Combined effects of high-fat diet and polystyrene microplastic exposure on microplastic bioaccumulation and lipid metabolism in zebrafish

Extensive use of microplastics (MPs) threatens the safety of aquatic environments and hydrobionts. Increasing the weight of economic fish through high-fat diet (HFD) to increase production is common in aquaculture. However, little is known about the combined effects of MPs and HFD in fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between adiposity and MP bioaccumulation in fish. Using zebrafish as a vertebrate model, the content of polystyrene (PS) MPs in zebrafish tissues exposed to 5 and 50 mu m of 1000 mu g/L PS MPs was detected via confocal Raman spectroscopy in normal diet (ND) and HFD. The content of PS MPs in HFD group was significantly higher than that in ND group. The levels of hepatic lipids were significantly elevated in zebrafish subjected to HFD treatment, and this effect was aggravated by exposure to 5 mu m PS MPs, and even caused liver injury. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that exposure to PS MPs interferes with hepatic lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in zebrafish. These results suggests that in addition to controlling the use and performing proper recycling of plastic products in our daily life, we should not blindly increase the weight of fish through HFD. This aids protect the quality of economic fish and prevent MPs from being consumed by humans through the food chain. This study explored the interaction between fish feed culture and environmental pollutants to provide important reference for fish culture.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adiposity and microplastic bioaccumulation in fish. The results showed that the content of microplastics in fish exposed to high-fat diet (HFD) was significantly higher than that in fish fed a normal diet (ND). Furthermore, HFD combined with microplastic exposure resulted in increased levels of hepatic lipids and liver injury in the fish. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that microplastic exposure interferes with lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in fish. Therefore, it is important to control plastic usage, implement proper recycling, and avoid blindly increasing fish weight through HFD to protect the quality of economic fish and prevent human consumption of microplastics through the food chain.