The effect of dietary polystyrene nanoplastics on the growth performance, survival rate, liver enzyme activity, and the expression of the IL1 و IL8 genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Ahmadifar, Ehsan

doi:10.22124/japb.2023.24905.1504

The effect of dietary polystyrene nanoplastics on the growth performance, survival rate, liver enzyme activity, and the expression of the IL1 و IL8 genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Ehsan Ahmadifar

aDepartment of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

10.22124/japb.2023.24905.1504

Abstract

There are widespread concerns about the potential toxic effects of microplastics as emerging pollutants. The current research investigated the impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on the growth performance, survival rate, liver enzymes activity, and the expression of IL1 and IL8 genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were divided into four treatments and fed with diets containing (control) 0, (treatment 1) 100, (treatment 2) 500 and (treatment 3) 1000 mg kg-1 diet for one month. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were affected by the experimental treatments, and with increasing concentration of polystyrene nanoplastic, they decreased significantly (p<0.05). The best FCR was obtained in control and treatment 1 (p<0.05). No mortality was observed through different treatments (p>0.05). The highest activity of ALT, ALP, and AST was observed in treatment 3 (p<0.05). The highest level of IL1 and IL8 genes expression was measured in treatment 3 and the lowest level was seen in control (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this research showed that a diet containing polystyrene nanoplastics had a negative effect on the growth (WG and SGR) and health indicators of the fish and the greatest disturbance in the growth and health of fish was observed in high concentrations.

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