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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.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and cause neurotoxicity in various organisms. However, previous studies that analyzed the effects of MPs mainly focused on virgin polystyrene (V-PS) as representative models of MPs, and the mechanism underlying the neurotoxicity of photoaged polystyrene (P-PS) remains largely unknown. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1-100 μg/L) of V-PS and P-PS(10 μm). The results indicated that UV radiation accelerated the aging process and changed physical and chemical properties of PS. Whereas exposure to both V-PS and P-PS at low concentrations (100 μg/L) significantly reduced the locomotor behavior of zebrafish larvae, P-PS caused more severe neurotoxicity compared to V-PS. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GST) and MDA content were significantly altered in zebrafish exposed to 10-100 μg/L of P-PS. Similarly, exposure to P-PS significantly increased neurotransmitter (5-HT, GABA, DA, and ACh) levels and activity of AChE, ChAT, and ChE. Star plots based on integrated biomarker response (IBR) values showed more incline toward neurotransmitter biomarkers in response to increasing P-PS concentration, and the behavioral parameters negatively correlated with the neurotransmitter biomarkers. Further investigations revealed that the expression of neurotransmission- (e.g., ache, drd3, 5th2c, and gat1) and oxidative stress- (e.g., cat1, sod1, gpx1a, and gstrl) related genes was significantly affected by PS in larval zebrafish. Thus, this study provides new insights on the potential risks of MPs into the environment.
More Papers Like This
Photoaged polystyrene microplastics result in neurotoxicity associated with neurotransmission and neurodevelopment in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio)
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This study found that sunlight-aged microplastics are more toxic to zebrafish brains than fresh ones, disrupting nerve signaling chemicals and motor neuron development at very low concentrations. The findings are important because most microplastics in the environment have been weathered by sunlight, meaning their real-world neurotoxic effects may be worse than laboratory tests using fresh plastics would suggest.
UV-aged microplastics induces neurotoxicity by affecting the neurotransmission in larval zebrafish
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Researchers compared the neurotoxic effects of fresh versus UV-aged polystyrene microplastics on zebrafish larvae. They found that aged microplastics caused more severe behavioral changes and significantly altered levels of key brain chemicals including dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. The study demonstrates that environmental weathering makes microplastics more neurotoxic, which is an important consideration for assessing the real-world risks of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Photoaging of Facial Scrub Microbeads Causes Neurobehavioral Impairment in Zebrafish Larvae through Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neurotransmission Disruption
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Sunlight exposure makes plastic microbeads from facial scrubs even more toxic: when scientists aged these microbeads with simulated sunlight (mimicking what happens when products wash down drains and end up in waterways), they released more harmful chemicals and caused significant nerve and movement problems in zebrafish, largely by damaging the tiny energy-producing structures in cells (mitochondria). While this study was done in fish rather than humans, it's an early warning sign that "aged" microplastics in the environment may be more dangerous than fresh ones—something worth watching given how widespread these particles are in our water and ecosyst
Photoaging enhanced the adverse effects of polyamide microplastics on the growth, intestinal health, and lipid absorption in developing zebrafish
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Researchers found that polyamide microplastics became significantly more harmful to developing zebrafish after being aged by simulated sunlight, shrinking in size and generating nanoplastic fragments. The aged particles caused greater damage to intestinal health, impaired lipid absorption, and stunted growth compared to unaged microplastics. The study demonstrates that environmental weathering can substantially increase the biological risks posed by microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
Impact of virgin and weathered microplastics on zebrafish: Bioaccumulation, developmental toxicity and molecular pathway disruptions
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Researchers compared the effects of brand-new versus environmentally weathered microplastics on zebrafish larvae and found that weathered particles were far more toxic, causing 80% mortality compared to 20% for new plastics. The weathered microplastics triggered more severe disruptions to oxidative stress pathways, cell death signaling, and DNA repair mechanisms. The study emphasizes that laboratory tests using only pristine microplastics may significantly underestimate the real-world dangers of plastic pollution.
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