{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,18]],"date-time":"2026-10-18T10:42:28Z","timestamp":1792320148992,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":47,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"21","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,27]],"date-time":"2025-10-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1761523200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The global spread of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) has emerged as an environmental and medical concern, with growing evidence of their role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). These particles, originating from the degradation of larger plastics and consumer products, can be ingested or inhaled, cross biological barriers, and accumulate in human tissues, including blood, myocardium, and atherosclerotic plaques. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that MNPs contribute to CVD through multiple mechanisms: activation of systemic inflammation and inflammasomes, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, prothrombotic activity, and direct myocardial injury, ultimately promoting fibrosis and impaired contractility. Epidemiological data further indicate that populations exposed to higher plastic pollution or with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors may be particularly vulnerable. Taken together, these findings identify MNPs as a potential novel environmental cardiovascular risk factor. Advancing detection methods, mechanistic research, and public health strategies will be essential to mitigate their impact and reduce plastic-related cardiovascular burden.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14217618","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,29]],"date-time":"2025-10-29T09:16:24Z","timestamp":1761729384000},"page":"7618","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":16,"title":["Microplastics, Nanoplastics and Heart Contamination: The Hidden Threat"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Gian Luca","family":"Iannuzzi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Local Health Autorithy, Service of Cardiology, 82100 Benevento, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5729-1038","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Michele","family":"D\u2019Alto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Giorgio","family":"Bosso","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Emergency Medicine, Santa Maria Delle Grazie Hospital, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Antonio Pio","family":"Montella","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Veronica","family":"D\u2019Oria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"UOC Cardiac Surgery Vanvitelli, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luigi","family":"Pellegrino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Giuseppe","family":"Boccaforno","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alessandro","family":"Masi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Antonio","family":"Orlando","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Renato","family":"Franco","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrea","family":"Ronchi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Carmine","family":"Nicastro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"UOC Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Pathology, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marisa","family":"De Feo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abbas, G., Ahmed, U., and Ahmad, M.A. (2025). 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