We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Acute In Vitro Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Cell Viability, Oxidative Status, and DNA Integrity in Zebrafish Erythrocytes
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed fish blood cells to polystyrene microplastics (a common plastic found in packaging and utensils) in a lab dish and found that within just 30 to 90 minutes, the plastic particles killed cells, damaged their DNA, and triggered harmful oxidative stress. While this study used fish cells rather than human ones, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics—which we regularly ingest and inhale—may pose real risks to our cells' health, making the case for further research on human exposure.
In recent decades, intensified human activities, including industrialization and urban expansion, have given rise to significant environmental challenges, with plastic pollution emerging as a critical concern. Microplastics, particularly those derived from polystyrene (PS-MPs), are widespread in soils and oceans, posing risks to biodiversity and human health through ingestion, inhalation, and contact. This study examined the detrimental impact of PS-MPs on Zebrafish-Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822) erythrocytes. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a well-established model organism in biomedical research, whereas its erythrocytes served as the cellular model investigated in this study. In vitro experiments involved exposing zebrafish erythrocytes, isolated from 25 adult zebrafish, to 105 µg/mL of PS-MPs for 30, 60 and 90 min to assess cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress. The results revealed a time-dependent and statistically significant reduction in erythrocyte viability (−30% to −50%), genomic stability (%GTS −20% to −40%), and a concomitant increase in DNA damage (DFI ~30–38%) and ROS production (~27–35%) compared to controls (all p ≤ 0.05). These molecular disruptions related to reduced cell viability, indicating that PS-MPs are cytotoxic and genotoxic, causing genetic damage and oxidative imbalance. The results obtained confirmed the toxicity of PS-MPs. These data suggest that PS-MPs can interfere with genetic material by inducing apoptosis through oxidative imbalance.
More Papers Like This
Genotoxic and Oxidative Damage of Environmental Pollutant Microplastics on Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics at different concentrations for up to 21 days to measure oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study found that both types of microplastics disrupted the antioxidant system and caused measurable DNA damage, with effects depending on dosage and exposure time. These results suggest that microplastics in waterways could pose genetic and cellular risks to aquatic life.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics Induce Time-Dependent Cytotoxic, Cytoskeletal and Oxidative Stress-Associated Responses in Rainbow Trout Gill Epithelial Cells
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed rainbow trout gill cells in a lab dish to tiny polystyrene plastic particles for 24 or 72 hours. At the highest dose, the cells showed damage to their outer membranes and internal structure, along with signs of chemical stress, and these effects changed depending on how long the exposure lasted.
Toxicity and Functional Tissue Responses of Two Freshwater Fish after Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish and perch to polystyrene microplastics for 21 days and assessed tissue-level damage using a battery of biomarkers. They found that the microplastics caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, and activated cell death pathways in both gill and liver tissues. The study suggests that gills are more sensitive to microplastic exposure than liver tissue for most measured parameters, with DNA damage being the most responsive biomarker overall.
Sub-chronic toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in Danio rerio: evidence from hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress, and histopathological biomarkers
AI summary Read the abstract
Zebrafish exposed to polystyrene microplastics for 20 days showed blood changes, lower blood sugar and protein levels, and increased oxidative damage in the gills. The fish also showed altered antioxidant activity, reduced brain enzyme function linked to nervous system signaling, and tissue damage in the gills, gut, and brain.
Impact of sub-chronic polystyrene nanoplastics exposure on hematology, histology, and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Nile tilapia to polystyrene nanoplastics for an extended period and found the particles caused blood cell changes, tissue damage in the liver and gills, and activated stress responses in cellular structures called the endoplasmic reticulum. Even the lowest concentration tested, which matches levels found in the environment, triggered harmful effects. Since tilapia is one of the most consumed farmed fish worldwide, these results highlight potential food safety concerns from nanoplastic contamination in aquaculture.
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.