Nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly pervasive in the environment, raising concerns about their potential health implications, particularly within aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the impact of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSN) on zebrafish liver metabolism using liquid chromatography hybrid quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) based non-targeted metabolomics. Zebrafish were exposed to 50 nm PSN for 28 days at low (L-PSN) and high (H-PSN) concentrations (0.1 and 10 mg/L, respectively) via water. The results revealed significant alterations in key metabolic pathways in low and high exposure groups. The liver metabolites showed different metabolic responses with L-PSN and H-PSN. A total of 2078 metabolite features were identified from the raw data obtained in both positive and negative ion modes, with 190 metabolites deemed statistically significant in both L-PSN and H-PSN groups. Disruptions in lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and amino acid synthesis were identified. Notably, L-PSN exposure induced changes in DNA building blocks, membrane-associated biomarkers, and immune-related metabolites, while H-PSN exposure was associated with oxidative stress, altered antioxidant metabolites, and liver injury. For the first time, L-PSN was found depolymerized in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Utilizing an analytical approach to the adverse outcome pathway (AOP), impaired lipid metabolism and oxidative stress have been identified as potentially conserved key events (KEs) associated with PSN exposure. These KEs further induced liver inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis at the tissue and organ level. Ultimately, this could significantly impact biological health. The study highlights the PSN-induced effects on zebrafish liver metabolism, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of the risks associated with NPs contamination in aquatic ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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纳米塑料污染：对斑马鱼肝脏代谢的影响及其对水生环境健康的影响


纳米塑料（NP）在环境中越来越普遍，引起了人们对其潜在健康影响的担忧，特别是在水生生态系统中。本研究使用基于非靶向代谢组学的液相色谱混合四极杆飞行时间质谱 (LC-QTOF-MS) 探讨了聚苯乙烯纳米颗粒 (PSN) 对斑马鱼肝脏代谢的影响。将斑马鱼通过水暴露于低 (L-PSN) 和高 (H-PSN) 浓度（分别为 0.1 和 10 mg/L）的 50 nm PSN 中 28 天。结果显示，低暴露组和高暴露组的关键代谢途径发生了显着变化。肝脏代谢物对 L-PSN 和 H-PSN 表现出不同的代谢反应。从正离子和负离子模式下获得的原始数据中总共鉴定出 2078 种代谢物特征，其中 190 种代谢物被认为在 L-PSN 和 H-PSN 组中具有统计显着性。脂质代谢、炎症、氧化应激、DNA 损伤和氨基酸合成受到干扰。值得注意的是，L-PSN 暴露会引起 DNA 构建模块、膜相关生物标志物和免疫相关代谢物的变化，而 H-PSN 暴露则与氧化应激、抗氧化代谢物改变和肝损伤相关。首次发现 L-PSN 在肝脏中被细胞色素 P450 酶解聚。利用不良结果途径 (AOP) 的分析方法，脂质代谢受损和氧化应激已被确定为与 PSN 暴露相关的潜在保守关键事件 (KE)。这些 KE 进一步诱导肝脏组织和器官水平的炎症、脂肪变性和纤维化。最终，这可能会严重影响生物健康。 该研究强调了 PSN 对斑马鱼肝脏代谢的影响，强调需要更好地了解水生生态系统中与 NP 污染相关的风险。