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Toxic effects of microplastics (polyethylene) exposure on acetylcholinesterase, stress indicators and immunity in Korean Bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco
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Researchers exposed Korean bullhead fish to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations for 96 hours and measured effects on nerve function, stress, and immunity. At lower concentrations no significant changes were observed, but at higher levels the fish showed inhibited nerve enzyme activity, elevated stress hormones, and suppressed immune responses. The study highlights that while moderate microplastic exposure may have limited acute effects, severe contamination can meaningfully impair fish health.
Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments can have toxic effects on various organisms, including fish. This study exposed Pseudobagrus fulvidraco to polyethylene MPs at 0, 10 mg/L (approximately 9.50 ×10 particles/L), 20 mg/L (approximately 1.9 ×10 particles/L), 5000 mg/L (approximately 4.75 ×10 particles/L), and 10,000 mg/L (approximately 9.50 ×10 particles/L) concentrations for 96 h. At relatively lower MPs concentrations (0, 10 and 20 mg/L), no significant changes were observed in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, stress indicators (heat shock protein 70 and cortisol), or immune responses (lysozyme activity and immunoglobulin M levels). However, at higher MPs concentrations (5000 and 10,000 mg/L), AChE activity was significantly inhibited, stress indicators were significantly increased, and immune responses were significantly decreased. Our results indicate that acute exposure of P. fulvidraco to MPs had negligible effects at concentrations below 20 mg/L, whereas significant toxic effects such as AChE activity inhibition, stress responses, and immune suppression were observed at concentrations above 5000 mg/L. Therefore, our study highlights the risks of severe MPs pollution on aquatic ecosystems and fish health.
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Toxic effects of microplastic (polyethylene) exposure: Stress, immune responses and neurotoxicity in crucian carp, Carassius carassius
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Researchers exposed crucian carp to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations for two weeks and measured stress, immune, and neurotoxic responses. The study found that higher microplastic concentrations caused significant increases in stress hormones and HSP70, while suppressing immune function and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity, indicating concentration-dependent neurotoxicity and immune suppression.
Toxic effects of microplastic (Polyethylene) on fish: Accumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in Korean Bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco
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Korean bullhead fish exposed to polyethylene microplastics for just 96 hours showed significant toxic effects including microplastic buildup in the gut, gills, and liver. The fish developed blood abnormalities, liver stress, and disrupted antioxidant defenses, with effects worsening at higher concentrations. Since this species is a common freshwater fish, these findings raise concerns about microplastics affecting the health and safety of fish that people eat.
Toxic effects of polyethylene microplastic exposure: Stress and immune responses, and acetylcholinesterase levels in Far Eastern catfish, Silurus asotus, according to different particle sizes
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Scientists exposed catfish to tiny plastic particles (microplastics) at very high concentrations and found signs of stress, weakened immune function, and disrupted nerve-related enzyme activity, and smaller plastic particles seemed to cause harm at lower amounts than larger ones. However, the plastic levels tested were far higher than what's typically found in real rivers and lakes, so this study shows what *could* happen under extreme conditions rather than proving fish (or humans eating fish) are being harmed at current pollution levels.
Effects of microplastics on head kidney gene expression and enzymatic biomarkers in adult zebrafish
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to a mix of polystyrene and high-density polyethylene microplastics for 20 days and examined effects on gene expression and enzyme activity. The lower concentration activated genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and adaptive immunity, while the higher concentration inhibited acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme important for nervous system function. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure can trigger immune and metabolic responses and may pose neurotoxic risks in fish.
Some Behavioural and Physiological Effects of Plastics (Polyethylene) on Fish
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Researchers examined behavioral and physiological effects of polyethylene microplastics on fish, finding that plastic exposure disrupted endocrine function, altered behavior, and impaired normal development and reproduction.
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