Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Exploring developmental toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPS): Insights from investigations using zebrafish embryos

This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics harm embryo development using zebrafish as a model organism that shares genetic similarities with humans. Studies show these tiny plastic particles cause damage to the brain, heart, gut, and immune system of developing embryos, largely through oxidative stress and cell death pathways.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 34 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

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
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastics toxicity

Lab experiments tested the toxicity of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene microplastics on a green alga, a water flea, and zebrafish embryos, finding harmful effects at various concentrations. The study provides toxicological data supporting that microplastics pose real risks to aquatic organisms.

2020 Repository of Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology University of Zagreb
Article Tier 2

Research progress of model animal zebrafish in toxicity evaluation of microplastics

This review examines the use of zebrafish as a model organism for evaluating the toxicity of microplastics, synthesizing research on how microplastic exposure affects development, reproduction, and physiological function in this well-established vertebrate model. The authors highlight zebrafish as a particularly valuable system for mechanistic toxicology studies given its genetic tractability and the breadth of endpoints assessable across life stages.

2022 SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics in the Environment and the Effects on the Zebrafish

This study reviewed the effects of nanoplastic exposure on zebrafish, covering how these tiny particles affect development, organ function, behavior, and reproductive success. Zebrafish are a widely used model organism for toxicology, and findings in this species provide insight into potential effects in other vertebrates including humans.

2019 American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 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

In vivo biotoxicological assessment of nanoplastics and microplastics predicted using the zebrafish model

This review summarises zebrafish studies on the toxicity of nanoplastics and microplastics, covering developmental, reproductive, neurological, and organ-level effects. It discusses how findings in this widely used model organism may predict human health outcomes and calls for standardised exposure protocols.

2025 PeerJ
Article Tier 2

Toxicological review of micro- and nano-plastics in aquatic environments: Risks to ecosystems, food web dynamics and human health.

This review synthesized evidence on the toxicological effects of micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems, covering risks to individual organisms, disruptions to food web dynamics, and pathways through which plastic exposure poses risks to human health via seafood consumption.

2024 Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
Article Tier 2

Zebrafish Insights into Nanomaterial Toxicity: A Focused Exploration on Metallic, Metal Oxide, Semiconductor, and Mixed-Metal Nanoparticles

This review summarizes research on how various nanomaterials, including nano-sized plastics, affect zebrafish, which are commonly used as stand-ins for studying human health effects. Exposure to nanomaterials caused developmental defects, organ damage, behavioral changes, and reproductive problems in zebrafish. These findings help scientists understand the potential health risks of nanomaterial exposure to humans and the environment.

2024 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics Prevalence, Food Web Interactions, and Toxicity Assessment in Aquatic Organisms: A Review

This review examines the prevalence of micro- and nanoplastics across aquatic environments and their documented toxic effects on organisms ranging from plankton to fish, including DNA damage, reproductive harm, and neurotoxicity. Researchers found clear evidence that these particles transfer through aquatic food webs and can ultimately reach humans through seafood consumption. The study calls for more research into how microplastics carrying multiple contaminants cause combined toxic effects in marine organisms.

2022 Frontiers in Marine Science 164 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicological Research on Nano and Microplastics in Environmental Pollution: Current Advances and Future Directions

This review summarizes existing research on how nano- and microplastics from our massive global plastic production enter aquatic environments, absorb harmful chemicals, and move through food chains into living organisms. Studies show these particles can cause brain damage, disrupt metabolism, trigger inflammation, and produce harmful oxidative stress in aquatic species, with microplastics even detected in commercial fish that people eat.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Biotransport and toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics in fish model and their potential risk to humans: A review

This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics enter fish through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, causing damage to multiple organ systems including the brain, heart, and reproductive organs. The particles trigger harmful cellular responses such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The study emphasizes that these pollutants can also reach humans through the food chain, highlighting the need for strategies to reduce plastic contamination in aquatic environments.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 8 citations
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

Evaluation of phenotypic and behavioral toxicity of micro- and nano-plastic polystyrene particles in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene particles ranging from 50 nanometers to 10 micrometers and found that nearly all sizes caused physical abnormalities and changes in swimming behavior. Smaller particles were taken up more readily and distributed to organs including the brain and gut. These findings are relevant to human health because zebrafish share many biological pathways with humans, and the results suggest that both micro- and nano-sized plastics can cause developmental harm.

2025 Toxicological Sciences 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Unraveling the ecotoxicological effects of micro and nano-plastics on aquatic organisms and human health

This review summarizes the growing body of evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics affect aquatic organisms and, through the food chain, potentially human health. The tiny plastic particles absorb toxic pollutants and pathogens from the water, acting as carriers that deliver these harmful substances into the bodies of fish, shellfish, and other organisms. The review highlights that both direct plastic toxicity and indirect chemical exposure through contaminated seafood pose risks to human consumers.

2024 Frontiers in Environmental Science 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Potentiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon uptake in zebrafish embryos by nanoplastics

Nanoplastics present in the environment were found to enhance the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in zebrafish embryos, suggesting that plastic particles can act as a "Trojan horse" that increases exposure to other toxic pollutants. This combined toxicity effect raises important concerns about the true health risks of microplastic contamination.

2020 Environmental Science Nano 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Cardiovascular toxicity assessment of polyethylene nanoplastics on developing zebrafish embryos

Researchers assessed the cardiovascular effects of polyethylene nanoplastics on developing zebrafish embryos and found that exposure above 50 micrograms per milliliter caused pericardial edema, reduced cardiac output, and impaired blood vessel formation. The nanoplastics also triggered oxidative stress and inflammation, which contributed to blood clot formation in the embryos. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure could pose risks to cardiovascular development in living organisms.

2021 Chemosphere 151 citations
Article Tier 2

Multi-Laboratory Hazard Assessment of Contaminated Microplastic Particles by Means of Enhanced Fish Embryo Test With the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A multi-laboratory study using an enhanced zebrafish embryo test assessed the hazard of microplastics contaminated with environmental pollutants, finding that the combination of plastics and sorbed chemicals caused greater toxicity than either alone. The inter-laboratory approach helps validate this testing method for regulatory use in assessing microplastic hazards.

2019 Frontiers in Environmental Science 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity assessment of pollutants sorbed on microplastics using various bioassays on two fish cell lines

Researchers collected microplastic samples from ocean expeditions and tested their toxicity using two fish cell lines, finding that cell lines differed in sensitivity and that microplastics with sorbed pollutants were toxic to cells. The results suggest that real-world microplastics carrying accumulated chemical pollutants pose a chemical toxicity risk to marine organisms beyond just the physical effects of ingesting plastic.

2016 Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics induced developmental toxicity with microcirculation dysfunction in zebrafish embryos

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics (1 micrometer) and nanoplastics (0.4 micrometer) to assess developmental toxicity. They found that nanoplastics caused significantly higher mortality and more severe microcirculation dysfunction than microplastics, despite being less visible in solution. The study indicates that smaller plastic particles may pose greater developmental risks to aquatic organisms during early life stages.

2021 Chemosphere 57 citations
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

From particle size to brain function: a zebrafish-based review of micro/nanoplastic-induced neurobehavioral toxicity and mechanistic pathways

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.

2025 Environmental Science Nano 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic effects of polyethylene-microplastics on freshwater fish species: Implications for human health

This study reviews the toxic effects of polyethylene microplastics on freshwater fish species and the implications for human health, drawing on a body of existing literature on plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. The work synthesizes evidence of microplastic ingestion, bioaccumulation, and physiological effects in freshwater fish with relevance to human dietary exposure.

2022 Public Health Toxicology 3 citations