Mechanisms underlying Th2-dominant pneumonia caused by plastic pollution derivatives (PPD): A molecular toxicology investigation that encompasses gut microbiomics and lung metabolomics

An investigation was conducted by researchers on how dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and polystyrene microplastics (PS-MP) influence the development of pneumonia using a mouse model. For a duration of five weeks, the mice were subjected to exposure of DBP (30 mg/kg/day) and PS-MP (0.1 mg/day). The findings indicated notable pathological alterations in airway tissues, increased oxidative stress levels, and intensified inflammation, thereby establishing a connection between plastic pollution and pneumonia. Further examination indicated the involvement of ferroptosis and oxidative stress in the progression of the disease. Administration of deferoxamine (DFO) (100 mg/kg) resulted in symptom relief and reduced pathological alterations, as validated by metabolomic investigations. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered a Th2-mediated eosinophilic inflammatory response, marked by elevated IL-4 and reduced IFN-γ via the NFκB pathway. Moreover, analyses of the gut microbiome and metabolomics demonstrated that PPD modifies microbial populations and pulmonary metabolism, linking its effects on pneumonia through the gut-lung axis. This research highlights the health hazards associated with plastic pollution and proposes a framework for tackling these issues.