Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics are small synthetic organic polymer particles (<5 mm and <1 μm, respectively) that originate directly from plastic compounds or result from the degradation of plastic. These particles are a global concern because they are widely distributed in water, air, food, and soil, and recent scientific evidence has linked MPs to negative biological effects. Although these particles are difficult to detect in humans, MPs have been identified in different biological fluids and tissues, such as the placenta, lung, intestines, liver, blood, urine, and kidneys. Human exposure to MPs can occur by ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact, potentially causing metabolic alterations. Data from experimental and clinical studies have revealed that the ability of MPs to promote inflammation, oxidative stress, and organ dysfunction and negatively affect clinical outcomes is associated with their accumulation in body fluids and tissues. Although evidence of the putative action of MPs in the human kidney is still scarce, there is growing interest in studying MPs in this organ. In addition, chronic kidney disease requires investigation because this condition is potentially prone to MP accumulation. The purpose of the present article is (i) to review the general aspects of MP generation, available analytic methods for identification, and the main known biological toxic effects; and (ii) to describe and critically analyze key experimental and clinical studies that support a role of MPs in kidney disease.

中文翻译：

---

微塑料对肾脏的影响：叙述性评论


微塑料 (MP) 和纳米塑料是小型合成有机聚合物颗粒（分别小于 5 毫米和小于 1 微米），直接源自塑料化合物或塑料降解的结果。这些颗粒是全球关注的问题，因为它们广泛分布在水、空气、食物和土壤中，最近的科学证据已将 MP 与负面生物效应联系起来。尽管这些颗粒在人体中很难检测到，但已在不同的生物体液和组织中发现了 MP，例如胎盘、肺、肠、肝脏、血液、尿液和肾脏。人类可通过摄入、吸入或皮肤接触接触 MP，可能导致代谢改变。实验和临床研究的数据表明，MP 促进炎症、氧化应激和器官功能障碍并对临床结果产生负面影响的能力与其在体液和组织中的积累有关。尽管 MP 在人类肾脏中的假定作用的证据仍然很少，但人们对研究该器官中 MP 的兴趣日益浓厚。此外，慢性肾脏疾病也需要进行检查，因为这种疾病可能容易导致 MP 积聚。本文的目的是 (i) 综述 MP 生成的一般情况、可用的鉴定分析方法以及已知的主要生物毒性作用； (ii) 描述和批判性分析支持 MP 在肾脏疾病中的作用的关键实验和临床研究。