Organ Model: Intestine (Duodenum)
Application: ADME, Toxicology
Highlights
This study used a human Intestine-Chip model and found that 25 nm polystyrene micro/nanoplastics (MNP) caused minimal toxicity in both healthy and Crohn’s-derived small intestinal tissue over 24 hours—no major damage to barrier function or big shifts in inflammatory signals. However, researchers did detect changes in a handful of genes (including IFI6) linked to immune defense. They also confirmed that MNP uptake involves both passive diffusion and active endocytosis pathways—suggesting that even “low-toxicity” levels of plastics can still get absorbed and potentially affect gut biology.
