0
Article Tier 2 Gut & Microbiome Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Remediation Sign in to save

Exposure to microplastics induces lower survival, oxidative stress, disordered microbiota and altered metabolism in the intestines of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Aquaculture and Fisheries 2022 17 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

Grass carp exposed to environmental concentrations of microplastics (32-40 micrometers, 100 and 1000 micrograms per liter) for 21 days showed reduced survival, elevated oxidative stress markers, disrupted gut microbiota, and altered intestinal metabolism. Microplastics were detected in intestinal tissue at both concentrations, indicating accumulation and systemic effects.

Study Type Environmental

There are major gaps in illustrating the risk to freshwater fish that are exposed to environmental microplastics (MPs), even though MPs in freshwater environments has drawn much concern. To explore the potentially negative effects of microplastics on freshwater fish, grass carp (averaging 9.215 ± 0.035g) were exposed to microplastics (32–40 μm in diameter) at two environmental concentrations (100 and 1000 μg/L) for 21 days, and evaluated for physio-biochemical performance, gut microbiome, and metabolome responses. After exposure, microplastics were detected in the intestine and within basal nuclei and goblet cells hyperplasia. Antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) also significantly decreased within the intestines (P < 0.05). Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, a decrease in diversity and richness was observed in the MPs-H and MPs-L groups. The abundance of opportunistic pathogens increased and beneficial bacteria decreased in both MP treatments. For example, Acinetobacter and Bosea proportions were higher in the MPs-L group, while Bacteroides and Shewanella increased in the MPs-H group. Furthermore, abundance of Lactobacillus decreased both in the MPs-H and MPs-L groups. Metabolomics analysis revealed primary bile acid biosynthesis metabolism upregulated in the MPs-L and purine metabolism downregulated in the MPs-H group. Additionally, an integration analysis of the gut microbiome and metabolomics identified significant associations between several bacteria taxa and metabolites related to intestinal repair. Taken together, these results highlighted the negative effects on intestinal morphology, oxidative stress, and microbiome and emphasized the relationship between microbiota and metabolites in response to microplastics, which could provide comprehensive insights into the potential risks of MPs on freshwater fish intestines.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Adverse effects of polystyrene microplastics in the freshwater commercial fish, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): Emphasis on physiological response and intestinal microbiome

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers exposed grass carp to different sizes and concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for up to 14 days, followed by a depuration period, and assessed physiological and intestinal microbiome effects. The study found that microplastics caused histological damage, oxidative stress, and shifts in gut microbial communities, with smaller particles and higher concentrations producing more severe effects.

Article Tier 2

The effects of exposure to microplastics on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic levels

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers exposed grass carp to microplastics at two concentrations for 21 days and observed liver damage, inhibited growth, and increased oxidative stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed over 1,500 differentially expressed genes related to immune response, metabolism, and cellular stress pathways. The study suggests that microplastic exposure can trigger broad physiological and molecular disruptions in freshwater fish.

Article Tier 2

Evidence of Microplastics in Gut Content of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Fingerlings and their Effects on Growth Performance and Body Composition

AI summary Read the abstract

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fingerlings were fed diets containing 1-9% biodegradable microplastics for 60 days to assess effects on growth performance, body composition, nutrient digestibility, and gut microplastics content. The study found microplastic contamination in gut contents across all treatment groups, with dose-dependent effects on fish health metrics.

Article Tier 2

Effects of waterborne exposure to varying concentrations of micro- and nano-plastics on liver and intestinal histology, antioxidant systems, and intestinal microbiota in Qihe River crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

AI summary Read the abstract

Scientists exposed farmed carp to microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics in water, finding both damaged the fish's gut and liver, disrupted digestion and gut bacteria, and slowed growth, with the tinier nanoplastics causing more harm. Since these fish are a food source, this raises questions about how widespread plastic pollution in waterways could affect the health and quality of fish we eat.

Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis and inflammation by disrupting the gut microbiota in carp intestines

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers fed carp polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles disrupted their gut bacteria, killing off beneficial species and promoting those linked to diseases. The microplastics triggered a stress response in intestinal cells that led to inflammation, cell death, and tissue damage. Since carp is a widely eaten fish, these gut health effects raise questions about how microplastics in aquatic environments could affect the safety of fish that humans consume.

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.

Email me about

Share this paper