We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantitative investigation of the mechanisms of microplastics and nanoplastics toward zebrafish larvae locomotor activity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastics and nanoplastics affect zebrafish larvae swimming behavior through both direct toxicity and interactions with the hormone-disrupting chemical EE2. They found that nanoplastics alone inhibited locomotion by causing oxidative damage and reducing body length, while microplastics had minimal direct effects. When combined with chemical pollutants, both plastic sizes altered toxicity outcomes, suggesting that the real-world impact of plastic particles depends heavily on what other contaminants are present.
This study investigated the direct and indirect toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics toward zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae locomotor activity. Results showed that microplastics alone exhibited no significant effects except for the upregulated zfrho visual gene expression; whereas nanoplastics inhibited the larval locomotion by 22% during the last darkness period, and significantly reduced larvae body length by 6%, inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity by 40%, and upregulated gfap, α1-tubulin, zfrho and zfblue gene expression significantly. When co-exposed with 2μg/L 17 α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), microplastics led to alleviation on EE2's inhibition effect on locomotion, which was probably due to the decreased freely dissolved EE2 concentration. However, though nanoplastics showed stronger adsorption ability for EE2, the hypoactivity phenomenon still existed in the nanoplastics co-exposure group. Moreover, when co-exposed with a higher concentration of EE2 (20μg/L), both plastics showed an enhanced effect on the hypoactivity. Principal component analysis was performed to reduce data dimensions and four principal components were reconstituted in terms of oxidative stress, body length, nervous and visual system related genes explaining 84% of total variance. Furthermore, oxidative damage and body length reduction were evaluated to be main reasons for the hypoactivity. Therefore, nanoplastics alone suppressed zebrafish larvae locomotor activity and both plastic particles can change the larvae swimming behavior when co-exposed with EE2. This study provides new insights into plastic particles' effects on zebrafish larvae, improving the understanding of their environmental risks to the aquatic environment.
More Papers Like This
Size- and polymer-dependent effects of polystyrene and polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically compared polystyrene and polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics in zebrafish embryos and larvae, finding that nanoplastics caused mortality, impaired hatching, and disrupted swimming behavior at lower concentrations than microplastics, with surface adhesion to embryonic tissues emerging as a likely initiating mechanism for nanoplastic toxicity.
From particle size to brain function: a zebrafish-based review of micro/nanoplastic-induced neurobehavioral toxicity and mechanistic pathways
AI summary Read the abstract
This review uses zebrafish as a model to examine how micro- and nanoplastics cause neurobehavioral toxicity, linking particle size to brain function disruption. Researchers summarize evidence that these plastic particles impair fish behavior and cause molecular-level damage in the nervous system. The findings highlight the growing concern that micro- and nanoplastics are emerging neurotoxicants in aquatic environments.
Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure and Effects on Embryonic Development and Larval Behavior of Zebrafish
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to nanoplastics for three to five days and measured developmental and behavioral endpoints, finding that plastic accumulation in early development slowed yolk consumption and body growth on day two and increased locomotion while reducing body length by day six — supporting persistent developmental disruption from nanoplastic exposure.
Effects of micro/nanoplastics combined with three anthropogenic chemicals on larval zebrafish (Danio rerio): study of toxicity, behaviour and assessment of uptake
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles alone didn't harm baby zebrafish, but when combined with common chemicals found in flame retardants and antidepressants, the plastics made those chemicals more toxic. This suggests that in the real world, where we're exposed to plastic particles and chemicals together, the combination could be more harmful than either one alone—even though this study was in fish, it raises questions about how plastic pollution might amplify chemical risks for humans too.
Influence of microplastics on bisphenol A and bisphenol AF toxicity in aquatic environments: Mechanistic insights for environmental risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics interact with the industrial chemicals bisphenol A and bisphenol AF in zebrafish, finding that microplastics can either reduce or worsen the toxicity depending on the specific chemical and biological pathway involved. For bisphenol A, the microplastics partially absorbed the chemical and reduced its harmful effects, but for bisphenol AF, they worsened toxicity to certain organ systems. The study reveals that microplastics play a complicated dual role in modifying how other pollutants affect aquatic life.
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.