Chemicals Hidden in Plastics We Use Every Day Have a Disturbing Effect on Our Body’s Internal Clock
Years of studies have confirmed that plastics have dire consequences for the environment. However, some consequences appear to be still under wraps. One of these was described in detail within the study published in Environment International. This impact was noted in human cells, stated The Guardian.
Researchers noted in their examination that the chemicals present in plastics can disrupt a human's 24-hour sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythm. According to examinations, it delayed the body clock up to 17 minutes. Circadian rhythm or internal clock is essentially defined as a body's molecular clock, which monitors an individual's alertness and tiredness in response to conditions like daylight and darkness. Such disruptions can increase the risk of ailments like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia amongst individuals.
The internal clock controls functions like sleep, metabolism, and cell repair in the human body, stated U.S. Right To Know. For the exercise, cells were taken from a human bone cancer (osteosarcoma) cell line. Researchers noted peculiarities in adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) when it interacted with plastic compounds. Past studies have already found the receptor's associations with the sleep-wake cycle and determined that it uses the same pathways that are responsible for reacting to light in the human body.
Caffeine found in coffee blocks A1 receptor (A1R), which keeps people awake. However, in this exercise, the effect was opposite. Plastic compounds activated the receptor, which in turn lowered levels of a molecule that aids in running a body's internal clock smoothly. Researchers found that two 'clock genes' in total were delayed. The team verified the findings by blocking A1 receptor (A1R), which returned the internal clock to normal.
The study primarily dealt with polyurethane (PUR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, which are used in everyday objects. These plastics are found in items like cling film and snack pouches. The team claims that the compounds in these plastics specifically disturbed a cell signal called A1R, which is linked to sleep and light. The examination stands apart from past studies, which focused on hormone-related effects. Here, the concentration was just on the changes acquired by key 'clock genes.'
Researchers found that not only are these compounds disrupting the rhythm of the human body's internal clock, but they are also facilitating sustained changes in a variety of cells. "Circadian rhythms are one outcome affected by the biological pathway initiated by A1R, but not the only one. This work really demonstrates how much we still have to learn about exactly how plastic chemicals can affect our cells," lead author Molly Young McPartland said.
The examination took place for two days in total, over four hours each day. The setup was in vitro, meaning that the cells were outside the body. Hence, researchers want to conduct further examinations to ensure that the results are accurate. However, they believe their findings warrant a fundamental change in the making of plastics. "A fundamental shift in the design and production of plastics is essential to ensure their safety. Reducing both the number and the hazards of chemicals in plastics can decrease exposures and lessen their impacts on public health," the authors shared.