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Interactive Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Biochemical and Immunological Responses in Zebrafish (Danio rerio; Hamilton, 1822)
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Maryam Akhoundian    , Jamal Rahimi , Ghasem Rashidian |
| University of Mazandaran , m.akhoundian@umz.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (41 Views) |
Background and Objectives: In recent years, growing concerns have emerged regarding the environmental impacts of nanoparticles, particularly nano plastics and metal-based nanomaterials, on aquatic organisms. Polystyrene nano plastics (PSNPs), due to their ultra-small size, high tissue penetrability, and strong potential for interacting with other contaminants, pose significant risks of inducing physiological and immunological disturbances. Likewise, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), as one of the most widely used industrial nanomaterials, have demonstrated notable toxic effects in aquatic species in previous studies. However, most existing investigations have focused solely on the individual toxicity of these pollutants, leaving a critical knowledge gap concerning their combined effects—especially under chronic exposure scenarios. The present study, through a prolonged exposure design and comprehensive assessment of interactions between PSNPs and ZnO-NPs across a wide range of physiological, biochemical, immunological, and oxidative stress markers in zebrafish (Danio rerio), provides valuable insights into the interactive toxicity of emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.
Methods: In this study, 420 adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to seven experimental treatments, including varying concentrations of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs; 50 and 100 µg/L), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 10 and 20 mg/L), and two combined treatments of these two nanoparticles. Following a 28-day exposure period, whole-body samples were collected to assess a range of physiological endpoints, including biochemical markers (lipoproteins, nitrogenous metabolites, and hepatic enzymes), non-specific immune indicators (lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and acid phosphatase [ACP]), as well as antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]).
Findings: The findings revealed that long-term exposure to the nanoparticles, both individually and in combination, led to significant increases in LDL, HDL, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to the control group, with the most pronounced alterations observed in the ZnO-NPs©20 treatment. Moreover, total protein, albumin, immunoglobulin, lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP) levels were significantly elevated across all exposure groups. Creatinine concentration increased in response to ZnO-NPs and the combined PSNPs/ZnO-NPs treatments, whereas urea levels showed a significant reduction in the PSNPs/100+ZnO-NPs©20 group. Hepatic enzymes ALT and AST were also markedly elevated in all nanoparticle-treated groups, particularly in the PSNPs/100+ZnO-NPs©10 combination treatment.
Conclusion: The interaction between the two nanoparticles was predominantly characterized by additive and inhibitory effects, with no evidence supporting the occurrence of synergistic or antagonistic interactions. Additionally, PSNPs played a more prominent role in triggering physiological responses. These findings underscore the importance of considering the combined effects of nanocontaminants on aquatic organisms in environmental risk assessments |
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| Keywords: Plastic, Nanoparticle, Zebrafish, Oxidative Stress, Biochemical Indicators |
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Type of Study: Research/ Original/ Regular Article |
Subject:
Marine Biology
Received: 2025/05/28 | Revised: 2025/10/4 | Accepted: 2025/10/4
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