We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polyacrylonitrile microfibers pose a significant threat to the early-stage survival of zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polyacrylonitrile microfibers for seven days, finding that larvae ingested the fibers, accumulated them in the intestines, and experienced elevated oxidative stress, disrupted lipid and calcium signaling, and — at high concentrations — triggered apoptosis via the Kras/MAPK pathway, reducing survival rates.
Microplastic pollution, especially microfibers (MFs), presents a critical global environmental challenge in natural water bodies. Yet, research on the toxic effects of MFs, particularly during early fish development, is limited. This study aimed to investigate MFs' toxic effects and mechanisms on early-stage zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of polyacrylonitrile microfibers (PanMfs) for 7 days. Results revealed PanMfs adhering to the embryos' surface, with higher concentrations accelerating heart rate and causing pericardial edema in post-hatching larvae. Larvae ingested PanMfs, leading to their accumulation in the intestines and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial quantity. Notably, lipid metabolism and calcium ion related signaling pathways underwent significant changes. Low concentration MFs affected glycometabolism pathways, with potential roles for aldob and cacng1a, exhibiting pronounced increases in ROS levels. High concentration of MFs had the most profound impact on signal transduction-related pathways, and possibly triggering micromitophagy and apoptosis in zebrafish intestinal epithelial cells through the Kras/MAPK signaling pathway, with potential roles for kras and mapk9. Although ROS increase was somewhat alleviated, it resulted in decreased survival rates and restricted growth in high concentration of MFs group. These findings highlight the significant threat of MFs to the early survival of fish. MFs pollution prevention and control hold great significance in the conservation of fishery resources.
More Papers Like This
Impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on apoptosis and inflammation in zebrafish larvae: Insights from reactive oxygen species perspective
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers showed that polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in zebrafish larvae and trigger excessive reactive oxygen species production via NADPH oxidase upregulation, causing mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and NF-κB-driven inflammation — with inhibiting ROS generation effectively blocking downstream cell death and inflammatory responses.
Uptake and toxicity of micro-/nanoplastics derived from naturally weathered disposable face masks in developing zebrafish: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aquatic life
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed developing zebrafish to micro- and nanoplastics created by naturally weathering disposable face masks in water. They found that these particles caused physical malformations, increased cell death, and triggered oxidative stress in the fish embryos and larvae. The findings suggest that improperly discarded pandemic masks breaking down in waterways could pose real threats to aquatic life during early development.
Effects of microfiber exposure on medaka (Oryzias latipes): Oxidative stress, cell damage, and mortality
AI summary Read the abstract
Japanese medaka fish exposed to polyester microfibers showed elevated oxidative stress, cell membrane damage, and increased mortality compared to controls. The study identifies microfibers, which are discharged from laundry via wastewater treatment plants, as a biologically active marine contaminant capable of causing measurable harm to fish.
Polystyrene Nanoplastic Exposure Induces Developmental Toxicity by Activating the Oxidative Stress Response and Base Excision Repair Pathway in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics at various concentrations and found significant developmental abnormalities including reduced hatching rates and increased malformations. The nanoplastics activated oxidative stress responses and DNA repair pathways, indicating cellular damage during critical early development stages. The study provides mechanistic evidence for how nanoplastic exposure can disrupt normal embryonic development in aquatic organisms.
Aged polystyrene microplastics exposure affects apoptosis via inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in early life of zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Zebrafish embryos exposed to UV-aged polystyrene microplastics at environmental concentrations showed more severe developmental problems than those exposed to fresh microplastics. The aged particles caused greater oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, triggering increased cell death during early development -- suggesting that weathered microplastics in the real environment may be more harmful than the pristine particles typically used in lab studies.
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.