Introduction Microplastics (MPs) ingestion has been demonstrated in several living organisms, indicating the widespread dispersion of these tiny particles throughout aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, we elucidate the concentration-dependent ecotoxicological effects of low-density polyethylene microplastics (LDPE MPs) on the commercially important freshwater fish Heteropneustes fossilis . Methods Experimental set up one control and different concentration (100, 500, 1000 μg/L) of LDPE MPs exposed groups had six fish per group for seven days duration. Exposed fish specimens were evaluated for behavioral, hematological (direct, indirect parameters), biochemical (glycogen, lipid, and protein), antioxidant stress enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; peroxidase, POD; and lipid peroxidation, LPO), and histopathological changes in major vital organs compared to the control experimental group. Results The hematological indices (RBC counts, Hb, Hct, and MCHC) showed a significant decline after exposure to MPs. The biochemical changes were tissue-specific, following the order: Muscle Gill Intestine Brain Kidney Liver. Histopathological damage was recorded as maximum in the gills, followed by the intestine, stomach, liver, and kidney. The least damage was in the brain. The antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD) showed a decline, whereas LPO levels increased at higher MPs concentrations, indicating oxidative stress compared to the control group. Discussion The study demonstrated that LDPE MPs exert adverse effects on target organs and significantly alter the immune response in MPs exposed experimental fish, H. fossilis .
Gautam et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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