Multi-omics analysis reveals polyethylene microplastics-induced gill damage, metabolic disruption and immune dysregulation in Lateolabrax maculatus

Multi-omics analysis reveals polyethylene microplastics-induced gill damage, metabolic disruption and immune dysregulation in Lateolabrax maculatus

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Researchers exposed spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) to dietary polyethylene microplastics and found that even moderate concentrations caused gill tissue damage, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation by disrupting energy metabolism and NF-κB inflammatory pathways, with most effects showing partial recovery after a 14-day depuration period.

Physiological Alterations and Immune Modulation in Fish Exposed to Microplastics

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Researchers reviewed the physiological and immunological effects of microplastic exposure in fish, finding that these particles smaller than 5 mm induce a range of biological disruptions including immune modulation, oxidative stress, and systemic health impacts with broader implications for aquatic ecosystem integrity.

Microplastics contamination suppressed immune and health status in cage cultured Barramundi: An investigation on pollution sources, ecotoxicological impacts, and transcription of genes involved in detoxification

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Farmed fish in ocean cages are absorbing tiny plastic particles from polluted waters, and this is weakening their immune systems and stressing their livers, based on a study of Barramundi (a popular food fish) from the Persian Gulf. The good news for consumers: the plastics mostly built up in gills and organs rather than the muscle we actually eat, so the direct risk to people eating this fish appears low, but the findings raise concerns about the health and sustainability of fish raised in plastic-polluted waters.

Multi-omics Elucidates Convergent and Concentration-Specific Toxicity Mechanisms Underlying Muscle Dysfunction and Locomotor Impairment In Large Yellow Croaker Exposed to Nanoplastics

Toxicity of nano- and microplastics on marine and freshwater fish: A multi-scale perspective from organ systems to cells

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This review pulls together existing studies showing that tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) can build up in fish, damaging their gut, gills, heart, brain, and immune system by causing inflammation and cellular stress. While this research was done in fish, it matters for us too, since these plastics are widespread in water and seafood, and fish share many biological similarities with humans, meaning our bodies could face similar risks from ongoing plastic exposure.