Effects of Dietary Polystyrene Microplastics on Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors

NCT06247579 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Dietary
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this clinical trial is to explore the potential impact of dietary polystyrene microplastics on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in resident physicians. Specifically, the study aims to address two key questions:

1. 1.Can dietary polystyrene microplastics induce alterations in the human gut microbiome?
2. 2.Can dietary polystyrene microplastics exacerbate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors?

Conditions

Depression, Anxiety

Keywords

Gut microbiome; Anxiety; Depression; Polystyrene microplastics

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Assessing mental status using the depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire

  In this study, the researchers utilized the Chinese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), a widely recognized and reliable instrument for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress. This comprehensive tool is divided into three sections, each dedicated to evaluating the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The depression scale scores range from 0 to 21, with normal scores falling below 4. Anxiety scores also range from 0 to 21, with normal scores below 3. For stress, scores range from 0 to 18, with scores below 7 considered normal. Higher scores on any of these scales indicate elevated levels of depression, anxiety, or stress. In this research, the DASS-21 was employed to monitor the variations in anxiety and depression-like behaviors among the two groups, both at baseline and after the treatment period.

  At the baseline and end of this clinical trial an average of two months. the enrolled participants will be asked to complete the DASS-21 questionnaire.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Alterations in human gut microbial diversity investigated through 16S rRNA

  At the beginning and conclusion of this clinical trial, spanning an average duration of two months, the enrolled participants will be asked to provide fecal samples

Study Arms (2)

The control group

NO INTERVENTION

The control group, consisting of resident physicians, will use non-disposable plastic tableware (NDPT) provided by hospital canteens for two months.

The exposure group

EXPERIMENTAL

The exposure group, also comprising resident physicians, will use disposable plastic tableware (DPT) made of polystyrene, provided by the same hospital canteens for two months

Other: Dietary polystyrene microplastics from disposable plastic tableware

Interventions

Dietary polystyrene microplastics from disposable plastic tableware OTHER

Microplastic release from the daily use of disposable plastic materials (e.g., plastic boxes) when holding hot food or drink.

The exposure group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Volunteer resident physician at the base of Northern Jiangsu Hospital, Yangzhou, China

You may not qualify if:

• received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery in the 3 -6 months before sampling
• diagnosed with mental illness
• diagnosed with digestive system diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ju Gao

Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225001, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: M.D.; attending doctor

Model Details: The exposure group will use disposable plastic tableware (DPT) made of polystyrene, provided by the hospital canteens for two months

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 7, 2024
• First Posted: February 8, 2024
• Study Start: January 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 25, 2024
• Study Completion: May 1, 2024
• Last Updated: August 22, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-08

Locations

CN (1)