The effects of exposure to microplastics on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic levels

Yang Liu; Xuewen Jia; Hua Zhu; Qingjing Zhang; Yan He; Yubang Shen; Xiaoyan Xu; Jiale Li

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131831

The effects of exposure to microplastics on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic levels

Chemosphere. 2022 Jan;286(Pt 3):131831. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131831. Epub 2021 Aug 11.

Authors

Yang Liu¹, Xuewen Jia¹, Hua Zhu², Qingjing Zhang², Yan He¹, Yubang Shen¹, Xiaoyan Xu³, Jiale Li⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Beijing Fisheries Research Institute, Beijing, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: xyxu@shou.edu.cn.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: jlli2009@126.com.

PMID: 34411925
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131831

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants that are widely distributed in the aquatic environment. Fish are directly exposed to water and are at risk of ingesting a large amount of MPs. In the present study, the grass carp were exposed to two concentrations of MPs (1000 and 100 μg/L) and fluorescence signals were detected in the liver digestion solution. Grass carp exposed to MPs for 21-days showed liver cytoplasmic vacuolation and inhibited growth. At the end of the exposure period, the fish treated with MPs exhibited inhibition of the antioxidant system and enhancement oxidative stress in comparison with the control group. The transcriptome analysis of grass carp was then performed to reveal the molecular mechanism of the response to MPs. In total, 1554 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The results of GO and KEGG pathway analysis of the DEGs identified energy metabolism-related pathways and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. Taken together, the present study not only highlighted oxidative stress and metabolism disorders related to MP ingestion, but also determined the risk of MP exposure to teleost.

Keywords: Growth performance; Metabolism disorders; Microparticle; Oxidative stress; Transcriptome.

MeSH terms

Animals
Carps* / genetics
Fish Proteins / genetics
Microplastics
Plastics / toxicity
Transcriptome

Substances

Fish Proteins
Microplastics
Plastics