Obesogenic polystyrene microplastic exposures disrupt the gut-liver-adipose axis.

Microplastics (MP) derived from the weathering of polymers, or synthesized in this size range, have become widespread environmental contaminants and have found their way into water supplies and the food chain. Despite this awareness, little is known about the health consequences of MP ingestion. We have previously shown that the consumption of polystyrene (PS) beads was associated with intestinal dysbiosis and diabetes and obesity in mice.

Can Zinc Supplementation Attenuate High Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prevalent chronic liver disease, is associated with zinc deficiency. Previous studies show zinc supplementation improves steatosis and glucose metabolism, but its therapeutic effects in patients with established NAFLD remain unclear. We developed an in vivo model to characterize the effects of zinc supplementation on high-fat diet (HFD) induced NAFLD and hypothesized that the established NAFLD would be attenuated by zinc supplementation.