Toxic effects on bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, oxidative stress, immune responses and neurotoxicity in fish exposed to microplastics: A review

Exposure to microplastics (MP) in aquatic environment leads to bioaccumulation in fish, with MP size being a major factor in determining the accumulation profile. MPs absorbed into the fish body enter the circulatory system and affect hematological properties, changing the blood physiology. MPs also induce an imbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant capacity, causing oxidative damage. In addition, MPs impact immune responses due to physical and chemical toxicity, and cause neurotoxicity, altering AchE activity. Here, the toxic effects of MPs in fish through various indicators were examined, including bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, antioxidant responses, immune responses, and neurotoxicity in relation to MP exposure, facilitating the identification of biomarkers of MP toxicity following exposure of fish.

Automated summary

Exposure to microplastics in aquatic environments leads to bioaccumulation in fish, affecting hematological properties, changing blood physiology, inducing imbalance in reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant capacity, causing oxidative damage, impacting immune responses, and causing neurotoxicity. This study examined various indicators of microplastic toxicity in fish to facilitate the identification of biomarkers following exposure.