We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Thirty Weeks of Microplastics Exposure Alters Muscle Quality in Grass Carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) Revealed by Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed grass carp (a common food fish) to microplastics for 30 weeks and found that it altered hundreds of genes and chemical processes in the fish's muscle—the part we actually eat—leading to signs of stress, inflammation, and changes in tissue structure. Since microplastics are already widespread in rivers, lakes, and fish farms, this research suggests that long-term exposure could affect the quality and safety of fish on our plates, though more research is needed to understand what this means for people who eat them.
Microplastics (MPs) are tiny particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm generated from the breakdown of plastic waste. In recent years, MPs have extensively entered aquatic environments and accumulated in fish tissues, including the intestine, liver, kidney, and muscle. Previous studies have demonstrated that MP exposure can damage fish organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, gills, and liver, and may pose potential health risks to humans through the food chain. However, the toxicological effects of long-term MP exposure on the muscle tissue of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), an important edible fish species, remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approach to investigate the molecular pathways and metabolic processes in grass carp muscle under 30-week long-term MP exposure. At the transcriptomic level, a total of 1549 genes were upregulated, whereas 1777 genes were downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that 66.6% of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assigned to cellular components (CC), with the extracellular space and extracellular region being the most significantly enriched terms. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways were significantly affected. At the metabolomic level, 118 metabolites were significantly upregulated, whereas 132 metabolites were significantly downregulated, with heterocyclic compounds, alcohols, and amines being notably decreased. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these differential metabolites were primarily involved in ABC transporters, sphingolipid metabolism, and d-amino acid metabolism pathways. Integrated analysis suggested that long-term MP exposure induces ECM remodeling and membrane lipid metabolism abnormalities by modulating ECM-related genes and signaling pathways, and may compromise fish muscle quality through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Overall, this study provides novel evidence for the toxicological effects and molecular mechanisms underlying long-term MP exposure and offers important insights for sustainable aquaculture practices and food safety risk assessment.
More Papers Like This
The effects of exposure to microplastics on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic levels
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed grass carp to microplastics at two concentrations for 21 days and observed liver damage, inhibited growth, and increased oxidative stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed over 1,500 differentially expressed genes related to immune response, metabolism, and cellular stress pathways. The study suggests that microplastic exposure can trigger broad physiological and molecular disruptions in freshwater fish.
Thirty weeks exposure reveals the damaging effects of microplastics: Histology, immunity and intestinal microbiota of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists fed grass carp (a common freshwater fish) tiny plastic particles for seven months and found real damage: harmed spleen and gut tissue, disrupted immune system signals, and a shift in gut bacteria toward harmful types that could make the fish more prone to infection. Since these fish are part of the food chain and similar plastic pollution exists in waterways worldwide, this research is an early warning sign about how the microplastics we're increasingly exposed to through food and water might affect gut health and immunity in animals—and potentially in us too, though more research is needed to confirm effects in humans.
Exposure to microplastics induces lower survival, oxidative stress, disordered microbiota and altered metabolism in the intestines of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
AI summary Read the abstract
Grass carp exposed to environmental concentrations of microplastics (32-40 micrometers, 100 and 1000 micrograms per liter) for 21 days showed reduced survival, elevated oxidative stress markers, disrupted gut microbiota, and altered intestinal metabolism. Microplastics were detected in intestinal tissue at both concentrations, indicating accumulation and systemic effects.
Adverse effects of polystyrene microplastics in the freshwater commercial fish, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): Emphasis on physiological response and intestinal microbiome
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed grass carp to different sizes and concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for up to 14 days, followed by a depuration period, and assessed physiological and intestinal microbiome effects. The study found that microplastics caused histological damage, oxidative stress, and shifts in gut microbial communities, with smaller particles and higher concentrations producing more severe effects.
Evidence of Microplastics in Gut Content of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Fingerlings and their Effects on Growth Performance and Body Composition
AI summary Read the abstract
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fingerlings were fed diets containing 1-9% biodegradable microplastics for 60 days to assess effects on growth performance, body composition, nutrient digestibility, and gut microplastics content. The study found microplastic contamination in gut contents across all treatment groups, with dose-dependent effects on fish health metrics.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.