Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills
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 Med...
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325010280 |
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| author | R. Romano L. Rosati G. Napolitano F. Ferrigno T. Chianese C.M. Motta P. Simoniello |
| author_facet | R. Romano L. Rosati G. Napolitano F. Ferrigno T. Chianese C.M. Motta P. Simoniello |
| author_sort | R. Romano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-69be3b4b9ac643ada7f72f808f825433 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj-art-69be3b4b9ac643ada7f72f808f8254332025-08-20T04:02:32ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-09-0130211868310.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118683Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gillsR. Romano0L. Rosati1G. Napolitano2F. Ferrigno3T. Chianese4C.M. Motta5P. Simoniello6Department of Science and Technology, University Parthenope, Napoli, Italy; International PhD Programme, UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples 80143, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Science and Technology, University Parthenope, Napoli, Italy; International PhD Programme, UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples 80143, ItalyDepartment of Science and Technology, University Parthenope, Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Science and Technology, University Parthenope, Napoli, Italy; Corresponding author.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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325010280Cell stressGoblet cellsCollagen depositionCarbohydrate compositionOxidative stress |
| spellingShingle | R. Romano L. Rosati G. Napolitano F. Ferrigno T. Chianese C.M. Motta P. Simoniello Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Cell stress Goblet cells Collagen deposition Carbohydrate composition Oxidative stress |
| title | Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills |
| title_full | Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills |
| title_fullStr | Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills |
| title_short | Polystyrene micro and nanoplastics: A comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on Mytilus galloprovincialis gills |
| title_sort | polystyrene micro and nanoplastics a comparative study of the cytotoxic effects exerted on mytilus galloprovincialis gills |
| topic | Cell stress Goblet cells Collagen deposition Carbohydrate composition Oxidative stress |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325010280 |
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