We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
In Vitro Toxicity and Modeling Reveal Nanoplastic Effects on Marine Bivalves
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the effects of nanoplastics on Manila clams using both lab-based cell experiments and computer modeling, finding that the tiny particles caused growth inhibition, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The computer models accurately predicted the real-world toxic effects seen in living clams. This approach could speed up safety testing for nanoplastics in seafood species, which matters because clams and other shellfish are a common route of human microplastic exposure.
Nanoplastics (NPs) represent a growing concern for global environmental health, particularly in marine ecosystems where they predominantly accumulate. The impact of NPs on marine benthic organisms, such as bivalves, raises critical questions regarding ecological integrity and food safety. Traditional methods for assessing NP toxicity are often limited by their time-intensive nature and ethical considerations. Herein, we explore the toxicological effects of NPs on the marine bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum, employing a combination of in vitro cellular assays and advanced modeling techniques. Results indicate a range of adverse effects at the organismal level, including growth inhibition (69.5-108%), oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage in bivalves, following exposure to NPs at concentrations in the range of 1.6 × 109-1.6 × 1011 particles/mL (p/mL). Interestingly, the growth inhibition predicted by models (54.7-104%), based on in vitro cellular proliferation assays, shows strong agreement with the in vivo outcomes of NP exposure. Furthermore, we establish a clear correlation between cytotoxicity observed in vitro and the toxicological responses at the organismal level. Taken together, this work suggests that the integration of computational modeling with in vitro toxicity assays can predict the detrimental effects of NPs on bivalves, offering insightful references for assessing the environmental risk assessment of NPs in marine benthic ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Effects of nanoplastics on clam Ruditapes philippinarum at environmentally realistic concentrations: Toxicokinetics, toxicity, and gut microbiota
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed clams to nanoplastics at concentrations found in real marine environments and tracked how the particles accumulated in their tissues over 14 days. The nanoplastics caused physical damage and significantly altered the clams' gut bacteria. This is concerning because clams are widely consumed seafood, meaning nanoplastic contamination could affect both marine ecosystems and human food sources.
Nanoplastic-Induced Genotoxicity and Intestinal Damage in Freshwater Benthic Clams (Corbicula fluminea): Comparison with Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on freshwater clams and found that both caused intestinal damage and changes in gut bacteria, but through different biological mechanisms. Nanoplastics triggered cell death through mitochondrial pathways and caused more severe damage to intestinal mucus layers, while microplastics activated immune responses and increased harmful bacteria in the gut. The study suggests that plastic particle size plays a key role in determining the type and severity of biological harm.
The underestimated toxic effects of nanoplastics coming from marine sources: A demonstration on oysters (Isognomon alatus)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nanoplastics derived from real marine debris triggered more significant gene-level toxic responses in Caribbean oysters than commonly used laboratory polystyrene nanoplastics, suggesting standard lab particles may underestimate actual environmental toxicity.
Integrating structure and experimental data annotations with computational modeling framework for predicting micro-nanoplastics toxicities
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists have created a computer-based method to predict how toxic tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) might be to our cells, without needing to run slow, expensive lab experiments for every single type of plastic. By teaching computer models to recognize patterns based on a plastic particle's shape and size, researchers can now screen many more plastic types for potential health risks than traditional testing allows. This matters because it could speed up our understanding of which plastics pose the greatest danger as they build up in our environment and bodies.
Quantitative assessment of in vivo distribution of nanoplastics in bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum using reliable SERS tag-labeled nanoplastic models
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed SERS-labeled nanoplastic models to quantitatively track nanoplastic distribution in Manila clams, revealing size-dependent accumulation patterns across different tissues and providing a reliable method for studying nanoplastic bioavailability in bivalves.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.