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Co-exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics and copper induces development toxicity and intestinal mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro
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When nanoplastics and copper were combined, they caused significantly worse intestinal damage in zebrafish and human gut cells than either pollutant alone. The nanoplastics carried extra copper into the digestive tract, triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and harmful shifts in gut bacteria -- showing how microplastics can act as vehicles that amplify heavy metal toxicity in the gut.
Nanoplastics (NPs) have raised concerns about the combined toxicity to living organisms due to their ability to adsorb heavy metals. There is still uncertainty, however, whether NPs combined with heavy metals exert adverse effects on intestinal microenvironment, especially the intestinal cells and microbiota. Herein, the combined effects of 500 nm spherical-shaped polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) and copper ions (Cu) on intestinal cells and gut microbiota were assessed using HCT-116 cells and zebrafish models. The combined exposure of PSNPs (10 mg/L) and Cu (0.5 mg/L) induced more severer hatching interference of zebrafish embryos, deformation, and mortality. In larval stage, PSNPs (10 mg/L) accumulated and carried more Cu in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of zebrafish after co-exposure for 5 days. Excessive neutrophil recruitment and oxidative stress in GIT of zebrafish larvae were observed. The mechanism of the combined toxicity was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showing the injuries of GIT, transcriptome and 16S rDNA gene sequencing showing the toxicity pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and respiratory electron transport chain, as well as microbial community analysis showing the induced microbiota dysbiosis. In vitro tests using HCT-116 cells showed that PSNPs (10 mg/L) and Cu (0.5 mg/L) increased cell death while decreasing ATP concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential after 48 h exposure. These findings may provide new insights into the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and heavy metals in the intestinal microenvironment.
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Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) harness copper presence and promote impairments in early zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae: Developmental, biochemical, transcriptomic approaches and nontargeted metabolomics approaches
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This zebrafish study found that polystyrene microplastics combined with copper produced worse toxic effects than either pollutant alone, causing developmental problems, oxidative stress, immune disruption, and nerve damage in larvae. The combination also disrupted the fish's metabolism in ways that neither pollutant caused independently. This is concerning because microplastics readily absorb heavy metals like copper in the environment, meaning organisms are often exposed to both together.
Combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and copper on antioxidant capacity, immune response and intestinal microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
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Researchers examined the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and copper on Nile tilapia and found that co-exposure increased copper accumulation in the liver and caused tissue damage in multiple organs. High concentrations of both contaminants together triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and shifts in intestinal microbial communities. The study suggests that microplastics can worsen the toxic effects of heavy metals on freshwater fish.
Polystyrene nanoplastics at predicted environmental concentrations enhance the toxicity of copper on Caenorhabditis elegans
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Even at low concentrations found in the environment, polystyrene nanoplastics significantly increased copper toxicity in roundworms by boosting oxidative stress and triggering stress-response genes. The nanoplastics alone did not cause obvious harm, but when combined with copper, the damage was much worse than copper alone. This is concerning because in real-world soil and water, nanoplastics and heavy metals often occur together, potentially creating greater health risks than either pollutant individually.
Combined Exposure to Copper Sulfate and Polystyrene Microplastics Alters Intestinal Microbiota Structure and Induces Barrier Damage in Male Mice
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Mice exposed to both copper and microplastics together (a common combo, since copper pipes and plastic packaging both contaminate food and water) had more gut damage than mice exposed to either one alone — their intestinal lining weakened, "leaky gut" proteins dropped, and harmful gut bacteria increased while beneficial ones declined. This suggests that everyday combinations of environmental contaminants might harm gut health more than scientists get by studying pollutants one at a time, though more research is needed to confirm this applies to humans.
Microplastics and Copper Co-Exposure Induces Intestinal Damage, Gut Dysbiosis, and Antimicrobial Resistance in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics alone or combined with copper for 21 days, finding that copper drove severe intestinal damage and multidrug resistance in gut bacteria, while microplastics played a modulatory role — and the combination promoted novel antibiotic resistance gene combinations with One Health implications.
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