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Combined effects of norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles on the oxidative stress and gut health of the juvenile horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus
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Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs to an antibiotic (norfloxacin) and polystyrene nanoparticles, finding that both pollutants disrupted gut microbiota composition and suppressed key metabolic pathways in the microbiome, while antioxidant defenses eventually compensated for initial oxidative stress after extended exposure.
Pollution with anthropogenic contaminants including antibiotics and nanoplastics leads to gradual deterioration of the marine environment, which threatens endangered species such as the horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus. We assessed the potential toxic mechanisms of an antibiotic (norfloxacin, 0, 0.5, 5 μg/L) and polystyrene nanoparticles (10 particles/L) in T. tridentatus using biomarkers of tissue redox status, molting, and gut microbiota. Exposure to single and combined pollutants led to disturbance of redox balance during short-term (7 days) exposure indicated by elevated level of a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA). After prolonged (14-21 days) exposure, compensatory upregulation of antioxidants (catalase and glutathione but not superoxide dismutase) was observed, and MDA levels returned to the baseline in most experimental exposures. Transcript levels of molting-related genes (ecdysone receptor, retinoic acid X alpha receptor and calmodulin A) and a molecular chaperone (cognate heat shock protein 70) showed weak evidence of response to polystyrene nanoparticles and norfloxacin. The gut microbiota T. tridentatus was altered by exposures to norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles shown by elevated relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the functional level, evidence of suppression by norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles was found in multiple intestinal microbiome pathways related to the genetic information processing, metabolism, organismal systems, and environmental information processing. Future studies are needed to assess the physiological and health consequences of microbiome dysbiosis caused by norfloxacin and polystyrene nanoparticles and assist the environmental risk assessment of these pollutants in the wild populations of the horseshoe crabs.
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Response of moulting genes and gut microbiome to nano-plastics and copper in juvenile horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus
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Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper, both alone and in combination, and found that combined exposure significantly altered molting gene expression and disrupted gut microbial communities. The nanoplastics and copper together triggered stress responses not seen with either pollutant alone, including changes in heat shock protein and hormone receptor gene activity. The study raises concerns about how multiple pollutants in coastal waters may jointly affect the development of this ancient and ecologically important species.
Combined effects of nanoplastics and heavy metal on antioxidant parameters of juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crabs
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Researchers found that combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and copper ions caused greater oxidative stress in juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crabs than either stressor alone, with antioxidant enzyme levels remaining disrupted even after a seven-day recovery period.
Polystyrene Microplastics Impair Intestinal Homeostasis in Juvenile Tachypleus tridentatus Through Oxidative Imbalance and Gut Microbiota Dysregulation
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Scientists found that microplastic pollution damages the gut health of juvenile horseshoe crabs, causing oxidative stress, weaker immune defenses, and an imbalance of gut bacteria (fewer good bacteria, more harmful ones), similar to gut dysbiosis linked to inflammation in humans. While this study was done in horseshoe crabs, not people, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics can disrupt gut health across species, raising concerns about what similar exposure might mean for human digestive and immune health.
Polystyrene Microplastics Impair Intestinal Homeostasis in Juvenile Tachypleus tridentatus Through Oxidative Imbalance and Gut Microbiota Dysregulation
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) can harm the gut health of young horseshoe crabs, causing cell damage and throwing off the balance of good and bad bacteria in their intestines, with younger crabs affected more severely. While this study was done in horseshoe crabs, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics, which we're also exposed to through food and water, may disrupt gut bacteria and trigger oxidative stress, a process linked to inflammation and various health problems in animals broadly.
The effects of a polystyrene nanoplastic on the immune response and gut microbiota of Eriocheir sinensis and its post-recovery state
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Researchers exposed Chinese mitten crabs to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that 48-hour exposure suppressed immune enzyme activity, elevated pathogen abundance in the gut microbiome, and damaged the hepatopancreas — with tissue damage persisting after 7 days of recovery even as gut nanoplastics were cleared.
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