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Genotoxicity and metabolic changes induced via ingestion of virgin and UV-aged polyethylene microplastics by the freshwater fish Perca fluviatilis
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Freshwater perch fed UV-aged polyethylene microplastics showed greater DNA damage and more severe metabolic disruption in liver and muscle tissue than fish fed virgin (new) microplastics. The aged plastics disrupted energy metabolism, amino acid processing, and neurotransmitter levels. Since most microplastics in the environment have been weathered by sunlight, these findings suggest the real-world health risks to fish — and potentially to the humans who eat them — may be greater than lab studies using fresh plastics indicate.
The present study aims to compare and assess the toxicity induced by aged (irradiated with ultraviolet radiation for 120 days) polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) in comparison to virgin (non-irradiated) ones, after feeding the freshwater fish Perca fluviatilis. To this end, MPs mediated genotoxicity was assessed by the investigation of micronucleus nuclear abnormalities frequency in fish blood, and the degree of DNA damage in the liver and muscle tissues, while metabolic alterations were also recorded in both tissues. Results showed that both virgin and aged PE-MPs induced signaling pathways leading to DNA damage and nuclear abnormalities, as well as metabolites changes in all tissues studied. Metabolic changes revealed that the metabolism of nucleic acids, energy, amino acids, and neurotransmitters was more disrupted in the liver and by aged PE-MPs compared to muscles. Fish fed with aged PE-MPs exhibited greater DNA damage, while blood cells of fish fed with virgin PE-MPs seemed to be more vulnerable to nuclear abnormalities in relation to those fed with aged PE-MPs. Moreover, aged PE-MPs induced more acute overall effects on the metabolic profiles of fish tissues, and initiated stronger stress responses, inflammation, and cellular damages in fish tissues in relation to virgin ones. Characterization of both virgin and aged MPs revealed that the latter exhibited lower crystallinity and melting point, more irregular shapes and higher moiety of oxygen and carbonyl groups, which could be attributed for their observed higher toxicity. The research outcomes provide significant insights for advancing toxicological investigations in this field.
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Impact of aged and virgin polyethylene microplastics on multi end-points effects of freshwater fish tissues
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Freshwater fish exposed to polyethylene microplastics for 15 days showed increased oxidative stress in both liver and muscle tissue, with aged, UV-weathered microplastics causing more damage than new ones. The weathering process changed the plastic surface in ways that made the particles more chemically reactive and potentially more harmful. This matters because microplastics in the environment are typically aged, meaning lab studies using only pristine particles may underestimate real-world toxicity.
Photoaged microplastics induce neurotoxicity via oxidative stress and abnormal neurotransmission in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio)
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This study found that microplastics aged by sunlight were more toxic to zebrafish larvae than fresh microplastics, causing brain damage and abnormal behavior. The sun-aged particles triggered greater oxidative stress and disrupted neurotransmitter systems in the developing fish. This is concerning because most microplastics in the environment have been weathered by sunlight, meaning the real-world health risks may be greater than lab studies using fresh plastics suggest.
Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity of Polypropylene Microplastics (PP-MPs) in Two Freshwater Fishes
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Researchers fed zebrafish and freshwater perch polypropylene microplastics at low and high doses and measured cellular damage in liver and gill tissues. They found dose-dependent toxicity including DNA damage up to 18-fold higher than controls, lipid peroxidation, and disrupted metabolism of key compounds like tryptophan. The study provides evidence that polypropylene microplastic ingestion causes significant cellular harm to freshwater fish in a dose-dependent manner.
Chronic exposure to high-density polyethylene microplastic through feeding alters the nutrient metabolism of juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
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Researchers fed juvenile yellow perch diets containing varying levels of high-density polyethylene microplastics for nine weeks. While no mortality or growth effects were observed, fish exposed to the highest microplastic levels showed decreased body protein and ash content, enlarged liver cells with increased glycogen storage, reduced liver lipid, and significant intestinal cell damage. The study suggests that chronic microplastic ingestion can alter nutrient metabolism and cause organ-level damage in fish even without affecting survival or growth.
Biochemical, Genotoxic and Histological Implications of Polypropylene Microplastics on Freshwater Fish Oreochromis mossambicus: An Aquatic Eco-Toxicological Assessment
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Researchers fed polypropylene microplastics to freshwater tilapia and found they caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, and liver tissue deterioration, with more severe effects after 14 days compared to acute 96-hour exposure. The microplastics disrupted antioxidant enzyme systems and neurotransmitter activity in the fish. The study demonstrates that prolonged microplastic ingestion poses a significant ecological threat to freshwater fish species.
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