The aim of this study was to identify and quantify microplastics in blood, stool, and tumor surgical specimens from gastric cancer patients by analyzing the nature, type, and abundance of microplastics using laser direct infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Meanwhile, combining macro-genomic and metabolomic techniques to explore the association between microplastics and host microbiota and metabolic profiles, and to reveal the potential effects of microplastics on gastric cancer incidence and development will provide new insights into the relationship between microplastic contamination and gastric cancer, as well as an important scientific basis for future public health strategies and cancer prevention and control measures.
This This study is planned to collect blood, cancer and paracancer tissues, and stool samples from 20 patients with gastric cancer, 2 gastric cancer tissues (at least 1cm\^3 each), 2 gastric paracancer tissues (at least 1cm\^3 each), 2 venous bloods (5ml each), and 1 stool (at least 10g each) from each patient. Samples will be collected from December 2024 through November 2025, with an expected total of 140 samples. Sample collection, transportation, and storage are described in IV.2. \& 3. Samples will be analyzed for the type, nature, and abundance of microplastics by Laser Direct Infrared Spectroscopy (LDIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), which is expected to detect microplastics such as polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). At the same time, blood and tissue samples will be metabolomically assayed using NNR-IVD technology and macro-genomic sequencing will be performed to explore potential associations between microplastics and microbiota and metabolic pathways in gastric cancer patients. By analyzing the distribution characteristics of microplastics in gastric cancer patients and their relationship with microbial communities and metabolic pathways, this study will reveal the impact of microplastics on the tumor microenvironment and further understand their role in gastric cancer development and progression.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
20
Patients diagnosed with gastric cancer by pathological biopsy.
The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China
Types of microplastics in gastric cancerous and paracancerous tissues (categorical measure)
Polymer types of microplastics in gastric tissues Time Frame: Intraoperative sampling Measuring tool: μ-FTIR spectroscopy Unit: Categorical classification (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.)
Time frame: The date of microplastics testing, assessed up to 1 week after surgery.
Physical-chemical properties of microplastics in gastric cancerous and paracancerous tissues (continuous measure)
Morphological characteristics of microplastics in gastric tissues Time Frame: Intraoperative sampling Measuring tool: Optical microscopy Unit: Size (μm), shape distribution (%)
Time frame: The date of microplastics testing, assessed up to 1 week after surgery.
Abundance of microplastics in gastric cancerous and paracancerous tissues (count/particles per gram)
Microplastic abundance in gastric tissues Time Frame: Intraoperative sampling Measuring tool: Gravimetric analysis/particle counting Unit: Particles per gram tissue
Time frame: The date of microplastics testing, assessed up to 1 week after surgery.
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