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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Global analysis of the adverse effects of micro- and nanoplastics on intestinal health and microbiota of fish
ClearUnderstanding the links between micro/nanoplastics-induced gut microbes dysbiosis and potential diseases in fish: A review
This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in fish intestines and disrupt their gut bacteria, potentially leading to inflammation, immune problems, and metabolic diseases. The disrupted gut microbiome can weaken the intestinal barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter the fish's body. Since fish are a major protein source for billions of people, understanding how microplastics damage fish gut health is important for assessing risks to human food safety.
Global meta‐analysis reveals diverse effects of microplastics on freshwater and marine fishes
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effects of microplastics on fish in both freshwater and ocean environments. The findings show that microplastics reduce feeding, impair digestion, slow growth, and weaken immune function in fish, which is concerning because contaminated fish are a major food source for people worldwide.
Meta-analysis of the effects of microplastic on fish: Insights into growth, survival, reproduction, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota diversity
A meta-analysis of 3,757 biological endpoints from 85 studies found that microplastic exposure significantly inhibits fish growth, survival, and reproduction while increasing oxidative damage, but does not significantly alter gut microbiota diversity. The severity of toxic effects depends on microplastic type, size, concentration, exposure pathway, and the fish's life stage.
Low particle concentrations of nanoplastics impair the gut health of medaka
Researchers exposed Japanese medaka fish to low concentrations of nanoplastics for three months and observed significant damage to gut health, including tissue injury, impaired digestive enzymes, weakened immunity, and disrupted gut bacteria. Even at particle concentrations considered environmentally realistic, the nanoplastics caused measurable harm and increased mortality. The study suggests that long-term exposure to low levels of nanoplastics may pose greater risks to fish health than previously assumed.
Plastics in our water: Fish microbiomes at risk?
This review examined how microplastics and leached plasticizers affect the gut microbiomes of freshwater and marine fish, summarizing evidence for dysbiosis and reduced microbial diversity and discussing potential consequences for fish immunity, metabolism, and environmental fitness.
Size-Dependent Uptake and Depuration of Nanoplastics in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Distinct Intestinal Impacts
Researchers tracked how tilapia fish absorb and eliminate nanoplastics of two sizes (86 and 185 nanometers) and found that both accumulated most heavily in the intestine. Smaller nanoplastics caused more physical damage to the intestinal lining, while larger ones disrupted the gut microbiome more severely. Since tilapia is widely consumed worldwide, the finding that nanoplastics build up in fish tissue and damage their guts raises concerns about the safety of farmed fish as food.
A meta-analysis of the characterisations of plastic ingested by fish globally
This meta-analysis pools data from global studies to assess what types of plastic fish most commonly ingest, finding that microfibers and small fragments dominate across both freshwater and marine species. These findings are important for human health because widespread plastic ingestion by fish means that microplastics are likely present in much of the seafood consumed around the world.
Assessing the Effects of Microplastics on Freshwater Fish
This review examines the growing body of research on how microplastics affect freshwater fish, documenting evidence of ingestion, tissue damage, immune system impairment, and gastrointestinal obstruction across multiple species. Researchers highlight that microplastics from personal care products and degraded plastic goods are accumulating in freshwater ecosystems at concerning rates. The study warns that combined with existing threats like overfishing and habitat loss, microplastic pollution could accelerate population declines in vulnerable fish species.
Nanoplastics impair the intestinal health of the juvenile large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea
Researchers exposed juvenile large yellow croaker fish to nano-sized polystyrene particles to assess impacts on intestinal health and growth. The study found that nanoplastics accumulated in the fish and caused disorders in digestion, antioxidant defenses, immune function, and intestinal microflora, indicating that nanoplastics can significantly impair gut health in commercially important marine fish species.
Micro(nano)plastics in the fish gastrointestinal tract: A mini review and relevance to One Health perspective
Researchers reviewed how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in fish digestive systems and enter the broader food web, highlighting that the fish gut acts as a critical pathway for these particles — and the chemicals stuck to them — to travel from the environment into the human food supply.
Impacts of microplastics on gut health: Current status and future directions
This systematic review found consistent evidence across mouse, fish, and earthworm models that microplastics disrupt gut microbiota composition, impair intestinal barrier integrity, and trigger gastrointestinal inflammation. The correlation between microplastic exposure and gut health deterioration was statistically significant across all animal models examined.
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.
Microplastics and the functional traits of fishes: A global meta‐analysis
This global meta-analysis pooled data from multiple studies to measure how microplastics affect fish. The results showed that microplastic exposure harms feeding behavior, growth, and overall health in fish, with younger fish being especially vulnerable. Since fish are a major protein source for humans, these effects could ultimately impact food security and the quality of seafood on our plates.
Nanoplastics Induce More Serious Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inflammation in the Gut of Adult Zebrafish than Microplastics
Researchers compared the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the gut health of adult zebrafish and found that nanoplastics caused significantly more severe disruption to gut microbial communities and inflammation. Even at low concentrations, nanoplastics altered the abundance of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria more dramatically than larger microplastic particles. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may pose greater risks to digestive health due to their ability to penetrate tissues more easily.
Micro/nano-plastics cause neurobehavioral toxicity in discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus): Insight from brain-gut-microbiota axis
Researchers exposed juvenile discus fish to microfibers and nanoplastics and found that both types caused neurobehavioral problems, but through different mechanisms involving the brain-gut-microbiota axis. Nanoplastics weakened swimming and predatory abilities, while microfibers reduced growth, and both disrupted gut microbial communities that influence brain function. The study provides the first evidence linking microplastic-induced gut microbiome changes to neurological effects in fish through the gut-brain connection.
Effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on the intestinal histopathology, oxidative stress, and microbiota of Acrossocheilus yunnanensis
Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the intestinal health of a freshwater fish species and found significant damage to the gut lining, including ruptured tissue and damaged nutrient-absorbing structures. The nanoplastics also increased oxidative stress markers and shifted the composition of gut bacteria, reducing beneficial species. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure can compromise both the physical barrier and microbial balance of fish intestines.
Microplasts in Freshwater Fish – Problems and Challenges
This review examines microplastic contamination of freshwater fish, covering ingestion evidence from over 150 species, the mechanisms of accumulation in gastrointestinal and other tissues, potential health impacts, and challenges in standardizing quantification methodologies.
Species-Specific Effects of Microplastics On Juvenile Fishes
This study found that polystyrene microplastics cause intestinal inflammation and tissue damage in three fish species with different feeding habits, with effects varying by fish diet type, plastic size, and exposure duration. The findings show that microplastic-induced gut harm in fish is species-specific, complicating risk assessments for wild fish populations.
A meta-analysis of the characterisations of plastic ingested by fish globally
This meta-analysis pools data from studies worldwide to characterize the types of plastic that fish ingest, finding that small fibers and fragments are the most common forms consumed. The findings matter for human health because the same fish that swallow these microplastics are often eaten by people, creating a direct pathway for plastic particles to enter our diet.
Different effects of nano- and microplastics on oxidative status and gut microbiota in the marine medaka Oryzias melastigma
Researchers compared the effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on oxidative stress and gut microbiota in marine medaka fish. They found that nanoplastics caused more severe oxidative damage and greater disruption to the gut microbial community than larger microplastic particles. The study suggests that particle size plays a critical role in determining the biological impact of plastic pollution on aquatic organisms.