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Redefining the synergistic toxicity of nano-plastics and cadmium in earthworm coelomocytes: the mechanism of α-amylase molecular docking orientation and energy crisis
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Researchers exposed earthworm immune cells (coelomocytes) to polystyrene nanoplastics combined with the heavy metal cadmium, finding that nanoplastics act as carriers that amplify cadmium uptake and worsen oxidative stress, energy metabolism disruption, and enzyme damage beyond what cadmium causes alone.
Nanoplastics (NPs) and cadmium (Cd), as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, are frequently detected in ecosystems, and their combined toxicity has received increasing attention. However, evidence and mechanisms regarding the cellular toxicity of NPs and Cd co-exposure in soil organisms remain insufficient. This study employed a multi-scale approach to investigate the toxic effects and mechanisms of NPs and Cd co-exposure on Eisenia fetida coelomocytes, and the structural changes of α-amylase. Results revealed that NPs-Cd co-exposure significantly reduced coelomocytes viability to 70.33 %, lower than Cd-alone exposure (78.41 %). Mechanically, compared to Cd exposure, co-exposure induced stronger reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. NPs amplified Cd toxicity, leading to severe antioxidant system disruption, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial dysfunction. At the molecular level, compared to Cd alone (74.03 %), NPs-Cd exposure induced lower α-amylase activity (66.33 %). Cd exposure caused protein skeleton damage, fluorescence sensitization, which were further exacerbated by NPs. Protein aggregation and docking simulation speculates that NPs-Cd cause greater toxicity in the form of protein corona. Linking NPs-Cd-induced oxidative stress with energy metabolism, this study highlighted the potential role of NPs as carriers in Cd accumulation. These findings highlight NPs' environmental risks and advance ecological risk assessment strategies for combined pollution.
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The combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics with nickel on oxidative stress and related toxic effects to earthworms from individual and cellular perspectives
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Researchers studied the combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and nickel on earthworms at both the individual and cellular levels. They found that nanoplastics amplified the harmful effects of nickel by increasing oxidative stress, reducing cell viability, and disrupting the balance between protective and damaging molecules in cells. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can worsen the toxicity of heavy metals already present in contaminated soils.
Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics and cadmium on the earthworm Eisenia foetida
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Researchers studied the effects of microplastics alone and combined with the heavy metal cadmium on earthworms over 42 days. They found that both exposures reduced growth and increased mortality, with the combined treatment causing the most damage through increased oxidative stress. The study also revealed that microplastics can increase cadmium accumulation in earthworms by up to 161%, suggesting microplastics may worsen heavy metal contamination in soil ecosystems.
New regulatory mechanisms of polystyrene nanoplastics on the ecological risk of zinc: Cellular oxidative injury and molecular toxicity mechanisms in soil sentinel organisms (Eisenia fetida)
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Researchers investigated how nanoplastics and zinc interact to affect earthworm cells and a key antioxidant defense enzyme. While nanoplastics alone had minimal effect, combining them with zinc dramatically increased cell death beyond what zinc caused on its own, and molecular modeling showed nanoplastics can physically bind to and potentially block the antioxidant enzyme. The findings suggest that nanoplastics may worsen the toxicity of heavy metals in soil by interfering with organisms' natural defense mechanisms.
Evaluation of the toxicity effects of microplastics and cadmium on earthworms
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Researchers evaluated the combined toxicity of microplastics and cadmium on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using both short-term and long-term exposure experiments. They found that the co-exposure produced interactive toxic effects on antioxidant enzyme activity and caused DNA damage, with toxicity severity influenced by microplastic particle size and concentration. The study suggests that the presence of microplastics in contaminated soils can modify how heavy metals like cadmium affect soil organisms.
Environmental relevant concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics and lead co-exposure triggered cellular cytotoxicity responses and underlying mechanisms in Eisenia fetida
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Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics and lead, a toxic heavy metal, interact when earthworm immune cells are exposed to both simultaneously at environmentally realistic concentrations. The combined exposure caused more severe cell damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation than either pollutant alone. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can increase the harmful effects of heavy metals on soil organisms, raising concerns about the real-world impact of mixed contaminant exposure.
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