PUBLICATION

Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt glucose metabolism and cortisol levels with a possible link to behavioural changes in larval zebrafish

Authors
Brun, N.R., van Hage, P., Hunting, E.R., Haramis, A.G., Vink, S.C., Vijver, M.G., Schaaf, M.J.M., Tudorache, C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-191026-4
Date
2019
Source
Communications biology   2: 382 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Schaaf, Marcel J. M.
Keywords
Behavioural ecology, Behavioural methods, Predictive markers, Toxicology, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Polystyrenes/toxicity*
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
  • Glucose/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity*
  • Hydrocortisone/metabolism
  • Plastics/toxicity
  • Motor Activity/drug effects
  • Nanoparticles/toxicity*
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Mutation
  • Animals
  • Larva/drug effects
  • Larva/physiology
  • Energy Metabolism/drug effects
  • Tissue Distribution
(all 20)
PubMed
31646185 Full text @ Commun Biol
Abstract
Plastic nanoparticles originating from weathering plastic waste are emerging contaminants in aquatic environments, with unknown modes of action in aquatic organisms. Recent studies suggest that internalised nanoplastics may disrupt processes related to energy metabolism. Such disruption can be crucial for organisms during development and may ultimately lead to changes in behaviour. Here, we investigated the link between polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP)-induced signalling events and behavioural changes. Larval zebrafish exhibited PSNP accumulation in the pancreas, which coincided with a decreased glucose level. By using hyperglycemic and glucocorticoid receptor (Gr) mutant larvae, we demonstrate that the PSNP-induced disruption in glucose homoeostasis coincided with increased cortisol secretion and hyperactivity in challenge phases. Our work sheds new light on a potential mechanism underlying nanoplastics toxicity in fish, suggesting that the adverse effect of PSNPs are at least in part mediated by Gr activation in response to disrupted glucose homeostasis, ultimately leading to aberrant locomotor activity.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Figure Gallery (2 images)
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
No data available
Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
s357
    Point Mutation
    s952TgTransgenic Insertion
      1 - 2 of 2
      Show
      Human Disease / Model
      No data available
      Sequence Targeting Reagents
      No data available
      Fish
      No data available
      Antibodies
      No data available
      Orthology
      No data available
      Engineered Foreign Genes
      Marker Marker Type Name
      LuciferaseEFGLuciferase
      mCherryEFGmCherry
      1 - 2 of 2
      Show
      Mapping
      No data available