Nanosilvers with multifarious morphologies have been
extensively
used in many fields, but their morphology-dependent toxicity toward
nontarget aquatic organisms remains largely unclear. Herein, we used
matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging
(MALDI-MSI) to investigate the toxicological effects of silver nanomaterials
with various morphologies on spatially resolved lipid profiles within
multiple organs in adult zebrafish, especially for the gill, liver,
and intestine. Integrated with histopathology, enzyme activity, accumulated
Ag contents and amounts, as well as MSI results, we found that nanosilvers
exhibit morphology-dependent nanotoxicity by disrupting lipid levels
and producing oxidative stress. Silver nanospheres (AgNSs) had the
highest toxicity toward adult zebrafish, whereas silver nanoflakes
(AgNFs) exhibited greater toxicity than silver nanowires (AgNWs).
Levels of differential phospholipids, such as PC, PE, PI, and PS,
were associated with nanosilver morphology. Notably, we found that
AgNSs induced greater toxicity in multiple organs, such as the brain,
gill, and liver, while AgNWs and AgNFs caused greater toxicity in
the intestine than AgNSs. Lipid functional disturbance and oxidative
stress further caused inflammation and membrane damage after exposure
to nanosilvers, especially with respect to sphere morphology. Taken
together, these findings will contribute to clarifying the toxicological
effects and mechanisms of different morphologies of nanosilvers in
adult zebrafish.