Evaluating the Efficacy of Antioxidant Therapies in Mitigating Chronic Microplastic-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation

Research Paper | 2026 | Volume 1 | Issue 01 | Page 20-30

Evaluating the Efficacy of Antioxidant Therapies in Mitigating Chronic Microplastic-Induce.

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1. Dr. Manoj Kumar, Tutor, Department of Physiology, JHMC, WB

2. Dr. Shahan Layek, Independent Researcher, West Bengal, India

3. Dr. Fsail Rahman, Dubai Medical College, UAE

Corresponding Author:-

Dr. Manoj Kumar

Tutor, Department of Physiology

JHMC, WB

Abstract

Widespread environmental contamination has made microplastic (MP) inhalation a chronic route of human exposure, leading to persistent foreign-body reactions within respiratory tissues. Recent toxicological research indicates that these microparticles drive cell damage primarily by triggering persistent oxidative stress. This study evaluates the efficacy of targeted antioxidant therapies in mitigating chronic MP-induced pulmonary inflammation over a six-month evaluation period. Lab models were exposed to a simulated atmosphere containing realistic concentrations of weathered polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics (0.5 to 5.0 micrometers). This exposure led to a significant accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which triggered the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, increased the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha), and caused notable thickening of the alveolar walls. To combat these effects, three treatment strategies were tested: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and mitochondrial-targeted MitoQ. While all treatments lowered general oxidative stress indicators, the mitochondrial-targeted formulation (MitoQ) showed the highest efficacy. MitoQ successfully stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced macrophage infiltration by sixty-four percent, and significantly curbed the progression of chronic microplastic-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Conversely, traditional dietary antioxidants like Vitamin E provided only minor protective benefits against continuous microparticle irritation. These findings prove that microplastic toxicity is heavily linked to cellular energy disruption and structural mitochondrial damage. The results suggest that advanced organelle-specific antioxidant therapies offer a viable medical strategy to protect communities facing chronic environmental or industrial microplastic inhalation.

Keywords: Microplastics, Pulmonary Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Therapies, MitoQ, Mitochondrial Dysfunction.