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Cadmium and polyvinyl chloride microplastics induce mitochondrial damage and apoptosis under oxidative stress in duck
Hui Zou1, Jie Song2, Xianzu Luo2
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China.
Abstract:
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) and Cadmium (Cd) are widely occurring water pollutants that interact with each other to exert toxic effects. As a waterfowl, Muscovy duck is more susceptible to PVC-MPs and Cd than land poultry. In this study, Muscovy duck was used as a research model, and 10 mg/L PVC-MPs and 50 mg/kg Cd were used alone and in combine to explore the effect on the kidney of Muscovy duck. We found that treatment of Cd or PVC-MPs alone changed the kidney weight, increased creatinine and urea nitrogen content, and disrupted oxidative balance and macro/trace element metabolism, while the combination of PVC-MPs+Cd reduced the accumulation of Cd in the kidney. In addition, treatment of Cd and PVC-MPs alone caused mitochondrial damage, increase or decrease of mitochondria-associated proteins (Fis1, Drp1, PGC-1α, Nrf1), and Nrf2 signaling pathway plays a key role in detoxification and alleviation of oxidative stress, and we found that PVC-MPs+Cd treatment recovered related proteins (Nrf2, Keap-1, HO-1, NQO1, AC-SOD2, SOD2) compared with the Cd and PVC-MPs alone treatment. Finally, we detected changes in apoptosis-related proteins and genes (Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, Cytc) and TUNEL staining, and after PVC-MPs+Cd treatment, apoptosis-related proteins/genes recovered and the apoptosis rate decreased compared with the Cd and PVC-MPs alone treatment. These results indicate that renal function is impaired, oxidative stress and trace element metabolism disorder, nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is activated into the nucleus to induce the expression of related antioxidant proteins (such as HO-1, NQO1). These injuries can induce mitochondrial damage and eventually lead to renal cell apoptosis. To sum up, these evidence show that Cd or PVC-MPs can induce kidney oxidative damage, trace element metabolism disorder, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis.
Insights
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics and Cadmium exposure harm Muscovy duck kidneys, causing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Combined exposure reduced Cadmium accumulation and mitigated some toxic effects by activating the Nrf2 pathway.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
- Aquatic Toxicology
Background:
- Polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) and Cadmium (Cd) are prevalent water pollutants.
- Muscovy ducks, as waterfowl, exhibit higher susceptibility to PVC-MPs and Cd toxicity compared to terrestrial poultry.
- Understanding the combined toxicological effects of PVC-MPs and Cd on aquatic bird kidney health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the individual and combined effects of PVC-MPs and Cd on the kidney of Muscovy ducks.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of toxicity, including oxidative stress, element metabolism, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Muscovy ducks were exposed to 10 mg/L PVC-MPs and 50 mg/kg Cd, alone and in combination.
- Kidney weight, biochemical parameters (creatinine, urea nitrogen), oxidative stress markers, macro/trace element levels, and mitochondrial protein expression were analyzed.
- Apoptosis-related proteins, gene expression, and TUNEL staining were assessed to evaluate cell death.
Main Results:
- Both PVC-MPs and Cd alone impaired renal function, disrupted oxidative balance, and altered element metabolism.
- Combined PVC-MPs+Cd exposure reduced Cd accumulation in the kidney and mitigated mitochondrial damage.
- The Nrf2 signaling pathway was activated by combined exposure, leading to recovery of antioxidant proteins and reduced apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Cd and PVC-MPs induce kidney damage through oxidative stress, disordered element metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis.
- Combined exposure to PVC-MPs and Cd demonstrates a complex interaction, potentially offering some protective effects against Cd accumulation and toxicity.
- The Nrf2 pathway plays a significant role in the detoxification and mitigation of oxidative stress induced by these pollutants.
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