We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Swim in Plastics:Clean Nanoplastics Cause MinimalMortality but Alter Neurobehavioral and Molecular Rhythms in Fish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to three types of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface charges (plain, amino-modified, carboxyl-modified) and tracked biodistribution and developmental effects. Up to 10 ppm exposure caused minimal mortality but disrupted swim bladder inflation and affected neurological pathways including circadian rhythm genes, with surface charge determining tissue distribution.
Nanoplastics (NPs) pose potential ecological and health impacts. While previous studies have highlighted inconsistent toxicity levels of NPs, knowledge remains limited about the specific effects of different NPs on embryonic development, early life-stage behaviors, and bodily uptake. This study examines the effects of polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) with different surface charges, plain polystyrene (PS), amino-modified (PS-NH2), and carboxyl-modified (PS-COOH) on zebrafish early life stages. High-resolution 3D bioimaging confirmed differential internalization: PS-COOH accumulated in the yolk and intestine, while PS-NH2 localized mainly in the intestine. PS-NPs up to 10 ppm did not significantly affect mortality or hatching rates, likely due to effective dialysis, minimizing toxic chemical leaching. PS-NP exposure led to noninflated swim bladders and affected swimming. RNA sequencing identified impacted neurological molecular pathways like circadian rhythm and visual function; weighted gene coexpression network analysis indicated strong correlations between key gene modules and phenotypic traits like eye development and dopamine level. We highlight the low acute toxicity of clean dialyzed NPs despite bodily uptake and surface-charge-dependent sublethal neurotoxicity. Overall, plain PS-NPs induced significant individual-level effects, while charged PS-NPs caused stronger molecular-level alterations; toxicity profiles varied across biological levels, complicating hazard assessment and underscoring the need for population-level studies on ecological impacts.
More Papers Like This
Swim in Plastics: Clean Nanoplastics Cause Minimal Mortality but Alter Neurobehavioral and Molecular Rhythms in Fish
AI summary Read the abstract
This zebrafish study found that even clean nanoplastics with no added chemicals caused changes in behavior and disrupted the body's internal clock at the molecular level, despite not causing death. Different surface charges on the nanoplastics triggered different effects, with positively charged particles being the most disruptive. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can affect brain function and biological rhythms at exposure levels that might appear safe based on survival alone.
Uptake Routes and Biodistribution of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Zebrafish Larvae and Toxic Effects on Development
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics to study uptake routes and biodistribution. The study found that nanoplastics accumulated in target organs and caused toxic developmental effects, providing evidence that these tiny plastic fragments can penetrate biological barriers and interfere with normal development in aquatic organisms.
Size- and polymer-dependent effects of polystyrene and polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically compared polystyrene and polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics in zebrafish embryos and larvae, finding that nanoplastics caused mortality, impaired hatching, and disrupted swimming behavior at lower concentrations than microplastics, with surface adhesion to embryonic tissues emerging as a likely initiating mechanism for nanoplastic toxicity.
Nanoplastics Cause Neurobehavioral Impairments, Reproductive and Oxidative Damages, and Biomarker Responses in Zebrafish: Throwing up Alarms of Wide Spread Health Risk of Exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles accumulated in the brain, liver, intestine, and gonads, causing significant behavioral and physiological changes. The fish showed disrupted energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and altered locomotion, aggression, and predator avoidance behaviors. The findings raise concerns about the widespread health risks of nanoplastic exposure, as these particles are small enough to cross biological membranes.
Developmental toxicity of functionalized polystyrene microplastics and their inhibitory effects on fin regeneration in zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics with different surface modifications and found that all types caused developmental toxicity, including increased mortality, reduced body length, and impaired swimming ability. The amino-modified particles were generally the most harmful, also inhibiting fin regeneration after injury. The study suggests that surface chemistry plays a critical role in determining how microplastics interact with biological systems.
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.