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Comprehensive review of ecological risks and toxicity mechanisms of microplastics in freshwater: Focus on zebrafish as a model organism
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This comprehensive review examines how microplastics affect zebrafish, a widely used laboratory model, covering impacts on the gut, liver, reproductive system, nervous system, and immune function. Researchers found that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gut bacteria across multiple organ systems. The review highlights that zebrafish studies provide valuable insights into the biological mechanisms by which microplastics may affect freshwater organisms and, potentially, human health.
Zebrafish, as a model organism, exhibit high sensitivity to environmental pollutants and has been widely used in microplastics (MPs) toxicology studies. However, the mechanisms underlying MPs' effects on zebrafish have yet to be comprehensively summarized. This review systematically explores the sources, pollution status of freshwater MPs and their biological toxicity mechanisms using zebrafish as a model organism. This analysis reveals that the primary sources of MPs include sediment release, natural degradation of plastic products, and precipitation-mediated transport. Freshwater MPs predominantly comprise of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These MPs typically appear transparent, white, black, or blue, and predominantly exist as fibers, films, fragments, foams, and particles. The concentration, size, shape, type, aging status, and loading capacity of MPs can induce developmental malformations in zebrafish embryos, including pericardial and yolk sac edema. In adult zebrafish, MPs cause intestinal injuries characterized by increased permeability, impaired barrier function, and microbiota dysbiosis. MPs exposure also induces behavioral abnormalities such as reduced locomotion and anxiety-like responses, while simultaneously provoking oxidative stress and immune-inflammatory reactions. The physical mechanism of MPs-induced toxicity in zebrafish involves particle accumulation and tissue abrasion. In contrast, physiological and molecular mechanisms encompass interactions between MPs' surface functional groups and biological tissues, alterations in oxidative stress markers, enzymatic activity and cytokine profiles, and modulation of gene expression patterns. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the ecological risks of freshwater MP pollution and its toxicological impacts on zebrafish, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for understanding MP toxicity mechanisms.
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Adult zebrafish exposed to microplastics showed changes in liver gene expression, gut and gill tissue damage, and altered swimming behavior, indicating that microplastic exposure triggers multiple biological stress responses. The study highlights the relevance of zebrafish as a model for assessing microplastic toxicity.
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