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[This article belongs to Volume - 69, Issue - 10]
Published on : 2024-10-03 13:03:31
Article Code: AMJ-03-10-2024-12301
Title : Microplastics and Phthalate Co-Exposure Synergistically Disrupt Thyroid Hormone Homeostasis Through Enhanced Gut Barrier Permeability and Systemic Inflammation
Author(s) : Dr. Thomas Anderson, Dr. Mei Wong
Abstract :
Environmental exposure to microplastics (MPs) and phthalates is ubiquitous, yet their combined endocrine effects are unexplored. We demonstrate that polystyrene microplastics (5 μm) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) synergistically impair thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism in murine models. Co-exposure disrupted intestinal tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-1), increasing gut permeability and systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation. TLR4-NFκB-mediated inflammation suppressed iodothyronine deiodinase activity and thyroid transcription factor expression. Fecal microbiota transplantation from exposed donors recapitulated thyroid dysfunction in recipient germ-free mice. These findings establish the gut-thyroid axis as a critical mediator of environmental endocrine disruption.