We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Combined effects of microplastics and copper on antioxidant capacity, gut microbiome, and metabolomics of Pseudorasbora parva
Summary
Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastics and copper on the freshwater fish Pseudorasbora parva, examining antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota, and metabolic responses. They found that the presence of microplastics alongside copper actually reduced copper accumulation in tissues and lessened oxidative damage compared to copper exposure alone. The study suggests that while microplastics can alter the toxicity profile of metals in fish, the interactions are complex and involve metabolic adjustments that balance cellular repair and energy expenditure.
Microplastics (MPs) and metal pollutants such as copper (Cu) are common pollutants in aquatic environments worldwide, posing a potential threat to the health of aquatic organisms and ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the effects of single and combined exposures of MPs (1 mg/L) and Cu (50 μg/L) on the antioxidant capacity, histopathology, gut microbiota, and metabolomics of Pseudorasbora parva which was used as a model organism. Results showed that exposure to both Cu and MPs in combination reduced Cu accumulation in tissues, mitigating the effects of Cu-induced oxidative damage. Histopathological analysis revealed that combined exposures resulted in lower levels of tissue damage than exposure to Cu alone, as evidenced by reduced leukocyte infiltration in hepatocytes, the mitigation of intestinal mucosal damage and improved gill filament epithelial cell integrity. Gut microbial community analysis showed that higher Cu concentrations significantly increased the abundance of Fusobacteriota and Cetobacterium. Metabolomics analysis revealed that in the group exposed to both Cu and MPs, compared to the Cu group, the metabolism of nucleotides, pyrimidine and glycerophospholipids was upregulated, enhancing cellular repair and defense, while the downregulation of other pathways reduced energy expenditure and prevented reaction excess. This study demonstrated that P. parva responded to multiple pollutant stress through a complex range of metabolic regulatory mechanisms, providing novel insights into the molecular response mechanisms of aquatic organisms to the combined stress of multiple pollutants, which is of great significance for aquatic ecological risk assessments.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and copper on antioxidant capacity, immune response and intestinal microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
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.
Toxic Effect of Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Copper on Goldfish (Carassius auratus): Insight from Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis and Autophagy in Hepatopancreas and Intestine
Researchers found that combined exposure to microplastics and copper in goldfish significantly enhanced copper accumulation and tissue damage in the hepatopancreas and intestine, triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy beyond the effects of either pollutant alone.
Microplastics and copper effects on the neotropical teleost Prochilodus lineatus: Is there any interaction?
Researchers exposed the neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus to polyethylene microplastics and copper separately and together, finding that microplastics alone caused oxidative stress and genotoxic effects, while combined exposure with copper did not consistently amplify harm compared to either stressor alone.
Hepatic transcriptomic and histopathological responses of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, to copper and microplastic exposure
Researchers investigated how PVC microplastics interact with copper exposure in common carp over 14 days. They found that the microplastic particles acted as a vector for copper, increasing its accumulation in the liver and worsening tissue damage beyond what either pollutant caused alone. The study suggests that microplastics can amplify the toxic effects of heavy metals in freshwater fish.
Combined effects of microplastics and copper on oxidative responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) to microplastics (10 µg/L) and copper (45 µg/L) individually and in combination, finding that fish exposed to both stressors simultaneously exhibited higher oxidative stress across multiple body organs than those exposed to either contaminant alone.