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Microplastics induce toxic effects in fish: Bioaccumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses
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Researchers exposed juvenile fish to polyamide microplastics and found the particles accumulated primarily in the intestine, gills, and liver, causing reduced blood oxygen-carrying capacity, liver stress, and disrupted antioxidant defenses. These findings matter because fish are an important food source for humans, and microplastic accumulation in fish tissues could transfer these contaminants to people through their diet.
This study investigates the toxic effects of microplastics by assessing bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, and antioxidant responses in juvenile Korean bullhead (Pseudobagrus fulvidraco) exposed to polyamide microplastics (PA-MPs). The increasing release of plastics into aquatic environments leads to their degradation into microplastics, which pose a significant threat to freshwater ecosystems. To evaluate these impacts, P. fulvidraco (mean length: 16.3 ± 1.1 cm, mean weight: 38.2 ± 6.6 g) were exposed to waterborne PA-MPs (white, spherical particles) at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 5000 and 10,000 mg/L for 96 h. Bioaccumulation analysis revealed that PA-MPs primarily accumulated in the intestine, followed by the gills and liver. Hematological assessments showed significant reductions in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at high PA-MP concentrations (5000 and 10,000 mg/L). Plasma biochemical analysis indicated significant alterations in calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, AST, ALT and ALP levels. In terms of antioxidant responses, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly with PA-MP exposure, while glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity showed a marked decrease. These findings suggest that PA-MP exposure leads to bioaccumulation in key tissues and induces physiological stress in P. fulvidraco by altering hematological and antioxidant defense mechanisms, highlighting the potential toxicity of microplastics in freshwater fish.
More Papers Like This
Toxic effects on bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, oxidative stress, immune responses and neurotoxicity in fish exposed to microplastics: A review
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This review summarizes how microplastics affect fish health, covering toxic effects on blood, immune system, nervous system, and the buildup of plastics in fish tissues. Microplastics that accumulate in fish can trigger oxidative damage, weaken immune responses, and impair brain-related enzyme activity. Since fish are a major protein source for humans, understanding how microplastics harm fish health is directly relevant to the safety of our food supply.
Toxic effects of microplastic (polyethylene) exposure: Bioaccumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in crucian carp, Carassius carassius
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Researchers exposed crucian carp to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations and found that the particles accumulated in tissues including gills, gut, and liver. The microplastics altered blood cell counts and disrupted the fish's antioxidant defense system in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that even common polyethylene microplastics can cause measurable biological harm in freshwater fish.
Microplastics bioaccumulation in fish: Its potential toxic effects on hematology, immune response, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, growth, and reproductive dysfunction
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This review finds that microplastics accumulate primarily in the guts and gills of fish before spreading to other tissues through the bloodstream, causing a cascade of harmful effects including blood changes, immune suppression, nerve damage, and reproductive problems. The severity of harm depends on the size and dose of particles and how long the fish are exposed, with implications for the safety of fish consumed by humans.
Toxic effects of sub-acute microplastic (polyamide) exposure on the accumulation, hematological, and antioxidant responses in crucian carp, Carassius carassius
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Researchers exposed crucian carp to various concentrations of polyamide microplastics for two weeks and found that the particles accumulated in the fish tissues in a dose-dependent manner. Higher concentrations caused significant changes in blood parameters including reduced red blood cell counts and altered antioxidant enzyme activity, indicating both physical stress and oxidative damage. The study identifies specific blood and enzyme markers that could serve as early warning indicators of microplastic exposure in freshwater fish.
Microplastic exposure, oxidative stress, and potential heme protein vulnerability in teleost fish: implications for oxygen transport and seafood quality
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This review pulls together existing studies showing that microplastics build up in fish (especially the liver) and trigger stress in their cells, weakening the fish's natural defenses against damage. Scientists suspect this stress could also harm the oxygen-carrying proteins in fish blood and muscle—potentially affecting fish health and the quality of the seafood we eat—but this specific effect hasn't been directly tested yet, so more research is needed before drawing firm conclusions about what it means for consumers.
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