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Triple combination exposure to MPs, Pb2+ and As3+ induces ferroptosis at environmentally relevant concentrations in early development of zebrafish
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to a combination of microplastics, lead, and arsenic at concentrations found in the environment and observed severe developmental effects, including a survival rate drop to just 33%. The triple exposure disrupted normal development, altered behavior, and triggered a form of cell death called ferroptosis by interfering with iron transport and antioxidant systems. The study demonstrates that even low concentrations of these common environmental contaminants can cause significant harm when organisms are exposed to them simultaneously.
There remains a substantial knowledge gap in understanding the coexistence effects of Microplastics (MPs), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), which are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Here, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were used to investigate the impact of triple combined exposure to MPs (50 μg/L), Pb (10 μg/L) and As (200 μg/L) on the developmental responses. Survival and hatching rates were notably reduced to 32.7 % and 58.8 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the frequency of spontaneous tail contractions increased by 8.1 %, whereas heart rate and body length decreased by 4.4 % and 5.1 %, respectively. These findings demonstrated that the triple exposure markedly disrupted developmental processes and altered behavioral profiles in zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, 16 S rRNA sequencing revealed that the metabolic processes of glutathione and xenobiotics, as well as intracellular iron transport, were significantly impacted, triggering ferroptosis in the larvae exposed to triple combination. Collectively, the co-exposure to MPs, Pb and As even at low concentrations could significantly disrupt the developmental progress and biological functioning during the early stages of zebrafish. This will help guide future comprehensive studies on the impact of triple combined exposure during early developmental stages.
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Researchers found that carp fish exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and the pesticide Emamectin Benzoate suffered severe spleen damage through a specific cell death process called ferroptosis. The combined exposure was worse than either pollutant alone, disrupting fat metabolism and causing iron-dependent damage to spleen cells. Since microplastics and pesticides often coexist in waterways, this study highlights how their combined effects on fish immune organs could be more dangerous than either pollutant by itself.
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Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics interact with different forms of arsenic and their combined effects on zebrafish embryos. The microplastics absorbed arsenic from the water and altered how the toxic metal accumulated in zebrafish tissues, changing its toxicity profile. The findings suggest that microplastics in the environment can modify how other pollutants affect living organisms, potentially making combined exposures more harmful than expected.
Combined exposure to nanoplastics and metal oxide nanoparticles inhibits efflux pumps and causes oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos
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Researchers found that combined exposure to nanoplastics and metal oxide nanoparticles in zebrafish embryos inhibited cellular efflux pumps and caused greater oxidative stress than individual exposures, suggesting synergistic toxicity from co-occurring environmental contaminants.
Understanding the mechanistic roles of microplastics combined with heavy metals in regulating ferroptosis: Adding new paradigms regarding the links with diseases
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This review explores the emerging connection between microplastics combined with heavy metals and a type of cell death called ferroptosis, which involves iron-dependent damage to cell membranes. Researchers found that both microplastics and heavy metals can independently trigger ferroptosis, and their combined presence may amplify this effect in organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain. The study suggests that understanding this cell death pathway could provide new insights into how environmental pollutant mixtures contribute to disease.
Combined exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics and silver nanoparticles exacerbating hepatotoxicity in zebrafish mediated by ferroptosis pathway through increased silver accumulation
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When zebrafish were exposed to both polystyrene nanoplastics and silver nanoparticles together, the liver damage was significantly worse than from silver alone because the nanoplastics helped more silver accumulate in the body. The combined exposure triggered a specific type of cell death called ferroptosis in liver tissue, suggesting that nanoplastics can make other environmental pollutants more toxic.
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