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Polystyrene nanoplastics act as endocrine disruptors altering neurotransmitter levels and locomotor activity via estrogen receptor during early zebrafish development
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Researchers showed that polystyrene nanoplastics act as endocrine disruptors in developing zebrafish by activating estrogen receptor pathways, causing reduced dopamine neuron area, increased brain cell death, and impaired movement — effects that were reversed when the estrogen receptor was blocked.
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) are emerging endocrine disruptors with significant neurotoxic potential. This study evaluates the impact of PSNP exposure on neurotransmitter levels, locomotor activity, and gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae, with a focus on estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathways using the antagonist ICI 182,720 (ICI). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying PSNP concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL) with or without 10 µM ICI co-incubation from 2 to 120 hpf. PSNP exposure significantly reduced TH-positive neuron area, increased apoptosis in the brain, impaired locomotor activity, and increased anxiety-like behavior. These effects were associated with downregulated dopaminergic gene expression (th1, th2, dat, ddc), upregulated apoptotic markers (tp53, casp3, casp9, bax), and decreased anti-apoptotic bcl2a expression. Additionally, PSNPs significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Interestingly, co-incubation with ICI reversed neurotransmitter levels, reducing brain apoptosis, normalized locomotor responses, gene expression changes, and brought AChE activity back to control levels, indicating that the neurotoxic effects of PSNPs are mediated through ER pathways. This study provides evidence that PSNPs act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with neurotransmitter signaling, promoting brain apoptosis, and altering behavior via ER pathways during early zebrafish development.
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Impacts of Environmental Concentrations of Nanoplastics on Zebrafish Neurobehavior and Reproductive Toxicity
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to environmentally realistic levels of polystyrene nanoplastics and found they caused both brain and reproductive damage. The nanoplastics disrupted neurotransmitter signaling and impaired the hormonal pathway connecting the brain to reproductive organs, with different effects in males and females. These findings suggest that even low-level nanoplastic exposure could affect both brain function and fertility in aquatic life that humans may consume.
Female zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces reproductive toxicity in mother and their offspring
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Researchers exposed female zebrafish to polystyrene nanoplastics for six weeks and found the particles disrupted sex hormone levels and oocyte development, reducing egg production in the exposed generation and carrying endocrine disruption effects into unexposed offspring through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics with different particle sizes at environment-related concentrations on early zebrafish embryos
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes at concentrations found in the environment and observed significant brain damage. The nanoplastics caused loss of neurons, shortened nerve fibers, and disrupted brain signaling systems that control behavior. Smaller nanoplastics caused the most severe damage because they could pass through protective barriers more easily, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to brain development.
Adverse adult-onset and multigenerational effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio) developmentally exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics
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Researchers raised zebrafish exposed to nanoplastics during early development through to adulthood and found lasting reproductive impairment, heritable hyperactivity in offspring, and molecular changes in male reproductive and brain tissue linked to neurodegenerative disease pathways and endocrine disruption, demonstrating that brief developmental nanoplastic exposure can cause multigenerational harm.
Polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics induce neurotoxicity in zebrafish via oxidative stress and neurotransmitter disruption
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that both particle sizes caused neurodevelopmental toxicity, with nanoplastics being more potent. The plastic particles induced oxidative stress in the brain and disrupted neurotransmitter levels critical for normal neural development. The study suggests that microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in aquatic environments may pose significant risks to the neurological development of fish.
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