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Synergistic neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles and MEHP in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene nanoparticles and MEHP (a phthalate plasticizer breakdown product) individually and in combination, finding synergistic neurotoxicity in co-exposed larvae driven by oxidative stress that disrupted glycerophospholipid metabolism and cholinergic neurotransmitter synthesis — with combined exposure amplifying bioaccumulation and embryonic cell death beyond what either pollutant caused alone.
The surge in global plastic usage has exacerbated the pollution of nanoplastics and plasticizers in aquatic ecosystems, causing widespread concern about population health issues. We used a zebrafish model to investigate the combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) and plasticizer metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), revealing the synergistic neurotoxic effects and potential mechanisms of compound exposure. Co-exposure amplifies the bioaccumulation of PS-NPs (p < 0.05), causing innate immune damage (p < 0.0001), severe oxidative stress (p < 0.0001), and embryonic apoptosis (p < 0.05), while inducing larval neuromotor dysfunction and changes in neural markers. Further exploration revealed that oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation disrupts glycerophospholipid metabolism and cholinergic synthesis, which can be an important mechanism for neurotoxicity caused by the co-exposure of PS-NPs and MEHP. This hypothesis is supported by dysregulation of acetylcholinesterase (ache), docking protein 7 (dok7), and heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (hspg2) genes linked to neurotransmission. In summary, this study reveals new synergistic toxicity mechanisms between nanoplastics and plasticizers, advancing the risk assessment framework for complex environmental pollutant interactions.
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Adverse effects of polystyrene nanoplastic and its binary mixtures with nonylphenol on zebrafish nervous system: From oxidative stress to impaired neurotransmitter system
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Researchers investigated the individual and combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and the industrial chemical nonylphenol on the zebrafish nervous system over 45 days. Both substances induced oxidative stress and disrupted neurotransmitter systems, with combined exposure generally producing more severe effects on glutamate metabolism and brain tissue damage. The study suggests that the interaction between nanoplastics and co-occurring environmental pollutants can amplify neurotoxic effects in fish.
Enhanced neurotoxic effect of PCB-153 when co-exposed with polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish larvae
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Researchers found that when zebrafish larvae were exposed to both polystyrene nanoplastics and the toxic chemical PCB-153 together, the neurological damage was significantly worse than from either pollutant alone. The combined exposure caused hyperactive swimming behavior and suppressed immune, brain, and detoxification pathways at the genetic level. This is concerning because nanoplastics and persistent organic pollutants frequently co-exist in the environment, meaning their real-world health effects on aquatic life and humans may be greater than studies of single pollutants suggest.
Combined neurotoxicity of aged microplastics and thiamethoxam in the early developmental stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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This study found that aged (weathered) microplastics combined with the insecticide thiamethoxam caused worse neurological damage to zebrafish larvae than either pollutant alone. The combined exposure reduced heart rate and movement, disrupted antioxidant defenses, and altered neurotransmitter levels in ways that were synergistic rather than simply additive. This is relevant to human health because both microplastics and pesticides are common in the environment, and their combined effects may pose greater risks than either one individually.
Interactive neurotoxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics and butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane on early zebrafish embryos
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics and the UV sunscreen chemical BM-DBM interact synergistically to cause neurotoxicity in zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations, disrupting nervous system development and gene expression more severely in combination than either pollutant alone.
Polystyrene nanoplastics enhance the toxicological effects of DDE in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics enhanced the toxicity of the pesticide metabolite DDE in zebrafish larvae, with co-exposure causing greater developmental abnormalities and oxidative stress than either pollutant alone.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.