Dietary intake of microplastics impairs digestive performance, induces hepatic dysfunction, and shortens lifespan in the annual fish Nothobranchius guentheri

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem, increasingly becoming a serious concern of human health. Many studies have explored the biological effects of MPs on animal and plant life in recent years. However, information regarding the effects of MPs on aging and lifespan is completely lacking in vertebrate species to date. Here we first confirm the bioavailability of MPs by oral delivery in the annual fish N. guentheri. We then show for the first time that administration of MPs not only shortens the lifespan but also accelerates the development of age-related biomarkers in N. guentheri. We also demonstrate that administration of MPs induces oxidative stress, suppresses antioxidant enzymes, reduces digestive enzymes, and causes hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, we propose that administration of MPs reduces lifespan of N. guentheri via induction of both suppressed antioxidant system and digestive disturbance as well as hepatic damage. Our results also suggest that smaller MPs appear more toxic to digestion, metabolism and growth of animals.

Automated summary

Microplastics (MPs) are widely present in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, posing an increasingly serious threat to human health. Many recent studies have examined the biological effects of MPs on animal and plant life, but there is a lack of information on the effects of MPs on aging and lifespan in vertebrate species. In this study, we confirmed the bioavailability of MPs through oral delivery in the annual fish N. guentheri, and for the first time, showed that administration of MPs not only shortened lifespan but also accelerated the development of age-related biomarkers. We also demonstrated that administration of MPs induced oxidative stress, suppressed antioxidant enzymes, reduced digestive enzymes, and caused hepatic dysfunction.