We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene Microplastics Exposure: An Insight into Multiple Organ Histological Alterations, Oxidative Stress and Neurotoxicity in Javanese Medaka Fish (Oryzias javanicus Bleeker, 1854)
Summary
Researchers exposed Javanese medaka fish to polystyrene microplastics for 21 days and observed tissue damage across multiple organs including the intestine, liver, and kidney. The study also found increased intestinal oxidative stress and permeability, along with neurotoxicity in the brain characterized by lipid damage and inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
Microplastics (MPs) have become pollutants of concern due to their unknown human health effect and negative impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is increasing number of experimental research on MPs globally with its effects not fully understood; recent animal studies explore its effects on the intestines, yet on other vital organs. Javanese medaka fish was exposed to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) beads for a period of 21 days. Histological alterations, intestinal oxidative stress, permeability and neurotoxicity were evaluated. Significant inflammatory changes and tissue damage were observed in the intestine, liver and kidney. Intestinal oxidative stress and permeability were found to be significantly increased. In the brain, neurotoxicity characterised by a significant induction of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme were elucidated. This study provided an insight into the multiple organ effect of microplastics exposure, necessitating further exploration and identification of biomarkers to be utilised for biomonitoring population at risk in the future.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Influence of Polystyrene Microplastics on Mitochondrial Oxidative Damage in Renal and Muscular Tissues of the Freshwater Fish
Researchers exposed freshwater fish to environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for up to 15 days and examined mitochondrial damage in kidney and muscle tissues. The exposure disrupted antioxidant defenses, increased oxidative stress, and altered metabolic enzyme activities in both tissue types. Histological examination revealed significant tissue damage including necrosis and degeneration, suggesting that microplastics can cause organ-level toxicity in fish through mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Analysis of the Biochemical and Histopathological Impact of Polystyrene Microplastic on Channa Punctata (Bloch, 1793) Fish.
Researchers exposed snakehead fish (Channa punctata) to polystyrene microplastics at three doses for 28 days, finding dose-dependent liver and kidney damage, elevated stress enzymes, and histopathological changes — indicating significant biochemical toxicity in freshwater fish.
Polystyrene microplastics alter the intestinal microbiota function and the hepatic metabolism status in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
Researchers fed marine medaka fish polystyrene microplastics of two sizes for 28 days and examined effects on gut microbiota and liver metabolism. They found that microplastic exposure significantly altered the functional composition of gut bacteria and disrupted hepatic metabolic pathways, even without causing visible tissue damage. The study suggests that microplastics can affect fish health through subtle microbiome and metabolic changes that precede obvious physical harm.
Long-term exposure to microplastics induces intestinal function dysbiosis in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus)
Researchers exposed rare minnow fish to polystyrene microplastics for up to 28 days and found progressive intestinal dysfunction including structural damage, increased oxidative stress enzyme activity, and disruption of gut microbiota. The study suggests that long-term microplastic exposure can cause cumulative intestinal damage, with inflammation and barrier function impairment worsening over extended exposure periods.
Polystyrene microplastics cause tissue damages, sex-specific reproductive disruption and transgenerational effects in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
Researchers exposed marine medaka fish to environmentally realistic concentrations of polystyrene microplastics and found tissue damage, oxidative stress, and sex-specific reproductive disruption. The effects carried over to the next generation even without direct microplastic exposure. The study provides evidence that microplastics at levels found in the ocean can cause lasting biological harm across generations in fish.