6PPD-quinone induces immune-hepatotoxicity and behavioral-endocrine disruption in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
ID:379
Poster Presentation
2027-01-15 16:45 (China Standard Time)
Session:Session 59 - Emerging Marine Pollution and Ecotoxicology
Abstract
6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), a transformation product of the tire rubber antioxidant 6PPD, is an emerging contaminant of growing concern in coastal waters, yet its immune-hepatic and behavioral effects on marine fish remain poorly understood. In this study, adult marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) were exposed for 14 days to 0.3, 3, and 6 μg/L of 6PPDQ, concentrations reflecting levels reported in contaminated coastal environments. Survival declined in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching statistical significance at the highest concentration, while body weight and length remained unaffected. Histopathological examination revealed a concentration-dependent progression of hepatic damage, from mild cytoplasmic vacuolization at 0.3 μg/L to extensive necrosis at 6 μg/L, accompanied by significant elevations in hepatic triglyceride, total cholesterol, and ALT activity at the highest concentration. Liver transcriptomic analysis identified consistent enrichment of the PPAR signaling pathway across exposure concentrations, and qPCR validation revealed dose-dependent upregulation of apoptosis-related genes (casp3, casp8) alongside a biphasic immune response, with early pro-inflammatory cytokine induction (tnfα, il1β, cox2) at lower concentrations giving way to immune gene collapse and strong nfkb activation at 6 μg/L. Behaviorally, fish exposed to 6 μg/L showed increased light zone preference and increased social interaction zone entry frequency, alongside significantly elevated cortisol and reduced thyroid hormone (T3) levels, suggesting a link between endocrine disruption and the observed behavioral changes. Preliminary findings in unexposed F1 offspring of exposed parents revealed reduced embryo diameter and altered embryonic and larval heartbeat rates, indicating that some effects of parental 6PPDQ exposure may extend to subsequent generations. Together, these findings demonstrate that 6PPDQ produces combined hepatotoxic, immune, and behavioral-endocrine effects in marine medaka at environmentally relevant concentrations, with preliminary evidence of transgenerational consequences, underscoring an underappreciated ecological risk posed by this tire-derived contaminant in coastal ecosystems.
Speaker
Author
Important Dates
-
Jan 30
2026
Session / Event proposals open
-
Mar 31
2026
Session / Event proposals close
(Extended to April 7) -
Apr 30
2026
Session acceptance notifications
-
Apr 30
2026
Abstract submissions & registration open
-
Jun 30
2026
Abstract submissions close
(Extended to July 21) -
Aug 31
2026
Abstract acceptance notifications
-
Sep 15
2026
Scientific program released
-
Oct 15
2026
Early bird registration closes
-
Jan 12–15
2027
XMAS 2027
