Nanoplastics: An emerging environmental concern in age-related diseases

Abstract

The global demand for plastics has increased in recent years, with annual production exceeding 400 million tons. Despite their versatility and economic advantages, plastics pose severe environmental challenges due to inadequate waste management, with only 9 % being recycled. The rest accumulate in the environment, leading to widespread plastic pollution and the emergence of nanoplastics (NPs), plastic particles smaller than 0.1 μm. Their persistence in ecosystems, air, and water sources has raised significant ecological and health concerns. Beyond environmental concerns, NPs have been found in human tissues, with growing evidence linking them to adverse biological effects. Of particular concern is their role in aging and age-related diseases. Their ability to disrupt molecular pathways involved in DNA damage, mitochondrial function, and immune responses further implicates them in premature aging. Moreover, the interaction of NPs with cellular machinery can alter critical signaling pathways, such as p53 and p16INK4a/Rb, which regulate cell cycle progression and genomic integrity. Dysregulation of these pathways by NPs may drive cellular senescence, an irreversible growth arrest state contributing to tissue dysfunction and age-related pathologies. This review specifically highlights the mechanistic links between NPs exposure, cellular senescence, and biological aging, offering a novel and timely perspective on how NPs may contribute to age-related pathologies. It aims to examine recent researches on NPs in relation to senescence and aging, providing insights into their mechanistic impact at cellular and systemic levels. By analyzing emerging evidence on their role in senescence and aging, this study highlights potential health risks and underscores the urgent need for further investigations and regulatory measures to mitigate their long-term consequences.