https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240415163703.htm
"In a paper published in the journal Cell Biology & Toxicology in 2021, Castillo and other UNM researchers found that when macrophages encountered and ingested microplastics, their function was altered and they released inflammatory molecules.
"It is changing the metabolism of the cells, which can alter inflammatory responses," Castillo says. "During intestinal inflammation -- states of chronic illness such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease -- these macrophages become more inflammatory and they're more abundant in the gut.""
If ME makes our macrophages more responsive, extra stress from microplastics probably isn't helpful. I doubt that this is the cause of ME, but it could make some people worse than they otherwise would be.
"In a paper published in the journal Cell Biology & Toxicology in 2021, Castillo and other UNM researchers found that when macrophages encountered and ingested microplastics, their function was altered and they released inflammatory molecules.
"It is changing the metabolism of the cells, which can alter inflammatory responses," Castillo says. "During intestinal inflammation -- states of chronic illness such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease -- these macrophages become more inflammatory and they're more abundant in the gut.""
If ME makes our macrophages more responsive, extra stress from microplastics probably isn't helpful. I doubt that this is the cause of ME, but it could make some people worse than they otherwise would be.