We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Dietary intake of microplastics impairs digestive performance, induces hepatic dysfunction, and shortens lifespan in the annual fish Nothobranchius guentheri
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed microplastics to the annual fish Nothobranchius guentheri and tracked the effects over their lifespan. The study found that dietary microplastic intake impaired digestion, caused liver dysfunction, and notably shortened the fish's lifespan while accelerating age-related changes. This represents some of the first evidence in vertebrates that chronic microplastic exposure may affect aging and longevity.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem, increasingly becoming a serious concern of human health. Many studies have explored the biological effects of MPs on animal and plant life in recent years. However, information regarding the effects of MPs on aging and lifespan is completely lacking in vertebrate species to date. Here we first confirm the bioavailability of MPs by oral delivery in the annual fish N. guentheri. We then show for the first time that administration of MPs not only shortens the lifespan but also accelerates the development of age-related biomarkers in N. guentheri. We also demonstrate that administration of MPs induces oxidative stress, suppresses antioxidant enzymes, reduces digestive enzymes, and causes hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, we propose that administration of MPs reduces lifespan of N. guentheri via induction of both suppressed antioxidant system and digestive disturbance as well as hepatic damage. Our results also suggest that smaller MPs appear more toxic to digestion, metabolism and growth of animals.
More Papers Like This
Deleterious Effects of Polypropylene Microplastic Ingestion in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed Nile tilapia daily doses of polypropylene microplastics for 30 days and observed significant health effects including changes in blood cell counts, altered gut bacteria, and tissue damage to the intestines and liver. The higher dose group showed more pronounced effects, including elevated inflammatory markers and signs of oxidative stress. The study provides evidence that chronic ingestion of microplastics commonly found in aquatic environments can cause meaningful harm to a widely consumed fish species.
Chronic exposure to high-density polyethylene microplastic through feeding alters the nutrient metabolism of juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Chronic feeding exposure to virgin and spiked microplastics disrupts essential biological functions in teleost fish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed zebrafish and marine medaka environmentally relevant concentrations of virgin and chemically spiked polyethylene and PVC microplastics over four months. While classical biomarkers showed no changes, significant decreases in growth and disruptions to reproduction, gut integrity, and liver function were observed. The findings suggest that chronic dietary exposure to microplastics can disrupt essential biological functions in fish even without triggering traditional toxicity markers.
Exploring the detrimental effects of microplastics on Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) fingerlings survival and health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Asian seabass fingerlings to different concentrations of polyethylene microplastics in their diet and observed significant increases in mortality. Tissue analysis revealed serious liver damage including hepatocyte degeneration and inflammation in fish fed microplastic-contaminated diets. The study provides evidence that dietary microplastic exposure poses a direct threat to the survival and health of farmed fish species.
Integrated biomarker responses to dietary polypropylene microplastics in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under simulated aquaculture conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists fed rainbow trout food containing tiny plastic particles (microplastics) for 45 days and found the fish grew more slowly, with the plastic causing stress and damage in their liver, brain, and other organs, effects that got worse with higher plastic doses and longer exposure. Since farmed trout is a common food fish, this research is an early warning sign that the growing amount of microplastic pollution could affect the health of fish we eat, though more research is needed to know exactly what this means for humans.
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.