0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Food & Water Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Determination of Cancerogenic Potentials Microplastic and recycled plastic on Oreochromis niloticus using Micronucleus Assay

International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews 2025
Özlem Çakal Arslan

Summary

Researchers used the micronucleus assay in Nile tilapia erythrocytes to assess the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of microplastics and recycled plastic leachates. Both types caused significant increases in micronucleus frequency in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that plastic-associated chemicals can induce chromosomal damage in fish cells.

Body Systems

Micronuclei (MN) play a fundamental role during cancer evolution and metastatic progression. Water pollution means that these bodies are polluted with harmful substances, resulting in serious health hazards. Microplastics are currently a significant source of global concern. Environmental exposures are known risk factors for cancer etiology. These carcinogens also accumulate in aquatic organisms consumed by humans, eventually entering our food chain. In our study, the effects of microplastic (MP) and recycled plastic (RP = plastic bottle caps) concentrations on the erythrocytes of the fish Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia) were investigated for their carcinogenic and hematological effects on red blood cells (RBCs) through MN testing and erythrocyte counting. The results indicated that, due to the effects of MP and RP concentrations, the frequency of MN in erythrocytes increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, leading to cancer in living organisms and causing a decrease in the number of red blood cells (anemia).

Share this paper