Micro e nanoplásticos no sistema cardiovascular humano: evidências sobre presença, aterosclerose e desfechos cardiovasculares
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47224/revistamaster.v11i21.862Keywords:
Microplastics, atherosclerosis, major adverse cardiovascular events, integrative reviewAbstract
Introduction: Global plastic production exceeds 400 million tons annually, generating micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) that contaminate food, water, and air (Zhu et al., 2022; Irfan et al., 2024; Prattichizzo et al., 2024). Recent evidence has detected these particles in human cardiovascular tissues, suggesting their role as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor (Marfella et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2024; Cui et al., 2025). Objective: To synthesize clinical evidence on the detection of MNPs in the human body and their associations with cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: An integrative review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases (2020–2025), including studies in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, based on descriptors related to microplastics, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular outcomes, and biomonitoring (Mendes, Silveira & Galvão, 2008). Nine studies were included: two prospective cohorts, three cross-sectional studies, and four reviews. Results: All five original studies detected MNPs in cardiovascular samples, with significantly higher concentrations in atherosclerotic tissues (Marfella et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2024; Massie et al., 2025; Cui et al., 2025; Clark et al., 2025). Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene were the most frequent polymers. Marfella et al.. (2024) reported a 4.53-fold higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with MNPs in carotid plaques. Zhang et al. (2025) confirmed an association between coronary PVC and MACE. Proposed mechanisms include oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombogenesis. Conclusion: MNPs represent a biologically plausible cardiovascular risk factor; however, causality remains unestablished, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies and analytical standardization.
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