Effects of dietary polyvinylchloride microparticles on general health, immune status and expression of several genes related to stress in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

Espinosa, Cristóbal; Cuesta, Alberto

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2017.07.006

Cited by 167 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…No significant weight differences were observed between the test groups and the control group. Similar results were reported in Symphysodon aequifasciatus 96 and S. aurata exposed to MPs for 30 days 97 and 45 days 47 . Likewise, Acanthochromis polyaccantus exposed to MPs (average 2 mm diameter) for 42 days did not show significant changes in body condition 22 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

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

Sales‐Ribeiro

Brito‐Casillas

Fernandez

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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The aquatic environment and the associated fish assemblages are being exposed to an increasing amount of microplastics. Despite the high number of publications on the presence of microplastics in fish, little is known about their uptake, translocation and accumulation within fish organs. Experimental studies on the detection and effects of pristine microplastics in fish have shown controversial and ambiguous results, respectively. Here, we conducted two experiments to detect and assess the impacts of dietary exposure of Danio rerio to different types of pristine microplastics. Our results show that D. rerio recognizes plastic particles as inedible materials but ingests them when mixed with food or fish oil. Accidental ingestion occurs in fish exposed to relatively small (1-5 µm) microplastic particles without associated food or fish oil. Additionally, D. rerio effectively eliminated pristine microplastics 24 h after ingestion; however, retention time was associated with increasing particle size and the intake of additional meals. Clinical signs, such as anorexia and lethargy, are present in fish fed relatively large microplastics (120-220 µm). The ingestion of microplastics does not induce any histopathological changes. To the best of our knowledge, we are able, for the first time, to fully demonstrate the uptake and translocation of plastic microbeads using confocal microscopy. Our results question the findings of previous studies on the detection and effects of pristine microplastics in fish and state that inaccurate interpretations of the histological findings regarding microplastics in fish organs is a prevalent flaw in the current scientific literature. The ever-growing production of plastics 1,2 and their relatively short lifespan 3 , combined with indiscriminate waste-disposal practices and accidental releases 1 , have led to the accumulation of plastics in aquatic environments worldwide 4-9. This situation is especially worrisome due to their long degradation time 2 and potential to be ingested by aquatic organisms 3. In water, plastics undergo weathering 10 through photolytic, mechanical and biological degradation 11,12. Under these circumstances, larger plastics degrade into smaller fragments 12 , i.e., microplastics (MPs) (< 5 mm) 13. Another source of MPs in aquatic environments is micro-sized particles intentionally manufactured for use in domestic products (e.g., cosmetics and clothing) and industrial products (media blasting and industrial feedstock) 11,12 , which are directly introduced into the environment by human activity 10. MPs can display a variety of shapes, sizes and colours 12. In aquatic systems, the predominant shapes of MPs are fibres 14-18 , fragments 6,7,19,20 and microbeads 21. The small size and ubiquity of MPs 22 makes them easily available to aquatic fauna, which are prone to ingest them by confusion with food, accidental ingestion or by transfer through the food chain 23,24. Several studies have documented the ingestion of plastic and MP particles in aquatic species (invertebrat...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

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

Sales‐Ribeiro

Brito‐Casillas

Fernandez

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The biochemical parameters in the blood were not significantly different between the control and treatments, indicating a lack of stress after the ingestion of microplastics. Similarly, a dietary exposure concentration to PVC microplastics that was five times higher (0.5 g kg -1 ) for 30 days induced a small increase in the AST, albumin, and globulin levels of S. aurata, while the levels of glucose and other monitored parameters remained unchanged (Espinosa et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Virgin microplastics are not causing imminent harm to fish after dietary exposure

Jovanović

Gökdağ

Güven

et al. 2018

Marine Pollution Bulletin

215

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Among aquatic organisms, fish are particularly susceptible to ingesting microplastic particles due to their attractive coloration, buoyancy, and resemblance to food. However, in previous experimental setups, fish were usually exposed to unrealistically high concentrations of microplastics, or the microplastics were deliberately contaminated with persistent organic chemicals; also, in many experiments, the fish were exposed only during the larval stages. The present study investigated the effects of virgin microplastics in gilt-head seabream (Sparus aurata) after 45 days' exposure at 0.1 g kg bodyweight day to 6 common types of microplastics. The overall growth, biochemical analyses of the blood, histopathology, and the potential of the microplastics to accumulate in gastrointestinal organs or translocate to the liver and muscles were monitored and recorded. The results revealed that ingestion of virgin microplastics does not cause imminent harm to the adult gilt-head seabream during 45 days of exposure and an additional 30 days of depuration. The retention of virgin microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract was fairly low, indicating effective elimination of microplastics from the body of the fish and no significant accumulation after successive meals. Therefore, both the short- and the long-term retention potential of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of fish is close to zero. However, some large particles remained trapped in the liver, and 5.3% of all the livers analyzed contained at least one microplastic particle. In conclusion, the dietary exposure of S. aurata to 6 common types of virgin microplastics did not induce stress, alter the growth rate, cause pathology, or cause the microplastics to accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract of the fish.

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“…Exposure to PE microparticles (250 and 500 μg/L, for 30 days) impaired the complement system and the levels of activity of immunity-related enzymes in the plasma of carp [113]. Espinosa et al showed in fishes that exposure to PVC microplastics (40-150 μm, 1 to 500 mg/kg, for between 1 h and 3 weeks) disturbed phagocytic capacity and increased the head-kidney leukocytes' respiratory burst [88,114,115]. Polyethylene also enhanced the headkidney leukocytes' respiratory burst in fishes, and dysregulated major immune response proteins in the hemolymph of mussels [88,115].…”

Section: In Vivo Immunotoxicity Of Nano-and Microplastics In Vertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review of the literature

2020

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Background Together with poor biodegradability and insufficient recycling, the massive production and use of plastics have led to widespread environmental contamination by nano- and microplastics. These particles accumulate across ecosystems - even in the most remote habitats - and are transferred through food chains, leading to inevitable human ingestion, that adds to the highest one due to food processes and packaging. Objective The present review aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of current knowledge regarding the effects of nano- and microplastics on intestinal homeostasis. Methods We conducted a literature search focused on the in vivo effects of nano- and microplastics on gut epithelium and microbiota, as well as on immune response. Results Numerous animal studies have shown that exposure to nano- and microplastics leads to impairments in oxidative and inflammatory intestinal balance, and disruption of the gut’s epithelial permeability. Other notable effects of nano- and microplastic exposure include dysbiosis (changes in the gut microbiota) and immune cell toxicity. Moreover, microplastics contain additives, adsorb contaminants, and may promote the growth of bacterial pathogens on their surfaces: they are potential carriers of intestinal toxicants and pathogens that can potentially lead to further adverse effects. Conclusion Despite the scarcity of reports directly relevant to human, this review brings together a growing body of evidence showing that nano- and microplastic exposure disturbs the gut microbiota and critical intestinal functions. Such effects may promote the development of chronic immune disorders. Further investigation of this threat to human health is warranted.

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Effects of dietary polyvinylchloride microparticles on general health, immune status and expression of several genes related to stress in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

Cited by 167 publications

References 56 publications

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

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

Virgin microplastics are not causing imminent harm to fish after dietary exposure

Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review of the literature

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