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Fine polystyrene microplastics render immune responses more vulnerable to two veterinary antibiotics in a bivalve
Weishang Zhou1, Yu Tang1, Xueying Du1
1College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
Abstract:
Living in close proximity to the sediment of coastal areas, bivalves may be exposed to veterinary antibiotic residuals and microplastics (MPs) simultaneously. However, the immunotoxic impacts of veterinary antibiotics remain unknown in bivalves, let alone their interactions with MPs. Therefore, the immune responses of two representative veterinary antibiotics, oxytetracycline and florfenicol, was investigated in a bivalve species, the blood clam (Tegillarca granosa). The effects of the copresence of MPs on the immune responses triggered by these antibiotics were also analyzed. Results showed that exposure to antibiotics investigated led to significant alteration in hematic parameters and reduction in lectin content in serum. In addition to inducing ROS production, aggravating lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, and suppressing the hemocyte viability, antibiotic treatments also downregulated the expression of immune- and detoxification-related genes but upregulated apoptosis-related Caspase-3. Furthermore, the toxic impacts of antibiotics were found to be significantly increased by the copresence of MPs.
Insights
Coastal bivalves exposed to veterinary antibiotics like oxytetracycline and florfenicol show immune system damage. Microplastics (MPs) worsen these antibiotic toxic effects, impacting blood clam health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Marine biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bivalves in coastal areas face simultaneous exposure to veterinary antibiotics and microplastics (MPs).
- The immunotoxic effects of veterinary antibiotics and their interaction with MPs in bivalves are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunotoxic impacts of oxytetracycline and florfenicol in the blood clam (Tegillarca granosa).
- To analyze the effects of microplastic (MP) copresence on antibiotic-induced immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of blood clams to oxytetracycline and florfenicol, with and without MPs.
- Analysis of hematic parameters, serum lectin content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, hemocyte viability, and gene expression (immune-, detoxification-, and apoptosis-related genes).
Main Results:
- Antibiotic exposure altered hematic parameters and reduced serum lectin.
- Antibiotics induced ROS, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and suppressed hemocyte viability.
- Antibiotic treatments downregulated immune/detoxification genes and upregulated Caspase-3, with MP copresence significantly increasing toxic impacts.
Conclusions:
- Oxytetracycline and florfenicol exert significant immunotoxic effects on blood clams.
- Microplastics exacerbate the toxicity of veterinary antibiotics in bivalves, posing a greater environmental risk.
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