We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxicity Impact of Polyethylene Microplastics on Biochemical Parameters and Oxidative Stress in Benni Fish (Barbus sharpeyi)
AI summary Read the abstract
Benni fish exposed to increasing concentrations of polyethylene microplastics showed significant liver enzyme disruption, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and clear signs of oxidative damage in their cells. These dose-dependent biochemical changes suggest that microplastic exposure causes systemic physiological stress in fish, raising concerns about the health of species humans consume.
This study evaluated the effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) on the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in Benni fish (Barbus sharpeyi). Fingerlings (average weight: 10 ± 2 g, length: 6 ± 1 cm) were exposed to PE-MP concentrations of 0, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/L for 21 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Biochemical analyses revealed significant increases in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, particularly at higher PE-MP concentrations. A significant increase was observed in albumin levels in fish plasma after exposure to 400, 800, and 1600 mg/L of PE-MPs. Cholesterol levels in fish plasma exposed to 400, 800, and 1600 mg/L of PE-MPs were significantly higher than in the control group. Elevated levels of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine were also observed, with minimal changes in globulin levels. Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), were significantly increased in the hepatocytes, while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and thiol levels decreased. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly elevated, indicating lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage. The change in the integrated biomarker response (IBR) index was dose-dependent, and the highest IBR stress was observed at 1600 mg/L PE-MPs. Significant changes in oxidative stress biomarkers and blood biochemical parameters of Barbus sharpeyi indicated the potentially toxic effects of MPs in aquatic environments. These results provided clear evidence of the hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and oxidative stress effects of PE-MPs.
More Papers Like This
Impact of Microplastics and Nanomaterials on Fish Health: Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how exposure to microplastics, pesticides, and nanoparticles triggers oxidative stress in fish by generating reactive oxygen species, and examine how fish antioxidant defense mechanisms respond to these combined environmental stressors with implications for seafood safety and aquatic health.
Ecotoxicity Assessment of Microplastics on Aquatic Life
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics on aquatic life across marine and freshwater systems, finding that organisms at multiple trophic levels ingest plastic particles, leading to physical harm, chemical toxicity, and secondary effects that propagate through food webs.
Ecotoxicological Consequences of Microplastics in Aquatic Life
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics — tiny plastic particles under 5mm — harm aquatic ecosystems, documenting that fish, invertebrates, and other marine life can ingest them, leading to physical damage, toxic chemical exposure, and disruptions to feeding and reproduction.
Microplastic Toxicity in Aquatic Organisms and Aquatic Ecosystems: a Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics move through aquatic food webs, finding evidence that these particles accumulate across trophic levels, but noted that most toxicity studies are conducted in labs rather than real ecosystems, leaving major gaps in understanding the true ecological and human health risks.
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.