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Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills
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Researchers compared the toxic effects of micro-sized and nano-sized polystyrene particles on the gills of Mediterranean mussels. Both sizes caused oxidative damage, tissue alterations, and immune responses, but nanoplastics consistently produced more severe effects. The findings suggest that smaller plastic particles pose a greater threat to the gill function of filter-feeding shellfish, potentially impairing their ability to collect food and breathe.
Polystyrene microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) are significant contributors to the pollution of aquatic ecosystems. Their high persistence, small size, and high potential to enter food chains pose risks to humans and all living organisms. Mytilus galloprovincialis is a mussel native to the Mediterranean Sea, widely distributed in coastal environments. As a filter-feeder, it accumulates pollutants, making it a valuable bioindicator and model organism in environmental monitoring and research. In this work, we used adult mussels to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of polystyrene MP (5 µm) and NP (0.1 µm) on gill lamellae cyto-anatomy. The animals were exposed for 1, 3, and 11 days. Results showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damage to lipids, and in vitro susceptibility to oxidants on day 3, as well as increased total antioxidant capacity on days 3 and 11. Parallel histological investigation demonstrated epithelial alterations from day 1, characterised by increased PCNA expression, particularly in the most exposed frontal epithelium. Marked alterations were also observed in the connective septa, where collagen deposition and disorganisation were detected. The activation of an immune response was evident by the increased presence of haemocytes and mucus cells. In all cases, the effects were more marked after exposure to NP. These results suggest a significant impairment of gill function, particularly in food collection, as the frontal and front lateral cilia were markedly affected. In conclusion, plastic reduction in the oceans is an issue that can no longer be postponed; the first step seems to be a more conscious use of this material.
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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.
Confounding factors affect hemocyte responses of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis upon foodborne exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics of three sizes
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Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were fed polystyrene nanoplastics at three sizes (50, 200, 1000 nm) and two doses for 7 days, revealing size- and dose-dependent effects on hemocyte immune function, with smaller particles causing greater cellular disruption.
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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.
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