Microplastics in Pancreas: Oncologic and Metabolic Impact

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental contaminants that have been detected in several human tissues, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health. However, their presence in the human pancreas has not yet been investigated.

The aim of this prospective, single-center study is to detect and characterize microplastics in human pancreatic tissue obtained from patients undergoing pancreatic resection for benign or malignant diseases. Microplastics will also be analyzed in peripancreatic adipose tissue and peripheral blood. Advanced imaging techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, will be used for identification and characterization.

Secondary objectives include the evaluation of potential associations between microplastic burden and pancreatic metabolic function, assessed through clinical evaluation and metabolic testing. This proof-of-concept study aims to provide the first evidence of microplastic presence in the human pancreas and explore their potential role in metabolic dysfunction and carcinogenesis.