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Long-Term Co-Exposure to Nanopolystyrene and Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines Induces Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish via the MAPK Pathway
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to a combination of polystyrene nanoplastics and a heterocyclic aromatic amine (Norharman) commonly found in cooked meat, simulating conditions relevant to takeout food consumption. Long-term co-exposure caused behavioral abnormalities, brain tissue damage, and activation of stress-response pathways more severe than either contaminant alone. The study suggests that nanoplastics and food-processing byproducts may interact to amplify neurotoxic effects.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are common hydrophobic contaminants in food packaging, readily interacting with other pollutants to produce severe unknown toxicity. Heterocyclic amines (HAAs) are carcinogenic hydrophobic byproducts commonly generated during the thermal processing of meat products. With the widespread adoption of takeout food, coexposure risks to NPs and HAAs are inevitable, yet studies on their combined contamination remain scarce. This study comprehensively evaluated the chronic toxic effects of coexposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) and 9H-pyridine[3,4-b]indole (Norharman) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) through behavioral, histopathological, and transcriptomic analyses. Findings reveal that both PS-NPs and Norharman induce behavioral abnormalities with significant synergistic effects. This interaction likely disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by downregulating Occludin gene expression, triggering oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brain, and activating neuroinflammatory responses mediated by the MAPK signaling pathway. This study reveals the synergistic neurotoxic mechanism of coexisting food contaminants, providing a theoretical basis for assessing combined exposure risks.
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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.
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.
Co-exposure to PFOA, PFBA and nanoplastics synergistically exacerbates neurotoxicity by impairing PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy
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Researchers investigated the combined neurotoxic effects of two PFAS chemicals (PFOA and PFBA) with nanoplastics using zebrafish and human neuronal cells. They found that co-exposure synergistically worsened neurodevelopmental impairments and behavioral abnormalities by disrupting a key cellular cleanup pathway called PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. The study suggests that nanoplastics can amplify the neurotoxicity of PFAS compounds by impairing the cells' ability to clear damaged mitochondria.
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.
Enhanced uptake of BPA in the presence of nanoplastics can lead to neurotoxic effects in adult zebrafish
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Researchers found that nanoplastics amplify bisphenol A (BPA) accumulation in zebrafish tissues by 2- to 2.6-fold and that co-exposure enhances neurotoxic effects — including myelin disruption and dopaminergic system changes — beyond what either contaminant causes alone.
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