Mahesan Subramaniam: Microplastics – Present in More Than 50% of Arterial Plaques Removed During Surgery
Dato Capt. Mahesan Subramaniam, Co-Founder United Health Tourism, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“A recent study has revealed that microplastics are present in more than 50% of arterial plaques removed during surgery, potentially contributing to heart disease. Researchers from the University of Campania in Naples analyzed tissue samples from 257 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy—a procedure to remove fatty deposits from narrowed arteries. They discovered that nearly 60% of the samples contained polyethylene, the most commonly produced plastic, while 12% also had polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The presence of these microplastics was associated with a 4.5-fold increased risk of stroke, heart attack, or death over a 34-month follow-up period. This suggests that microplastics may play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and scarring in heart cells, which could lead to impaired heart function.
While the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the findings highlight the potential health risks associated with microplastic exposure. As microplastics are found in various environmental sources, including air, water, and food, their impact on human health warrants further investigation.
Title: Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Raffaele Marfella, Francesco Prattichizzo, Celestino Sardu, Gianluca Fulgenzi, Laura Graciotti, Tatiana Spadoni, Nunzia D’Onofrio, Lucia Scisciola, Rosalba La Grotta, Chiara Frigé, Valeria Pellegrini, Maurizio Municinò, Mario Siniscalchi, Fabio Spinetti, Gennaro Vigliotti, Carmine Vecchione, Albino Carrizzo, Giulio Accarino, Antonio Squillante, Giuseppe Spaziano, Davida Mirra, Renata Esposito, Simona Altieri, Giovanni Falco, Angelo Fenti, Simona Galoppo, Silvana Canzano, Ferdinando C Sasso, Giulia Matacchione, Fabiola Olivieri, Franca Ferraraccio, Iacopo Panarese, Pasquale Paolisso, Emanuele Barbato, Carmine Lubritto, Maria L Balestrieri, Ciro Mauro, Augusto E Caballero, Sanjay Rajagopalan, Antonio Ceriello, Bruno D’Agostino, Pasquale Iovino, Giuseppe Paolisso
Read full paper here.
Research Paper
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2309822″
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