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Effects of exposure to nanoplastics on the gill of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis: An integrated perspective from multiple biomarkers
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Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to polystyrene nanoplastics for seven days and measured multiple gill biomarkers, finding that nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress, inhibited acetylcholinesterase, disrupted sodium-potassium ion transport, and impaired energy and lipid metabolism, pointing to broad physiological interference in marine invertebrates.
The pervasive presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in marine environments poses a threat to marine organisms. Gills, as the organ in direct contact with the environment in marine invertebrates, maybe the first to accumulate NPs. To date, the toxic effects of NPs on the gills of marine invertebrates are still largely unknown. In this study, the response of multiple biomarkers (i.e., total antioxidant capacity, the activity of acetylcholine, ion content and transport enzyme, metabolic enzymes, and lipids content) in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) for 7 days were evaluated. Significant inductions of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and inhibition of acetylcholine (AChE) activity were detected after 7 days of PS-NPs exposure. PS-NPs also triggered significant alteration in ion content (Na and K) and suppressed the activities of the ion transport enzyme (Na/K-ATPase). Moreover, we found the activity of metabolic enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase) and lipids content (triacylglycerol and cholesterol) were significantly altered, suggesting the interference of PS-NPs on energy metabolism and lipid metabolism. This investigation provides substantial information to understand the physical responses of invertebrate gills to PS-NPs exposure. Given the crucial ecological roles of invertebrates, the presence of PS-NPs in the marine environment may have far-reaching impacts on population abundance, biodiversity, and stability of the marine ecosystem.
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Short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics hampers the cellular function of gills in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Even short-term exposure (72 hours) to polystyrene microplastics disrupted gill function in Mediterranean mussels, a species commonly eaten by humans. The microplastics accumulated in gill tissue and caused metabolic disorders including changes in energy production, nerve signaling, and salt balance, along with oxidative stress. Since mussels are filter feeders that concentrate microplastics from seawater, these findings raise questions about the quality of shellfish as human food.
Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and their ingestion in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers exposed Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels to 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics at 10 mg/L for 28 days, measuring acetylcholinesterase activity in gills as a neurotoxicity biomarker and evaluating nanoplastic ingestion in gonad tissue. Downregulation of AChE was observed at 3 and 7 days of exposure, indicating neurotoxic effects, though variability in unexposed control mussels complicated definitive conclusions about the full timeline of effects.
Polystyrene nanoplastics in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.
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This study investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics affect Mediterranean mussels, an important marine species and human food source. Researchers found that these tiny plastic particles can cross cell membranes, accumulate in tissues, and trigger oxidative stress and immune responses. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution in the ocean could affect both marine ecosystem health and the safety of seafood consumed by people.
Chronic toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
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Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to polystyrene nanoplastics (50 nm, 10 µg/L) for 21 days and found genotoxicity in blood cells and overwhelmed antioxidant defenses in gills and digestive glands, with gills showing the most severe tissue-level oxidative damage over time.
Effects of medium-term exposure to a high concentration of polystyrene nanoplastics in Chilean mussels (Mytilus chilensis)
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Researchers exposed Chilean mussels to high concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics for 28 days and observed an initial antioxidant and immune response in gills that declined over time, with histological changes including hemocytic infiltration and epithelial damage in gills, the primary site of nanoplastic accumulation.
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