Mokpo National University Department of Pharmacy Identifies 'Nano Plastic Accelerating Vascular Aging Phenomenon'

Direction for Improving Vascular Aging and Dysfunction Caused by Microplastics

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-kyung] A research team led by Professor Minho Ok of the Department of Pharmacy at National Mokpo University in Jeonnam published their study on the acceleration of vascular aging caused by nanoplastics and its molecular mechanisms in the top 5% journal in environmental science, Environment International (IF: 9.621).

Nanoplastics are plastics smaller than 100 nm and have recently emerged as a major environmental pollution issue. Due to their extremely small size and large surface area, they are known to be absorbed into the human body.

However, research on the relationship between human health and nanoplastics is still in its early stages, and particularly, the effects on cardiovascular health and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated.

Professor Minho Ok’s research team at Mokpo University’s Department of Pharmacy investigated the effects of nanoplastics on vascular aging by administering nanoplastics to coronary arteries and endothelial cells.

When polystyrene nanoplastic particles, one of the most common types of plastics, were applied, aging of the coronary arteries and endothelial cells was induced, and an increase in the expression of related biomarkers p53, p21, and p16 proteins was confirmed.

Along with vascular aging, microplastics reduced vascular elasticity?the ability of blood vessels to contract and relax?by decreasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and increasing oxidative stress.

Based on these experimental results, the research team proposed pharmacological approaches to improve vascular aging and dysfunction caused by microplastics.

Professor Minho Ok emphasized, “This study is one of the initial investigations clarifying the cardiovascular toxicity caused by exposure to nanoplastic particles. Efforts to elucidate health hazards due to increasing environmental pollution and to prevent them must continue through interdisciplinary convergence research including pharmacy, medicine, and environmental science.”

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