With the reported ability of microplastics (MPs) to act as “Trojan horses” carrying other environmental contaminants, the focus of researches has shifted from their ubiquitous occurrence to interactive toxicity. In this review, we provided the latest knowledge on the processes and mechanisms of interaction between MPs and co-contaminants (heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pathogens, nanomaterials and other contaminants) and discussed the influencing factors (environmental conditions and characteristics of polymer and contaminants) that affect the adsorption/desorption process. In addition, the bio-toxicological outcomes of mixtures are elaborated based on the damaging effects on the intestinal barrier. Our review showed that the interaction processes and toxicological outcomes of mixture are complex and variable, and the intestinal barrier should receive more attention as the first line of defensing against MPs and environmental contaminants invasion. Moreover, we pointed out several knowledge gaps in this new research area and suggested directions for future studies in order to understand the multiple factors involved, such as epidemiological assessment, nanoplastics, mechanisms for toxic alteration and the fate of mixtures after desorption.

据报道，微塑料 (MPs) 能够充当携带其他环境污染物的“特洛伊木马”，研究的重点已从它们的普遍存在转向相互作用的毒性。在这篇综述中，我们提供了关于 MPs 与共污染物（重金属、持久性有机污染物、病原体、纳米材料和其他污染物）相互作用的过程和机制的最新知识，并讨论了影响因素（环境条件和聚合物和污染物）影响吸附/解吸过程。此外，根据对肠道屏障的破坏作用，详细阐述了混合物的生物毒理学结果。我们的审查表明，混合物的相互作用过程和毒理学结果是复杂多变的，肠道屏障作为抵御 MPs 和环境污染物入侵的第一道防线应受到更多关注。此外，我们指出了这一新研究领域的一些知识空白，并提出了未来研究的方向，以了解所涉及的多种因素，例如流行病学评估、纳米塑料、毒性改变机制以及解吸后混合物的命运。