We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polylactic acid microplastics before and after aging induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish by disrupting the microbiota-gut-brain axis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish to microplastics made from PLA, a common biodegradable plastic, and found that both new and aged PLA particles caused brain and nerve damage, including sluggish behavior, memory problems, and increased aggression. Aged PLA particles were even more toxic, and the damage appeared to work through disruption of the gut-brain connection, raising concerns about the safety of biodegradable plastics as they break down in water.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics due to its excellent biocompatibility. However, PLA is challenging to fully degrade and can easily become microplastics (MPs) in surface water, a process accompanied by aging. This study found that aged PLA (APLA) MPs exhibited increased surface roughness, decreased surface potential, and more oxygen-containing functional groups compared to PLA. Acute exposure to PLA/APLA in zebrafish larvae resulted in sluggish behavior and inhibited neuronal development. Chronic exposure to PLA/APLA in adult zebrafish led to reduced exploratory behavior, poor memory, increased aggression, and neuron loss. Overall, PLA/APLA induced dose-dependent neurotoxicity, with APLA exhibiting greater toxicity than PLA, potentially due to its higher rate of uptake. Additionally, exposure to PLA/APLA led to thinning of the intestinal wall, shortening of villi, and suppression of intestinal neurotransmitter levels, accompanied by alterations in microbial abundance and gut dysbiosis. Meanwhile, supplementation with bile acid, considered as the key regulator in the gut-brain axis, significantly mitigated the neurotoxicity induced by PLA/APLA. These findings confirm that PLA/APLA MPs indeed elicit neurotoxicity via the gut-brain axis and provide scientific evidence for targeted environmental interventions to minimize the adverse ecological impacts of biodegradable MPs.
More Papers Like This
Multiple endpoints of polylactic acid biomicroplastic toxicity in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic microparticles for 30 days and found accumulation in liver, brain, gills, and tissue, along with social behavior disruption, cholinergic changes, oxidative imbalance, and altered pigmentation — challenging the assumption that biodegradable bioplastics are environmentally benign.
Toxic effect of chronic exposure to polyethylene nano/microplastics on oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and gut microbiota of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polyethylene microplastics and nanoplastics for 21 days and found both caused oxidative damage to organs, disrupted brain function, and altered gut bacteria. Surprisingly, the toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics were similar in terms of brain and gut impacts, though organ-level oxidative damage varied by tissue type. These findings are concerning because they show that the plastic particles commonly found in food and water can simultaneously harm the brain, gut, and vital organs.
Systemic toxicity of biodegradable polyglycolic acid microplastics on the gut-liver-brain axis in zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Zebrafish exposed to polyglycolic acid (PGA) microplastics, a type of biodegradable plastic used in medical devices and food packaging, showed damage across the gut, liver, and brain through the gut-liver-brain axis. The microplastics increased gut permeability, disrupted beneficial gut bacteria, interfered with liver fat metabolism, and caused anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment. This study is notable because it shows that even biodegradable plastics can cause significant toxic effects when they break down into microplastics.
Behavioral toxicity and neurotoxic mechanisms of PLA-PBAT biodegradable microplastics in zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
This study tested the toxicity of biodegradable PLA-PBAT microplastics -- a common "eco-friendly" plastic alternative -- on zebrafish over 21 days. The biodegradable microplastics caused behavioral changes, reduced growth, brain inflammation, and disrupted neurotransmitter levels similar to conventional plastics. These findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for living organisms.
Aged polylactic acid microplastics exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders and cardiac dysfunction via PPARγ activation in zebrafish: A comparative study with polymers and oligomers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the toxicity of polylactic acid microplastics at different degradation stages—polymers, oligomers, and aged polymers—in zebrafish larvae, finding that aged PLA most severely disrupted lipid metabolism and cardiac function through PPARγ activation.
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.