Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

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.

2025 JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY INDIA
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and copper induce apoptosis, alter neurocircuits, and cause behavioral changes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain

Researchers investigated the chronic effects of microplastics and copper, alone and combined, on zebrafish brains over 30 days. The study found that both contaminants induced apoptosis, altered neurotransmitter pathways, and caused behavioral changes including increased anxiety, with combined exposure producing more severe effects than either pollutant alone.

2022 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 69 citations
Article Tier 2

Long-term effects of individual and combined exposure to microplastics and copper in zebrafish hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis – A multi-biomarker evaluation

This study exposed zebrafish to microplastics, copper, and both combined for 30 days and examined effects on their reproductive system. The combination of microplastics and copper caused greater hormonal disruption and oxidative stress than either pollutant alone, affecting genes that control reproduction in both male and female fish. These findings suggest that microplastics interacting with metal pollution in waterways could compound reproductive harm in aquatic organisms and potentially in humans who consume contaminated fish.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Single and combined acute and subchronic toxic effects of microplastics and copper in zebrafish (Danio rerio) early life stages

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to microplastics, copper, and their combinations to assess individual and combined toxic effects. They found that microplastics alone caused limited harm, but when combined with copper, the mixture produced altered biochemical responses and changes in gene expression. The study suggests that microplastics can modify the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic organisms during early development.

2021 Chemosphere 96 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 28 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 49 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Environmental Toxicology 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Copper and Microplastic Exposure Affects the Gill Gene Expression of Common Carp During Saltwater Challenge

This study examined how combined copper and microplastic exposure affects gill gene expression in common carp, finding synergistic stress responses including upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress defense and immune function.

2024 Science Journal of University of Zakho 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) harness copper presence and promote impairments in early zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae: Developmental, biochemical, transcriptomic approaches and nontargeted metabolomics approaches

This zebrafish study found that polystyrene microplastics combined with copper produced worse toxic effects than either pollutant alone, causing developmental problems, oxidative stress, immune disruption, and nerve damage in larvae. The combination also disrupted the fish's metabolism in ways that neither pollutant caused independently. This is concerning because microplastics readily absorb heavy metals like copper in the environment, meaning organisms are often exposed to both together.

2025 Environmental Research 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicological effects induced on early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) after an acute exposure to microplastics alone or co-exposed with copper

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to microplastics alone and combined with copper to assess their joint toxicity during early development. They found that copper, both alone and combined with microplastics, reduced survival, increased oxidative stress, inhibited a key nervous system enzyme, and disrupted avoidance and social behaviors. The study suggests that microplastics may modulate copper toxicity in some biological endpoints, highlighting the importance of studying combined pollutant exposures during vulnerable developmental stages.

2020 Chemosphere 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of microplastics on the accumulation and chronic toxic effects of cadmium in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics combined with cadmium for three weeks and found that the presence of microplastics significantly increased cadmium accumulation in the liver, gut, and gills. The combined exposure caused greater oxidative damage, tissue inflammation, and disruption of protective gene activity than either pollutant alone. The study demonstrates that microplastics can enhance the toxicity of heavy metals in fish by acting as carriers that increase the body's uptake of harmful substances.

2018 Chemosphere 461 citations
Article Tier 2

Pre-Exposure of Common Carp to Ambient Copper and Microplastic Changes the Gill Ionoregulaion-Related Transcripts During Saltwater Exposure

Common carp were pre-exposed to copper alone or with polyvinyl chloride microplastics for 14 days, then challenged with brackish water to test how microplastic co-exposure alters gill physiology and metal accumulation. Combined exposure changed gill copper concentrations and altered physiological responses to salinity stress, suggesting microplastics modify how fish handle heavy metal toxicity.

2025 Aquatic Science and Fish Resources (ASFR) /Aquatic Science and Fish Resources (ASFR)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics increase mercury bioconcentration in gills and bioaccumulation in the liver, and cause oxidative stress and damage in Dicentrarchus labrax juveniles

Researchers exposed juvenile European sea bass to mercury, microplastics, and their mixture for 96 hours and found that microplastics increased mercury bioconcentration in gills and bioaccumulation in the liver. The combination of microplastics and mercury also caused greater oxidative stress and lipid damage than either contaminant alone, suggesting microplastics may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants.

2018 Scientific Reports 281 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effects of Single and Combined Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Copper on the Behavior of Adult Zebrafish

Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics and copper ions affected zebrafish behavior when the fish were exposed to both pollutants simultaneously. The combination was more toxic than either pollutant alone, reducing the concentration needed to kill fish by up to 32%. Since nanoplastics and heavy metals commonly occur together in polluted water, their combined effects on aquatic life could increase the risks associated with consuming contaminated fish.

2025 Water 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity of microplastics and copper, alone or combined, in blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) larvae

Researchers examined the toxicity of microplastics and copper, alone and combined, on blackspot seabream larvae, finding that microplastic-copper mixtures can alter biochemical biomarkers and gene expression related to oxidative stress and immune response in developing fish.

2022 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined effects of microplastics and copper on antioxidant capacity, gut microbiome, and metabolomics of Pseudorasbora parva

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.

2025 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and GH/IGF axis in zebrafish early life stages

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium, both alone and together, and found that the combination caused significantly worse effects than either pollutant individually. Co-exposure amplified oxidative stress, increased cell death in the spine and esophagus, and disrupted growth hormone pathways more severely than single exposures. The findings suggest that microplastics and heavy metals in waterways may interact to create heightened risks for developing fish.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 100 citations
Article Tier 2

The impact of microplastics and copper on sex ratio and oxidative stress: analysis in zebrafish intestine, gonad and brain

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to copper, polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastics individually and in combination, finding that copper caused high mortality, PE alone induced a feminization trend, and co-exposure amplified adverse effects on sex differentiation and antioxidant enzyme activity.

2025 Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT)
Article Tier 2

Toxicological effects of microplastics and phenanthrene to zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics, the pollutant phenanthrene, and a combination of both to assess their toxicity over 24 days. They found that co-exposure amplified oxidative stress, suppressed immune gene expression, and significantly disrupted the gut microbiome compared to either contaminant alone. The study suggests that microplastics can worsen the toxic effects of organic pollutants in aquatic organisms by altering how chemicals accumulate and interact in the body.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 190 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined exposure to microplastics and amitriptyline caused intestinal damage, oxidative stress and gut microbiota dysbiosis in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish to microplastics and the antidepressant amitriptyline, both separately and combined, and found that the mixture caused the most severe intestinal damage and gut microbiome disruption. The microplastics appeared to absorb the drug and deliver higher concentrations to gut tissue. This highlights how microplastics can act as carriers for pharmaceutical pollutants, potentially amplifying their toxic effects on aquatic life.

2023 Aquatic Toxicology 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyethylene microplastic exposure and concurrent effect with Aeromonas hydrophila infection on zebrafish

Researchers found that polyethylene microplastic exposure in zebrafish caused oxidative stress, altered antioxidant enzyme activity, and induced intestinal damage, with concurrent Aeromonas hydrophila infection amplifying these toxic effects and increasing mortality rates.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28 citations
Article Tier 2

The Combined Effect of Copper Nanoparticles and Microplastics on Transcripts Involved in Oxidative Stress Pathway in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Hepatocytes

Primary rainbow trout hepatocytes were exposed to copper nanoparticles, microplastics, and their combination for 48 hours, finding that both dissolved copper and copper nanoparticles upregulated antioxidant enzyme transcripts while microplastics alone had minimal effect. Co-exposure to nanoparticles and microplastics did not significantly alter the oxidative stress response beyond nanoparticle effects alone.

2023 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

The Role of Synthetic Polymers in the Aquatic Environment and Its Implications in Danio Rerio as a Model Organism

Exposing zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics combined with silver nanoparticles caused significantly more oxidative damage, tissue injury in gills and intestines, and higher mortality than either contaminant alone. The study demonstrates that microplastics can act as carriers that enhance the toxicity of co-pollutants like silver nanoparticles, a combination effect that is highly relevant to understanding real-world aquatic contamination where multiple pollutants co-occur.

2023 Apple Academic Press eBooks