Exposure to a chemical called MCNP, found in some plastics, is linked to a higher risk of a liver condition called MASLD in teenagers, and part of this link may be due to increased levels of white...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
A chemical from plastics causes more white blood cells to circulate, which inflames the liver and makes it store too much fat. Another chemical might cause fat buildup by messing with the liver’s hormone signals, but that doesn’t involve white blood cells. The first pathway is the most likely...
Most probable mechanism
When a specific chemical from plastics enters the body, it triggers an increase in white blood cells, which cause low-grade inflammation in the liver. This inflammation disrupts how the liver handles fats, leading to excess fat buildup and liver damage.
Phthalate metabolites enter the bloodstream and activate immune cells, leading to increased production and circulation of white blood cells
Elevated white blood cells migrate to the liver and release inflammatory signaling molecules that disrupt normal metabolic processes
Inflammatory signals impair lipid breakdown and enhance lipid synthesis in liver cells, causing fat to accumulate
Persistent fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver lead to metabolic dysfunction and tissue damage characteristic of MASLD
Less supported by current evidence, but not ruled out
Another chemical found in plastics can bind to hormone receptors in the liver, changing how genes control fat storage and energy use, which leads to fat buildup without necessarily involving white blood cells.
Bisphenol A binds to estrogen and fat-regulating receptors in liver cells
Receptor binding alters gene activity to increase fat production and reduce fat breakdown
Mitochondrial function declines, increasing oxidative stress and further promoting fat storage
Fat accumulation and cellular stress lead to liver dysfunction and MASLD
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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