan University of Medical Sciences

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Jenner LC, Rotchell JM, Bennett RT, Cowen M, Tentzeris V, Sadofsky LR. Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using muFTIR spectroscopy. Sci Total Environ. 2022 Jul 20;831:154907. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907. Epub 2022 Mar 29.
• Zhao J, Zhang H, Shi L, Jia Y, Sheng H. Detection and quantification of microplastics in various types of human tumor tissues. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Sep 15;283:116818. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116818. Epub 2024 Jul 30.
• Field DT, Green JL, Bennett R, Jenner LC, Sadofsky LR, Chapman E, Loubani M, Rotchell JM. Microplastics in the surgical environment. Environ Int. 2022 Dec;170:107630. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107630. Epub 2022 Nov 13.
• Danopoulos E, Jenner LC, Twiddy M, Rotchell JM. Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Environ Health Perspect. 2020 Dec;128(12):126002. doi: 10.1289/EHP7171. Epub 2020 Dec 23.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 30, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 17, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): September 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 3, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 1, 2024
• Last Verified: October 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: lung; lung cancer; transplantation; respiratory system; microplastics
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Neoplasms; Lung Diseases; Neoplasms by Site; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: MicroLung24; 2023/07/X/NZ7/00906 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Narodowe Centrum Nauki)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Only IPD used in the results publication will be shared
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Beginning 2 months and ending 5 years after the publication of results.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: A proposal that describes planned analyses mjust be submitted to central contact person.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No