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Emerging microplastic and nanoplastic threats: Decoding winter survival mechanisms in hybrid groupers through hepatic metabolic disruption
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Researchers explored how microplastics and nanoplastics of varying sizes affect hepatic lipid metabolism in hybrid grouper fish during winter overwintering periods. The study found that polystyrene particles disrupted lipid metabolism, caused oxidative stress, and altered gene expression in liver tissue, suggesting these pollutants may compromise fish survival during metabolically demanding cold seasons.
This study explores the impact of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) on hepatic lipid metabolism in pearl gentian grouper ( Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂) during overwintering and elucidates the underlying mechanisms. Fish were exposed to polystyrene (PS) MPs and NPs of varying sizes (5 μm, 500 nm, and 50 nm) for a 15-day exposure period. Histopathological analysis, oxidative stress assessment, and gene expression profiling related to lipid metabolism revealed significant toxic effects on the liver. Results showed that NPs preferentially accumulated in the liver, causing hepatocyte swelling, inflammation, and lipid metabolism disorders. Smaller particle sizes intensified oxidative stress, reduced triglyceride (TG) content, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (T-CHO) levels. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that MPs and NPs altered the expression of lipid metabolism genes, particularly those in glyceride metabolism and lipolysis pathways, with significant upregulation of PNPLA2 and LIPG ( p < 0.05) under cold stress. This led to excessive energy reserve depletion and hepatic lipid metabolism dysfunction. This study establishes a “environmental stress-gene-metabolism” response model and provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which NPs disrupt lipid homeostasis in aquatic organisms, offering a theoretical basis for understanding the toxicological effects of emerging contaminants. • Liver was the main target organ for NPs action. • Size effect adjusted oxidative stress in liver. • MPs and NPs promoted lipid depletion in the liver at low temperatures. • MPs and NPs interfered with lipid metabolism in liver.
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Investigating Polystyrene Nano-Plastic Effects on Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Focusing on mRNA Expression: Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Lipid Metabolism Dynamics
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics affect the liver of largemouth bass, focusing on endoplasmic reticulum stress and fat metabolism. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted normal lipid processing and triggered stress responses in liver cells, altering the expression of genes involved in fat storage and energy regulation. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution in freshwater environments may impair metabolic health in fish.
Unveiling the underlying mechanism: Metabolic reprogramming and oxidative stress mediate nanoplastic-induced hepatotoxicity in a freshwater fish (Pseudorasbora parva)
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Scientists studied how tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) affect fish livers and found that the smallest particles (80 nanometers) caused the most damage by disrupting the body's ability to fight harmful chemicals and process energy. The smallest plastic particles were especially harmful because they damaged the fish's natural defense systems and changed how their cells make energy. While this study was done in fish, it raises concerns about how these tiny plastic particles in our environment might also harm human health.
Distinctive lipidomic responses induced by polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics in zebrafish liver cells
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Researchers compared how micro-sized and nano-sized polystyrene plastic particles affect fat metabolism in zebrafish liver cells. They found that both sizes were taken up by cells, but the smaller nanoplastics caused more pronounced disruptions to lipid profiles and triggered cell death pathways. The findings underscore that particle size matters when assessing the biological impact of plastic pollution on fish.
Microplastics (Polystyrene) Exposure Induces Metabolic Changes in the Liver of Rare Minnow (Gobiocypris rarus)
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Researchers exposed rare minnow fish to polystyrene microplastics and observed significant metabolic changes in the liver after four weeks. The microplastics caused cellular and tissue alterations along with shifts in metabolic pathways related to energy production and lipid metabolism. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure can disrupt normal liver function in freshwater fish even at sublethal concentrations.
Long-Term Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Impairs the Liver Health of Medaka
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Researchers found that three months of exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics caused significant liver damage in medaka fish, including oxidative stress, immune disruption, and altered gene expression related to lipid metabolism and detoxification pathways.
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