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Waterborne exposure of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) to polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics causes effects at cellular and molecular levels
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Gilthead seabream exposed to polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics in water showed dose- and time-dependent changes in liver gene expression and plasma biomarkers, with upregulation of oxidative stress response genes at even the lowest tested concentration (0.001 mg/L).
This study evaluated the effect of a short-term exposure to 45 nm polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics (PMMA-NPs) on the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), by assessing biomarkers at different levels of biological organization in liver and plasma. Fish were exposed via water to PMMA-NPs (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg L) and sampled after 24 and 96 h. Results showed a general up-regulation of mRNA levels of key genes associated with lipid metabolism (e.g. apolipoprotein A1 and retinoid X receptor). Together with the modulation of the lipid pathway genes we also found a global increase in cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma. Antioxidant-related genes (e.g. glutathione peroxidase 1) were also up-regulated after 24 h of exposure, but their expression levels returned to control afterwards. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was increased throughout the experiment, however at 96 h the antioxidant capacity became less efficient, reflected by an increase in the total oxidative status (TOS). Concomitantly, we found an increase in the erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) throughout the trial. Altogether, PMMA-NPs activated the organism's antioxidant defenses and induced alterations in lipid metabolism pathways and genotoxicity in the blood cells of gilthead seabream.
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Researchers found that short-term exposure to polymethylmethacrylate nanoplastics altered muscle antioxidant responses, development, and growth gene expression in gilthead sea bream fingerlings at concentrations as low as 0.001 mg/L.
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Researchers exposed swamp eels to polystyrene nanoplastics for 28 days and found significant liver damage including oxidative stress, tissue abnormalities, and disrupted gene expression related to immune response and metabolism. Higher concentrations caused more severe liver injury, with changes detectable at both the biochemical and genetic levels. This study adds evidence that nanoplastic exposure can harm liver function in freshwater species important to aquaculture and local food supplies.
Ecotoxicological effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on common carp: Insights into blood parameters, DNA damage, and gene expression
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Exposing common carp to polystyrene nanoplastics caused significant DNA damage in blood and brain cells, along with changes in genes related to immune function and stress response. Higher concentrations led to more severe effects, and the nanoplastics also disrupted liver antioxidant defenses. Since carp are widely consumed fish, these findings raise questions about the safety of fish from nanoplastic-contaminated waters for human consumption.
Effects of Sub-Chronic Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Lipid and Antioxidant Metabolism in Sparus aurata
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Researchers exposed gilthead seabream to polystyrene nanoplastics for 14 days and measured effects on blood, tissue, and gene expression. While the fish showed no visible tissue damage or changes in body condition, they had reduced hemoglobin levels and significant downregulation of genes related to fat metabolism, growth, and antioxidant defense. The study suggests that nanoplastics can cause subtle but meaningful biological changes in fish even when outward signs of harm are absent.
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