We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Levels and oxidative toxicity of microplastics and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in different tissues of sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa)
Summary
Researchers found microplastics (mainly polyethylene and polypropylene) in both the gut and internal fluids of sea cucumbers, confirming that these particles can cross from the digestive tract into body tissues. The microplastics were linked to increased oxidative stress, a type of cell damage. Since sea cucumbers are eaten as food in many cultures, this contamination could be a route of microplastic exposure for humans.
Nowadays, marine pollution is a global problem which finds in microplastics (MPs) and emerging pollutants, such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), two of the main culprits. Sea cucumbers are a group of marine benthic invertebrates that show ecological, economic and social relevance. As deposit/suspension feeders, sea cucumbers show high susceptibility to bioaccumulate marine pollutants, including PFASs and MPs. In this study, we describe the presence and the effects of MP and PFAS accumulation on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and coelomic fluid of sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa) specimens through the assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers. The MP abundance in the GIT ranged from 3 to 20 particles animal, while the extracted MPs from the coelomic fluid ranged from 0 to 7 particles animal, thus confirming a probable transfer through the respiratory tree. The MPs were identified by FT-IR and Raman analyses, and the polymer types were mainly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The concentrations of nineteen perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) were measured in the body wall of sea cucumbers. We found up to seven out of the nineteen PFASs. The ΣPFAS were in the range 0.083-0.620 μg kg and the maximum concentrations of individual PFASs in all the samples varied from 0.010 (PFHxA, PFHpA) to 0.390 (PFBS). Pearson coefficients showed a positive correlation among MPs and most of the oxidative stress parameters (i.e. catalase, glutathione S transferase, malondialdehyde and DNA damage) suggesting, however, a potential tissue-related response. This study thus revealed that MPs, and partially PFASs, induce oxidative imbalance in H. tubulosa, and pointed up the importance of different tissues in mediating dose/time-related responses to oxidative stress. Sea cucumbers prove to be very promising model organisms for ecotoxicological investigation.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effects of Human Activity on Markers of Oxidative Stress in the Intestine of Holothuria tubulosa, with Special Reference to the Presence of Microplastics
Researchers studied oxidative stress markers in the intestines of sea cucumbers (Holothuria tubulosa) collected from areas with varying levels of human activity and microplastic contamination. The study found elevated oxidative stress indicators in organisms from more polluted sites, suggesting that microplastic ingestion contributes to cellular damage in marine invertebrates.
Potential harmful impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the health of a tropical sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota, evidenced by changes of gut microflora, histology, immune and oxidative indexes
Scientists exposed tropical sea cucumbers to both nano-sized and micro-sized plastic particles and found that both caused gut damage, altered the gut microbiome, triggered oxidative stress, and disrupted immune function. Notably, the smaller nanoplastics had stronger effects than the larger microplastics, and plastic particles were observed accumulating in the gut tissue.
Plastic litter transfer from sediments towards marine trophic webs: A case study on holothurians
Sea cucumbers collected from the seafloor around a Sicilian island were found to contain microplastics in their bodies, having ingested them while feeding on sediment. Since sea cucumbers are consumed as food in many cultures, this represents a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in humans.
Microplastic and nanoplastic exposure induced transcriptional and physiological alterations and triggered immune responses in the sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota
Researchers exposed sea cucumbers to polyethylene microplastics and nanoplastics for 14 days and measured changes in gene expression, oxidative stress, and immune function. They found that nanoplastics caused more severe effects than microplastics, including widespread changes in gene activity and signs of immune system activation. The study raises concerns about the vulnerability of bottom-feeding marine animals that inadvertently consume plastic particles from sediment.
Existence of microplastics in the edible part of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
Researchers demonstrated that microplastics can transfer into the edible body wall of sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus), entering through the outer surface and potentially posing a threat to human health through seafood consumption.