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Dietary polystyrene nanoplastics exposure alters hepatic glycolipid metabolism, triggering inflammatory responses and apoptosis in Monopterus albus
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Researchers fed swamp eels different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics and found dose-dependent liver damage, including disrupted fat and sugar metabolism, inflammation, and cell death. Higher nanoplastic doses caused more severe oxidative stress and activated harmful signaling pathways in liver tissue. The study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic ingestion can significantly impair liver function in aquatic species.
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) are abundant, persistent, and widespread environmental pollutants that are of increasing concern as they pose a serious threat to ecosystems and aquatic species. Identifying the ecological effects of NPs pollution requires understanding the effects of changing nanoplastics concentrations in aquatic organisms. Monopterus albus were orally fed three different concentrations of 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs): 0.05 %, 0.5 %, and 1 % of the feed for 28 days. Nanoplastics significantly activated the PPAR signaling pathway, Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A), angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) at the mRNA level, resulting in disturbed lipid metabolism. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly elevated in the high nanoplastics-feeding exposure group, leading to oxidative stress in the liver. Overexpression of the cytokines genes Interleukin 1 (IL1B) and Interleukin-8 (IL8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), activation of MAPK signaling pathway, and increased gene expression of c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 indicate that exposure to NPs may lead to hepatopancreas apoptosis through oxidative stress and inflammation. In summary, dietary PS-NPs exposure alters hepatic glycolipid metabolism, triggering inflammatory responses and apoptosis in M. albus. The results of this study provide valuable ecotoxicological data for a better understanding of the biological fate and effects of nanoplastics in M. albus.
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Researchers exposed swamp eels to polystyrene nanoplastics for 28 days and found significant liver damage including oxidative stress, tissue abnormalities, and disrupted gene expression related to immune response and metabolism. Higher concentrations caused more severe liver injury, with changes detectable at both the biochemical and genetic levels. This study adds evidence that nanoplastic exposure can harm liver function in freshwater species important to aquaculture and local food supplies.
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Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on apoptosis, digestive enzymes, and intestinal histological structure and flora of swamp eel (Monopterus albus)
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Researchers exposed swamp eels (Monopterus albus) to polystyrene nanoplastics and found inflammation in the liver and intestine, significant gene expression changes in the liver, and shifts in intestinal microbial community composition toward more pathogenic taxa. The results demonstrate that nanoplastic exposure disrupts apoptosis pathways, digestive enzyme activity, and gut microbiome health in this freshwater fish.
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