Evaluating Chromatographic Strategies for Quantifying Cardiovascular Micro- and Nanoplastics

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are being increasingly reported within human biofluids and tissues, especially cardiovascular-relevant specimens, making their reliable detection and quantification a requirement for clinically meaningful research in cardiology. Human-derived matrices are analytically challenging, however, for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they are often available in limited amounts, rich in lipids and proteins, highly susceptible to background contamination, and subject to matrix-driven interferences which may prejudice polymer identification and quantification, especially for submicron fractions. ⁽¹⁾

As a response, researchers developed a method-focused overview of the analytical toolbox most frequently used for MNPs assessment in biologically relevant and human samples, with specific attention to cardiovascular applications. Their study involved the comparison of particle-resolved vibrational approaches (including micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [µ-FTIR], Raman microscopy [µ-Raman], and quantum cascade laser [QCL]-based laser direct infrared [IR] spectroscopy) that deliver polymer identification alongside particle counts, size proxies, and morphology, and mass-based strategies (double-shot pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry [DS-PyGC-MS] and targeted depolymerization coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry [LC-MS/MS]) that provide polymer-specific mass burdens suited to exposure metrics and clinical correlations. A paper based on their work was published in Polish Heart Journal. ⁽¹⁾

While plastics have become an important part of modern society because of their durability, versatility, and low cost, their chemical stability and resistance to degradation has also led to long-term environmental persistence. ⁽²⁾ Micro- and nanoplastics originate from primary sources, such as particles intentionally produced at microscopic sizes (for example, industrial pellets or microbeads), as well as secondary sources resulting from the fragmentation of larger plastic debris through physical, chemical, and biological processes. ⁽³⁾Fragmentation is primarily a result of ultraviolet radiation, thermo-oxidation, mechanical stress, and biofouling, whereas continuous “wear-and-tear” emissions arise from normal day-to-day activities, such as the laundering of synthetic textiles, abrasion of household materials, and tire and road wear. ⁽⁴⁾

Human exposure to MNPs occurs primarily through inhalation and ingestion; dermal uptake may play a role in specific contexts but remains less well quantified. ⁽¹⁾ Other researchers have confirmed the presence of MNPs in several human tissues and biological matrices, including (but not limited to) the lungs, liver, kidneys, colon, blood, and feces. ^(5-7) Previous studies have confirmed the presence of MNPs in human carotid artery plaques, and their detection has been associated with higher rates of subsequent cardiovascular (CV) events in a prospective cohort. ⁽⁸⁾ The central challenge, from a cardiology perspective, is to move from presence to reliable, comparable exposure metrics in blood and vascular specimens which can be evaluated against inflammation, thrombosis, plaque vulnerability, and clinical outcomes. ^(9,10)

The resulting paper also discusses representative studies, including recent analyses of atheromatous plaques, coronary blood, thrombi, and other human tissue where polymer burden, morphology, and size have been investigated in relation to adverse health outcomes. In addition, the authors outlined the main advantages and limitations of each technique compared, emphasizing practical factors that influence data quality and comparability across studies. ⁽¹⁾

“Reliable measurement of MNPs in human and CV matrices is best achieved through a complementary, multimodal analytical strategy,” according to the authors of the study. ⁽¹⁾ “Particle-resolved techniques such as µ-FTIR, LDIR, and µ-Raman are essential for confirming polymer identity while retaining information on particle size and morphology, whereas mass-based approaches, particularly double-shot Py–GC/MS and, for selected polymers, depolymerization coupled to LC–MS/MS, provide polymer-specific burden metrics that are often more suitable for clinically oriented analyses.” ⁽¹⁾

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References

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