Toxicity of co-exposure of microplastics and lead in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging threat to freshwater ecosystems with several ecotoxicological ramifications for fish. Microplastics (MPs) can adsorb heavy metals on their surfaces and increase their availability to aquatic organisms. The combined impact of lead and microplastics on fish has only been studied seldom utilizing a variety of markers. The present study aimed to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, and inflammatory signals (cytokines), as well as antioxidant enzymes in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to lead (Pb) and MPs individually and combined for 15 days (acute toxicity experiment). The fish were split into four groups, the first of which was the control group. The second group received exposure to 1 mg/L of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2]. The third group was given 100 mg/L of MPs. A solution containing 100 mg/L of MPs and 1 mg/L of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] was administered to the fourth group (the combination group). According to the findings, when MPs and Pb were combined for 15 days, the red blood cells (RBCs), thrombocytes, and lymphocytes were significantly reduced in comparison to the control fish. When compared to the control fish, the fish exposed to MPs and Pb alone or together showed a significant rise in blood interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokines. Both MPs and Pb exposure in catfish resulted in significant changes in the plasma electrolytes. The fish treated with MPs and Pb individually or in combination showed significant reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels compared to the control group. The fish exposed to the combined action of MPs and Pb showed a considerable modification in all biochemical markers. The difference in the mean concentration of Pb (mg/L) between the fish exposed to Pb alone and the fish subjected to Pb and MPs combination was not statistically significant. In conclusion, according to this investigation, exposure to Pb caused an insignificant increase in Pb accumulation when MPs were present. However, co-exposure may result in anemia, cellular harm, extremely high levels of oxidative stress, and an inflammatory reaction.

Polystyrene nanoplastic and engine oil synergistically intensify toxicity in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

“…This was confirmed here as fish exposed to either PS-NPs or EO and their combination suffered an increased IL-1β and IL-6 levels where the combination group recorded the maximum significant elevation in comparison to all other toxicity groups, which in case of inflammation and cellular damage are typical immune responses [ 55 ]. Similar inflammatory indications found in earlier studies [ 56 ] confirmed by an increased expression level of IL-1β gene in snakehead fish after exposure to nano-microplastics and cadmium and in C. gariepinus exposed to microplastics and lead [ 57 ]. Uncontrolled production of pro-inflammatory cytokines leads to serious systemic inflammatory response with pathological consequences [ 58 ] which was confirmed in the current histological alterations of vital organs.…”

Deleterious effects of polypropylene released from paper cups on blood profile and liver tissue of Clarias gariepinus: bioremediation using Spirulina

“…Based on liver damage, in this study, some blood indicators (ALP, AST, and ALT) exhibited a non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) increase in the PP-MP-exposed group (0.14 mg/L) and a significant increase in the PP-MP (0.28 mg/L)-exposed group when compared to the control group. The results obtained were consistent with what was observed in catfish (C. gariepinus) after exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) (Sayed et al, 2021a;Abdelbaky et al, 2022;Soliman et al, 2023), after exposure to microplastic particles in African catfish (C. gariepinus), and after juvenile of common carp C. carpio were exposed to three distinct sizes of polyethylene plastics: nano, micro, and macro (Hamed et al, 2022). Many fish species, such as the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) (Oliveira et al, 2013), common carp (C. carpio) (Haghi Nematdoost and Banaee, 2017;Ammar et al, 2023), Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) (Hamed et al, 2019a), catfish (C. gariepinus) (Sayed et al, 2021a), and red tilapia (O. niloticus) (Yang et al, 2023), have all experienced changes in their biochemical parameters as a result of MP exposure.…”

“…The results obtained were consistent with what was observed in catfish ( C . gariepinus ) after exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) ( Sayed et al, 2021a ; Abdelbaky et al, 2022 ; Soliman et al, 2023 ), after exposure to microplastic particles in African catfish ( C . gariepinus ), and after juvenile of common carp C. carpio were exposed to three distinct sizes of polyethylene plastics: nano, micro, and macro ( Hamed et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Despite the fact that much research has been undertaken to evaluate propylene gas-related toxicity, there are few studies that estimate the direct toxicity of PP particles ( Bobori et al, 2022 ). Some studies have suggested that the potential toxicity of microplastic particles, such as hemolytic effects on red blood cells (RBCs), can be controlled by concentration, exposure period, shape, and surface charge ( Hamed et al, 2019a ; Hwang et al, 2019 ; Sayed et al, 2021a ; Hamed et al, 2022 ; Soliman et al, 2023 ). As a result, Hwang et al (2019) investigated RBC hemolysis following direct contact with PP particles of varying sizes ( Mazzaglia et al, 2018 ).…”