We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene nano/microplastics induce microbiota dysbiosis, oxidative damage, and innate immune disruption in zebrafish
Summary
Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene particles of two different sizes and found that both nano- and micro-sized plastics disrupted gut bacteria, caused oxidative damage, and altered immune responses. The severity of effects depended on particle size and concentration, with smaller particles and higher doses causing more harm. The study suggests that plastic particles in waterways may pose a broader threat to fish health than previously understood, affecting digestion, stress defenses, and immunity simultaneously.
The toxicity of polystyrene nano/microplastics with diameter sizes of 50um and 100 nm and concentrations of 100 and 1000 μg/mL on gut microbiota, antioxidant activity and innate immune response in zebrafish was investigated. After exposure to polystyrene plastics particle, the pathological morphological changes of intestine and gills were observed, and the injury severity was related to the concentration and particle size of plastics. Significant changes in the richness and diversity of gut microbiota were observed after polystyrene plastics-exposed in zebrafish. The plastics-treated groups exhibited more substantial oxidative stress than the control group. In addition, the mRNA expression level of most pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, including IL-8, NF-κb, and IL-10, increased while the mRNA expression of TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory factor, decreased. Our results suggest that polystyrene nano/microplastics may represent a potential threat to the gut microbiota, oxidative status, and innate immunity. These results indicated that polystyrene nano/microplastics exerted size and concentration-dependent toxicity on zebrafish. The findings provide new evidence for the toxicity of polystyrene plastics on zebrafish.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene microplastics induce microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation in the gut of adult zebrafish
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes for 14 days and found significant disruptions to the gut microbiome, including shifts in key bacterial populations. Smaller microplastic particles also triggered inflammatory responses in the gut, with elevated levels of inflammatory markers at both the gene and protein level. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion can disturb gut bacteria balance and cause intestinal inflammation in aquatic organisms.
Microplastics induce intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and disorders of metabolome and microbiome in zebrafish
Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics for 21 days and found significant intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of both the gut microbiome and metabolic processes. The microplastics altered the balance of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria and changed the levels of key metabolites involved in energy and amino acid metabolism. The study provides detailed evidence that microplastic ingestion can cause widespread disruption to gut health in aquatic organisms.
The toxicity of polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics on rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) varies with the particle size and concentration
Scientists exposed rare minnow fish to polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics at different sizes and concentrations and found that both caused growth inhibition, tissue damage, and disrupted gut bacteria. Interestingly, larger microplastics at high concentrations were the most disruptive to gut microbiome communities, while nanoplastics caused more oxidative stress. The study shows that the health effects of plastic particles depend on both their size and amount, and that gut health is a key target of microplastic toxicity.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on oxidative stress, histopathology and intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Researchers exposed largemouth bass — a commercially important freshwater fish — to polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles 100 nanometers in size) for up to 19 days, finding tissue damage in the gills, liver, and intestines along with elevated markers of cellular stress. While growth was not significantly affected, the fish adjusted their gut microbiome in response, suggesting nanoplastics trigger adaptive but potentially harmful physiological changes.
Micro-and nano-plastics induce kidney damage and suppression of innate immune function in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae
Zebrafish larvae exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics developed kidney damage and weakened immune defenses, making them much more vulnerable to bacterial infection. Both particle sizes suppressed key immune pathways, but nanoplastics primarily caused stress in cells' protein-processing systems while microplastics triggered fat buildup in the kidneys -- showing how different-sized plastic particles can harm health through distinct mechanisms.