Fine polystyrene microplastics render immune responses more vulnerable to two veterinary antibiotics in a bivalve species. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Weishang; Tang, Yu; Du, Xueying; Han, Yu; Shi, Wei; Sun, Shuge; Zhang, Weixia; Zheng, Huoqing; Liu, Guangxu
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 164(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Microplastics -- Oxytetracycline -- Florfenicol -- Immune responses -- Bivalves; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.111995
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

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. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Exposure to antibiotic OTC and FLO hampers the immune responses of blood clam. Immunotoxicity may be due to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and lectin deficiency. Antibiotics alter the expression of immune-, apoptosis-, and detoxification-genes. The immunotoxic impacts are significantly aggravated by the copresence of MPs.