Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Uptake Routes and Biodistribution of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Zebrafish Larvae and Toxic Effects on Development

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics to study uptake routes and biodistribution. The study found that nanoplastics accumulated in target organs and caused toxic developmental effects, providing evidence that these tiny plastic fragments can penetrate biological barriers and interfere with normal development in aquatic organisms.

2023 Fishes 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish

Researchers tracked the accumulation and distribution of fluorescent microplastics in early life stages of a freshwater organism, finding that microplastics were taken up and distributed across body tissues. The results help explain how microplastics accumulate in young aquatic organisms and potentially affect their development.

2021 Journal of Visualized Experiments 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Fluorescent plastic nanoparticles to track their interaction and fate in physiological environments

This study developed fluorescently labeled plastic nanoparticles made from PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene that can be tracked in biological environments to study how nanoplastics are taken up and processed by living organisms. Having trackable model nanoplastics is an important tool for understanding how these particles move through tissues and food chains.

2020 Environmental Science Nano 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Special Distribution of Nanoplastics in the Central Nervous System of Zebrafish during Early Development

Researchers injected fluorescent nanoplastics into zebrafish embryos and found the particles became trapped in the brain, eyes, and spinal cord during early development and stayed there rather than moving to other organs. Although the nanoplastics did not embed directly in nerve cells, they still disrupted brain signaling and reduced larval movement, suggesting early-life nanoplastic exposure could interfere with nervous system development.

2024 ACS Nano 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Bioaccumulation of various nanoplastic particles in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) to 40-60 nm and 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastic particles using standard fish embryo toxicity and general behavioral toxicity assays from 6-120 hours post-fertilization, combining toxicity endpoints with fluorescence microscopy to confirm particle uptake and excretion. The study demonstrated nanoplastic accumulation within zebrafish larvae at tested concentrations, providing mechanistic insights into aquatic organism exposure dynamics for nanoplastics.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Neurobehavioral and neurochemical effects of nano-sized polypropylene accumulation in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polypropylene nanoparticles and confirmed the particles accumulated in brain tissue using advanced imaging and chemical analysis. The accumulation led to measurable neurotoxic effects, including reduced movement activity and disrupted neurotransmitter levels. The study suggests that nanoscale polypropylene, one of the most commonly produced plastics, may pose risks to nervous system function in aquatic organisms.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Zebrafish embryos as a biological model to study the effects of nanoplastics

This study used zebrafish embryos as a model system to investigate the toxic effects of nanoplastics, finding developmental disruptions at concentrations relevant to environmental exposure. Zebrafish embryos are a widely used model because their transparency allows direct visualization of organ development during toxicant exposure.

2019 Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT)
Article Tier 2

Using visualization techniques to assess the accumulation of nanoplastics with varying surface modifications

Researchers synthesized fluorescent PMMA nanoplastic particles to study cellular uptake and biodistribution in skin cells and zebrafish embryos, finding that PMMA nanoparticles can enter embryos and accumulate in larval bodies, and highlighting concerns that surface modifications on commercial polystyrene particles may produce misleading results in nanoplastic toxicity studies.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative Tracking of Nanoplastic Uptake and Distribution in Zebrafish by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a new method to track nanoplastics at the single-particle level in zebrafish using europium-doped polystyrene particles and mass spectrometry. They found that while most nanoplastics accumulated in the intestine, particles continuously penetrated into internal organs including the brain, demonstrating the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The study suggests that nanoplastics pose a systemic exposure risk, though the chorion of fish eggs appears to block their entry.

2025 Analytical Chemistry 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake, bioaccumulation, biodistribution and depuration of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers used advanced mass spectrometry to track how polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in and are cleared from zebrafish tissues over time. The nanoplastics concentrated most in the intestine, liver, and gills, with only partial clearance after the exposure ended. This study provides important data on how persistent nanoplastics can be in living organisms, which helps scientists better assess the long-term risks of plastic particle exposure.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative Tracking of Nanoplastic Uptake and Distributionin Zebrafish by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a framework using europium-doped polystyrene nanoplastics as tracers, combined with single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, to quantitatively track nanoplastic uptake and distribution in zebrafish at the single-particle level. This method enabled real-time, size-resolved tracking of nanoplastics accumulating in different fish organs over time.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Uptake, tissue distribution, and toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers tracked the uptake and distribution of polystyrene nanoparticles in developing zebrafish and found that the particles accumulated in the yolk sac and then spread to the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. While the nanoparticles did not cause significant mortality or deformities, they did reduce heart rate and alter swimming behavior. The study suggests that nanoplastics can penetrate biological barriers and accumulate in multiple tissues during early development.

2017 Aquatic Toxicology 614 citations
Article Tier 2

Use of fluorescent-labelled nanoplastics (NPs) to demonstrate NP absorption is inconclusive without adequate controls

Researchers demonstrated that fluorescent dyes used to label polystyrene nanoplastics can leach from particles and independently accumulate in zebrafish tissues, warning that many prior studies claiming nanoplastic absorption into internal organs may have been detecting dye rather than particles — and calling for stricter controls in nanoplastic uptake research.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 171 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake, removal and trophic transfer of fluorescent polyethylene microplastics by freshwater model organisms: the impact of particle size and food availability

Researchers used fluorescent polyethylene microplastics of different sizes to track how they move through a freshwater food chain from algae to water fleas to zebrafish. They found that smaller particles were ingested and transferred more readily between organisms, and that food availability influenced how many microplastics accumulated. The study demonstrates that microplastics can move up the food chain and that particle size plays a key role in how they are transported through aquatic ecosystems.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Recognition and movement of polystyrene nanoplastics in fish cells

Researchers tracked how zebrafish cells take up, transport, and release three types of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface modifications. They found that cell uptake peaked within two hours and occurred mainly through specific cellular pathways, with the particles initially entering the cytoplasm before being transported to lysosomes. The nanoplastics were retained in cells for 10 to 15 hours depending on surface chemistry, highlighting the importance of understanding how these particles move through biological systems.

2022 Environmental Pollution 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Zebrafish: An emerging model to study microplastic and nanoplastic toxicity

This review highlights zebrafish as an increasingly valuable model organism for studying the toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics due to their transparent embryos, genetic similarity to humans, and ease of laboratory use. Researchers summarized existing zebrafish studies showing that plastic particles can cross biological barriers and accumulate in tissues, causing various toxic effects. The study positions zebrafish research as a key tool for advancing our understanding of how plastic particle exposure affects living organisms.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 434 citations
Article Tier 2

An end to the controversy over the microscopic detection and effects of pristine microplastics in fish organs

Researchers conducted feeding experiments with zebrafish to resolve conflicting findings about microplastic detection and effects in fish. They found that zebrafish generally recognize plastic particles as inedible but ingest them when mixed with food, and effectively eliminate most particles within 24 hours, though larger particles take longer to clear. The study demonstrates using confocal microscopy to track plastic microbead uptake and translocation in fish for the first time, while finding no histopathological damage from pristine microplastic ingestion.

2020 Scientific Reports 141 citations
Article Tier 2

Digestible Fluorescent Coatings for Cumulative Quantification of Microplastic Ingestion

Researchers developed digestible fluorescent coatings for microplastic particles that allow cumulative quantification of ingestion over time, overcoming the limitation of gut-content snapshots by enabling tracking of total microplastic exposure in organisms.

2017 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the embryotoxicity of polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics generated through simulated environmental weathering in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers generated environmentally weathered polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics through combined UV and mechanical degradation and exposed zebrafish embryos, finding accelerated hatching, abnormal spontaneous movements, altered swimming behavior, and particle accumulation on the egg surface — indicating meaningful developmental and behavioral toxicity during early life stages.

2026 NanoImpact
Article Tier 2

A mechanistic understanding of the effects of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to nanoplastics made from PET, the plastic commonly used in water bottles and food packaging. The nanoplastics accumulated in the liver, intestine, and kidneys, causing oxidative stress, damaging cell energy systems, and disrupting metabolism. This is the first comprehensive study of PET nanoplastic toxicity mechanisms, and it is particularly relevant because PET is one of the most common plastics that humans encounter daily.

2023 Scientific Reports 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative assessment and monitoring of microplastics and nanoplastics distributions and lipid metabolism in live zebrafish using hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

Researchers developed a new imaging technique to watch microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in live zebrafish in real time, without needing dyes or labels. They found that these tiny plastic particles built up in the fish's digestive system and disrupted fat metabolism, providing direct visual evidence of how micro- and nanoplastics can interfere with basic biological processes.

2024 Environment International 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges in assessing ecological and health risks of microplastics and nanoplastics: tracking their dynamics in living organisms

Researchers proposed a new method for tracking micro- and nanoplastics in living organisms using fluorescent monomers built directly into the plastic particles during synthesis. Current detection methods require destructive sampling and only provide static snapshots, missing the real-time movement of particles through biological systems. This fluorescent monomer approach is designed to enable continuous, stable imaging of plastic particles as they move through complex biological environments.

2026 New Contaminants
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics Cause Neurobehavioral Impairments, Reproductive and Oxidative Damages, and Biomarker Responses in Zebrafish: Throwing up Alarms of Wide Spread Health Risk of Exposure

Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles accumulated in the brain, liver, intestine, and gonads, causing significant behavioral and physiological changes. The fish showed disrupted energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and altered locomotion, aggression, and predator avoidance behaviors. The findings raise concerns about the widespread health risks of nanoplastic exposure, as these particles are small enough to cross biological membranes.

2020 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 410 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic effects of environmental-relevant exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro and nanoparticles in zebrafish early development

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to PET plastic micro and nanoparticles at levels found in the environment and observed toxic effects including reduced tail movement, faster heart rates, and changes in eye development. The smaller nanoplastic particles were especially concerning because they are more easily absorbed by developing organisms. These findings suggest that PET plastic pollution in water could harm fish development, raising questions about effects on other species exposed through contaminated water.

2024 NanoImpact 10 citations