Overview
- University of California, Riverside–led scientists report that daily microplastic exposure worsened plaque buildup only in male LDLR-deficient mice.
- Male mice developed 63% more plaque in the aortic root and 624% more in the brachiocephalic artery, while females showed no significant change.
- Mice received 10 mg/kg of microplastics daily for nine weeks on a lean, low-fat diet at levels described as environmentally relevant.
- Weight and blood lipids remained unchanged, indicating the accelerated disease occurred independently of obesity or high cholesterol.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing and imaging pointed to endothelial dysfunction and pro-atherogenic gene activation, and the authors caution that human relevance remains to be confirmed while advising practical exposure reduction.