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Toxic effects of microplastics and nitrite exposure on intestinal histology, digestion, immunity, and microbial community of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
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Shrimp exposed to both microplastics and nitrite (a common water pollutant) suffered more intestinal damage than those exposed to either pollutant alone. The combined exposure disrupted gut bacteria, increased stress and cell death markers, and weakened immune function in the shrimp. While this study focused on aquatic animals, it shows how microplastics can amplify the harmful effects of other environmental pollutants.
Nitrite and microplastics (MPs) are environmental pollutants that threaten intestinal integrity and affect immune function of shrimp. In this study, the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were exposed to the individual and combined stress of nitrite and microplastics for 14 days, and the changes of intestinal histology and physiological functions were investigated. After single and combined stress, affectations occurred in intestinal tissue; the antioxidant enzyme activities (MDA, HO, CAT increased) and gene expression levels (CAT, SOD, GPx, HSP70 up-regulated) changed. The expression levels of detoxification genes (CYP450, UGT down-regulated, GST up-regulated), apoptosis genes (CASP-3 up-regulated) and endoplasmic reticulum stress genes (Bip, GRP94 down-regulated) changed. Furthermore, the stress also increased intestinal microbial diversity, causing bacterial composition variation, especially beneficial bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. These results suggested that nitrite and microplastics stress had adverse effects on the intestinal health of L. vannamei by affecting intestinal tissue morphology, immune response and microbial community.
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Microplastics and Nitrite Stress Affect Physiological and Metabolic Functions of the Hepatopancreas in Marine Shrimp
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Researchers studied the individual and combined effects of nitrite and microplastics on the hepatopancreas of Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei). The study found that both stressors caused morphological damage and disrupted oxidative stress indicators, with combined exposure producing more severe effects, suggesting microplastics may amplify the toxicity of common aquaculture pollutants.
The combined effects of microplastics and bisphenol-A on the innate immune system response and intestinal microflora of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus
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Swimming crabs exposed to both microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA, a chemical found in many plastics) for 21 days showed weakened immune responses and disrupted gut bacteria compared to exposure to either pollutant alone. The combination caused more intestinal damage and greater shifts in gene activity related to immune defense. This suggests that microplastics and the chemicals they carry can work together to cause greater harm to marine organisms than either one would cause by itself.
Immunotoxicity and oxidative damage in Litopenaeus vannamei induced by polyethylene microplastics and copper co-exposure
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Researchers found that when polyethylene microplastics carrying copper were injected into white shrimp, the combined exposure was significantly more harmful than either pollutant alone. The shrimp experienced suppressed immune function, increased oxidative stress, and severe damage to muscles, liver, and gills. Since shrimp are widely consumed seafood, these findings raise questions about how microplastic-bound metals in marine environments could affect both shellfish health and food safety.
Effects of microplastics and phenanthrene on gut microbiome and metabolome alterations in the marine medaka Oryzias melastigma
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Researchers exposed marine medaka fish to microplastics combined with phenanthrene, a common organic pollutant, and found that the combination disrupted gut bacteria and metabolism more than either substance alone. Specific gut bacterial communities shifted in response to the combined exposure, leading to changes in important metabolic processes. This study underscores that microplastics in the ocean don't act alone; they interact with other pollutants to amplify harm to aquatic organisms and potentially to the humans who consume seafood.
Toxicological effects of micro/nanoplastics and benzo[a]pyrene on cellular and molecular responses of Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867) during intestinal regeneration
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Researchers exposed sea cucumbers to micro- and nanoplastics combined with a cancer-causing chemical (benzo[a]pyrene) and found that the combination slowed intestinal healing and caused more oxidative stress than either pollutant alone. Nanoplastics were particularly harmful, disrupting protein-building processes in cells, while larger microplastics mainly affected fat metabolism. Since marine organisms are exposed to both plastic particles and chemical pollutants simultaneously, this study shows that the real-world health effects may be worse than what single-pollutant studies suggest.
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