We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Co-exposure toxicity of microplastic and sumithion in Nile tilapia – changes in growth, hematology, histopathology of internal tissues and immune-antioxidant genes expression
Summary
Researchers studied the combined effects of polyamide microplastics and the pesticide sumithion on Nile tilapia, a widely farmed fish species. They found that co-exposure reduced growth, disrupted blood parameters, caused tissue damage in gills and intestines, and altered immune and antioxidant gene expression more severely than either pollutant alone. The study highlights that microplastics and pesticides together may pose amplified threats to fish health in contaminated aquaculture environments.
• The co-exposure of PA-MP and sumithion reduced growth performance in Nile tilapia. • Hematological disturbances reveal metabolic stress from combined PA-MP and pesticide exposure . • Co-exposure induced pronounced histopathological damage in gill and intestinal tissues, indicating enhanced cytotoxic effects. • PA-MP and sumithion co-exposure triggered significant dysregulation of key immune (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β) and antioxidant (SOD) gene pathways. The widespread contamination of aquatic environment by microplastics (MP) and chemical pollutants, including pesticides, pose a severe threat to aquatic organisms. This research investigates the cumulative toxicity of polyamide microplastics (PA-MP) and the organophosphate pesticides sumithion (Sum) on Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ). Over the course of 42 days, the fish were subjected to three exposure treatments; 10 mg/L PA-MP, 0.3 mg/L Sum, and a combined exposure to both (MP + Sum), including a control (without MP and Sum). The primary focus of this study was to evaluate growth parameters, hematological indices, tissue histopathology, and the expressions of genes linked to immune regulation and anti-oxidant responses. Co-exposure to MP + Sum led to a significant reduction in growth attributes including final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR), while impaired feed utilization may reflect diminished metabolic efficiency. Hematological analysis revealed a significant rise in blood glucose levels and a decline in the hemoglobin concentration in the co-exposure group, pointing to stress-induced metabolic imbalances. In addition, erythrocyte morphology exhibited notable alterations with common occurrences of karyopyknosis, nuclear bridges, and micronuclei, suggesting genotoxic effects. The histopathological changes observed in gill such as secondary lamellar degeneration, clubbing, hyperplasia of chloride cell, and intestinal tissues including degeneration of columnar epithelium, hyperplasia of intestinal mucosa, degeneration of lamina propria from epithelium, reinforced the severity of the combined exposure. The upregulation of immune-related genes like TNF-α , and IFN-γ , pointing to an inflammatory response, whereas the downregulation of IL-1β and SOD highlighted a declined in both antioxidant and immune-responses. This underscores the enhanced toxicity caused by the simultaneous exposure to microplastic and pesticide pollutants and highlights the urgent need for integrated approaches to pollution management in aquatic ecosystems to mitigate these synergistic effects.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Toxicity of mixture of polyethylene microplastics and Up Grade® pesticide on Oreochromis niloticus juvenile: I. Hemato-biochemical and histopathological alterations
Researchers exposed juvenile Nile tilapia to a pesticide and polyethylene microplastics, both individually and in combination, and measured blood chemistry changes and organ damage over 15 days. The combination treatment caused more severe effects than either pollutant alone, including reduced red blood cell counts, elevated liver enzymes, and significant tissue damage to the gills and intestines. The study demonstrates that microplastics can worsen the toxic effects of agricultural pesticides on commercially important fish species.
Behavioral, biochemical, immune, and histological responses of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) to lead, mercury, and pendimethalin exposure: individual and combined effects
This study tested the effects of lead, mercury, and a pesticide on Nile tilapia fish and found that exposure to all three together caused the worst damage, including organ injury, weakened immune systems, and high mortality. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastics can carry heavy metals like lead and mercury in water, potentially amplifying their toxic effects on fish. Since tilapia is a common food fish, these combined pollutant effects could impact seafood safety.
Multi‐Biomarkers' Responses in Gills of Oreochromis niloticus Exposed to Glyphosate and Polyethylene Microplastic, Isolated and in Mixture
Researchers exposed tilapia fish to polyethylene microplastics and the herbicide glyphosate, both alone and in combination, and examined gill tissue for signs of damage. They found that the mixture of both contaminants caused more severe oxidative stress and tissue damage than either pollutant alone. The study suggests that microplastics and agricultural chemicals may interact in waterways to amplify harmful effects on fish health.
Alteration of growth, hematology, histopathology of tissues and immune-antioxidant genes expression in Nile tilapia following co-exposure of hexavalent chromium and polyamide microplastics
Researchers exposed Nile tilapia to hexavalent chromium alone, polyamide microplastics alone, and their combination, finding that co-exposure caused greater growth inhibition, hematological changes, intestinal and liver damage, and suppressed antioxidant and immune gene expression than either pollutant individually.
Combined impacts of organophosphate pesticide and polyamide microplastics on growth, hematology, and immune responses in juvenile striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)
Researchers exposed juvenile striped catfish to both polyamide microplastics and an organophosphate pesticide, finding that the combination caused more severe growth reduction, immune suppression, and organ damage than either pollutant alone — evidence that microplastics and pesticides can act together to amplify harm in freshwater fish.