They also exposed cultured human endothelial cells to microplastics and observed the same phenomenon. “We found endothelial cells were the most affected by microplastic exposure,” Zhou said in the statement. “We would like to investigate how different types or sizes of microplastics affect vascular cells,” said Zhou. “We will also look into the molecular mechanisms behind endothelial dysfunction and explore how microplastics affect male and female arteries differently. As microplastic pollution continues to rise worldwide, understanding its impacts on human health — including heart disease — is becoming more urgent than ever.”More on microplastics: Bugs Fed Microplastics Grow to Ludicrous Size