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Effects of microplastics on head kidney gene expression and enzymatic biomarkers in adult zebrafish
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to a mix of polystyrene and high-density polyethylene microplastics for 20 days and examined effects on gene expression and enzyme activity. The lower concentration activated genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and adaptive immunity, while the higher concentration inhibited acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme important for nervous system function. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure can trigger immune and metabolic responses and may pose neurotoxic risks in fish.
Due to massive production, improper use, and disposal of plastics, microplastics have become global environmental pollutants affecting both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Several studies have documented the uptake of microplastics in wild species and the correlated biological effects, such as epithelial damage, inflammation, metabolic alterations, and neurotoxicity. However, the effects of microplastics are not fully understood yet. In this study, adult zebrafish have been exposed for twenty days to two concentrations of a mix of polystyrene and high-density polyethylene microplastics. The biological effects were investigated through the expression levels of a set of selected genes in head kidney samples and two enzymatic biomarkers, acetylcholinesterase and lactate dehydrogenase, in head and body homogenates respectively. The lowest microplastic concentration up-regulated genes involved in xenobiotics catabolic processes (cyp2p8), and adaptive immunity (tcra). Acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited by the highest microplastics exposure, while a weaker and no significant inhibition was induced by the lowest concentration. No significant effects on lactate dehydrogenase activity were observed. The results presented in this study support the hypothesis that MPs exposure could induce the activation of an immune response and the xenobiotic metabolism, suggesting also that the cytochrome P450 enzyme cyp2p8 and acetylcholinesterase may be sensitive to MPs contamination.
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Effects of microplastics on head-kidney gene expression and biochemical biomarkers in adult zebrafish
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to microplastics for 20 days and measured gene expression and biochemical markers in the head-kidney — the fish's primary immune organ. Microplastic exposure altered immune-related gene expression and biochemical indicators, suggesting that even short-term plastic ingestion can disrupt immune function in fish.
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Researchers evaluated the toxicity of polyethylene microplastic spheres in adult, juvenile, and embryo zebrafish at multiple biological levels. The study found no genotoxicity or significant toxic effects after acute exposure, likely because the particles were not internalized, though changes in acetylcholinesterase and glutathione-S-transferase enzyme activities suggested possible effects on gut microbiome function.
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics at various concentrations and measured gene expression changes related to stress, inflammation, and DNA repair. They found dose-dependent activation of oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways at the highest concentration, along with inhibition of the neurotransmitter-related gene acetylcholinesterase and DNA repair genes. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure at the molecular level may compromise cellular defense mechanisms and neurological function in developing fish.
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polyethylene microplastics of various sizes to identify physical effects, behavioral changes, and gene expression impacts. They found that microplastic ingestion varied by particle size and that exposure altered expression of detoxification and reproduction-related genes. The study suggests that microplastic pollution at environmentally relevant concentrations could affect both the health and reproductive capacity of fish.
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