Size-Dependent Effects of Polystyrene Nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on Behaviors and Endogenous Neurochemicals in Zebrafish Larvae

Microplastics, small pieces of plastic derived from polystyrene, have recently become an ecological hazard due to their toxicity and widespread occurrence in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we exposed zebrafish larvae to two types of fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) to identify thei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2022-09, Vol.23 (18), p.10682
Main Authors: Hwang, Kyu-Seok, Son, Yuji, Kim, Seong Soon, Shin, Dae-Seop, Lim, So Hee, Yang, Jung Yoon, Jeong, Ha Neul, Lee, Byung Hoi, Bae, Myung Ae
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic ecosystems
behavior
Blood vessels
Blood-brain barrier
Brain
Danio rerio
Dopamine
Dopamine receptors
EEG
Electroencephalography
Fluorescence
Gene expression
Larvae
Membrane permeability
Metabolism
Metabolites
Microfluidics
nanoparticle
Nanoparticles
Nervous system
neurochemical
Organisms
Permeability
Plastics
polystyrene
Polystyrene resins
Toxic hazards
Toxicity
Zebrafish
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Summary:Microplastics, small pieces of plastic derived from polystyrene, have recently become an ecological hazard due to their toxicity and widespread occurrence in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we exposed zebrafish larvae to two types of fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) to identify their size-dependent effects. PS-NPs of 50 nm, unlike 100 nm PS-NPs, were found to circulate in the blood vessels and accumulate in the brains of zebrafish larvae. Behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis showed that 50 nm PS-NPs induce abnormal behavioral patterns and changes in EEG power spectral densities in zebrafish larvae. In addition, the quantification of endogenous neurochemicals in zebrafish larvae showed that 50 nm PS-NPs disturb dopaminergic metabolites, whereas 100 nm PS-NPs do not. Finally, we assessed the effect of PS-NPs on the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) using a microfluidic system. The results revealed that 50 nm PS-NPs have high BBB penetration compared with 100 nm PS-NPs. Taken together, we concluded that small nanoparticles disturb the nervous system, especially dopaminergic metabolites.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms231810682