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Hepatic multi-level responses to polyethylene microplastics in Lateolabrax maculatus: Insights from transcriptomics, antioxidant enzyme activity, and histopathology
Summary
Researchers exposed spotted sea bass to diets containing polyethylene microplastics for 45 days and found multiple levels of liver damage, including altered gene expression, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and visible tissue changes. A subsequent depuration period showed partial but incomplete recovery. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure through contaminated feed may pose significant risks to liver health in commercially farmed fish species.
Microplastic (MP) contamination in aquaculture feeds and rearing environments has raised increasing concerns regarding fish health and food safety. Polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), one of the most common synthetic polymers in aquaculture environments, may pose chronic risks to economically important fish species. In this study, Lateolabrax maculatus was exposed to experimental diets containing 0% (CK), 4% (LM), and 8% (HM) PE-MPs for 45 days, followed by a 14-day depuration phase to evaluate hepatic recovery. Comprehensive analyses including transcriptome sequencing, antioxidant enzyme assays, immune-related gene expression profiling, and histopathological examinations were performed to elucidate the hepatic responses to PE-MPs. KEGG enrichment revealed significant alterations in multiple metabolic pathways, such as cytochrome P450, PPAR signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid metabolism, and purine metabolism. PE-MP exposure induced oxidative stress (increased SOD, CAT, MDA levels), activated inflammatory responses via NF-κB signaling (up-regulated IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ), and caused hepatic vacuolation. Most physiological parameters recovered partially after microplastic withdrawal; however, persistent IL-8 elevation indicated incomplete inflammation resolution. This integrated study on PE-MP hepatotoxicity and post-exposure recovery in Lateolabrax maculatus shows that hepatic damage is partially reversible after a 14-day depuration. The coexistence of repairable and persistent impairments implies that recovery trials may need to be considered in long-term risk assessment frameworks. These findings contribute to a scientific basis for evaluating microplastic risks in aquaculture and offer reference evidence for the potential inclusion of depuration periods in sustainable farming practices. • Dietary exposure to PE MPs for 45 days disrupts hepatic metabolism in Lateolabrax maculatus . • Transcriptomics reveals altered xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and lipid oxidation. • Biochemical assays confirmed oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and NF-κB–mediated immune activation. • Histopathology showed dose-dependent hepatocellular vacuolation and structural damage. • Recovery trials show partial antioxidant restoration but persistent IL-8 elevation, indicating ongoing inflammation.