Combined effects of pentachlorophenol and nano-TiO2 with different sizes on antioxidant, digestive, and immune responses of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus.

Marine nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) pollution are escalating concerns in coastal areas. This study investigated the combined effects of continuous exposure to nano-TiO2 (25 nm, 100 nm) and PCP (0, 1, 10 µg/L) for 28 days on the antioxidant, digestive, and immune abilities of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Compared with the control group, the interaction between nano-TiO2 and PCP was significantly higher than exposure to a single stressor, with a pronounced decrease in amylase activity observed due to the reducing nano-TiO2 particle sizes. Resulting in increased MDA and SOD activity. The expression levels of Toll4, CSP3, and SER genes in crab hemolymph showed perturbations following exposure to nano-TiO2 and PCP. In summary, according to the results of CAT, GPX, PES and AMS enzyme activities, it was concluded that compared to the larger particle size (100 nm), the single stress of nano-TiO2 at a smaller particle size (25 nm) and co-stress with PCP have more significant impacts on P. trituberculatus. However, the potential physiological regulation mechanism of the interaction between these pollutants remains elusive and requires further study.

Effects of nano-TiO2 and pentachlorophenol on the bioenergetics of mussels under predatory stress.

Organic and nanoparticle pollutants are the main environmental problems affecting marine species, which have received great attention. However, the combined effect of pollutants on marine life in the presence of predators needs to be clarified. In this study, the effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) on the energy metabolism of mussels (Mytilus coruscus) in the presence of predators were assessed through cellular energy allocation (CEA) approach. Mussels were exposed to PCP (0, 1, and 10 µg/L), nano-TiO2 (1 mg/L, 25 and 100 nm), and predators (Portunus trituberculatus presence/absence) for 14 days. Exposure to high concentrations of PCP (10 µg/L) with small particle size nano-TiO2 (25 nm) decreased cellular energy stores (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins) and increased cellular energy demand (measured as the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport system, ETS). During the first 7 days, energy was supplied mainly through the consumption of carbohydrates, while lipids are mobilized to participate after 7 days. The presence of predators caused a further decrease in energy stores. These findings demonstrate that PCP, nano-TiO2 and predators have a negative impact on energy metabolism at the cellular level. Carbohydrates are not able to meet the metabolic demand, lipids need to be consumed, and energy metabolism was also mediated by the involvement of proteins. Overall, our results suggest that PCP, nano-TiO2 and predators disrupt the cellular energy metabolism of mussels through reduced cellular energy allocation, small particles and predators drive mussels to exert energetic metabolic adjustments for detoxification reactions when toxic contaminants are present.

Nano-TiO2 aggravates the adverse effect of pentachlorophenol on antioxidant and immune response in anti-predatory mussels.

Nano-TiO2 can act as a vector to organic compounds, such as pentachlorophenol (PCP) posing a potential threat to the marine ecosystems. Studies showed that nano pollutant toxicity can be modulated by abiotic factors, but little is known about the potential influence of biotic stressors (such as predators) on the physiological responses to pollutants in marine organisms. We explored the effects of n-TiO2 and PCP on the mussel Mytilus coruscus in the presence of its natural predator, the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Exposure to n-TiO2, PCP, and predation risk showed interactive effects on antioxidant and immune parameters of the mussels. Elevated activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), suppressed activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lower levels of glutathione (GSH) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicated dysregulation of the antioxidant system and immune stress induced by single PCP or n-TiO2 exposure. Integrated biomarker (IBR) response values showed the effect of PCP was concentration dependent. Of the two used n-TiO2 sizes (25 and 100 nm), larger particles induced higher antioxidant and immune disturbances indicating higher toxicity possibly due to higher bioavailability. Compared to single PCP exposure, the combination of n-TiO2 and PCP enhanced the imbalance of SOD/CAT and GSH/GPX and led to elevated oxidative lesions and activation of immune-related enzymes. Overall, the combined impacts of pollutants and biotic stress exhibited a greater magnitude of adverse effects on antioxidant defense and immune parameters in mussels. The toxicological effects of PCP were exacerbated in the presence of n-TiO2, and the deleterious impact of these stressors was further amplified under predator-induced risk after prolonged (28 days) exposure. However, the underlying physiological regulatory mechanisms governing the interplay of these stressors and predatory cues on mussels remain elusive, warranting further investigation.

Intestinal response of mussels to nano-TiO2 and pentachlorophenol in the presence of predator.

With the development of industry, agriculture and intensification of human activities, a large amount of nano-TiO2 dioxide and pentachlorophenol have entered aquatic environment, causing potential impacts on the health of aquatic animals and ecosystems. We investigated the effects of predators, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and nano titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on the gut health (microbiota and digestive enzymes) of the thick-shelled mussel Mytilus coruscus. Nano-TiO2, as the photocatalyst for PCP, enhanced to toxic effects of PCP on the intestinal health of mussels, and they made the mussels more vulnerable to the stress from predators. Nano-TiO2 particles with smaller size exerted a larger negative effect on digestive enzymes, whereas the size effect on gut bacteria was insignificant. The presence of every two of the three factors significantly affected the population richness and diversity of gut microbiota. Our findings revealed that the presence of predators, PCP, and nano-TiO2 promoted the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and inhibited digestive enzyme activity. This research investigated the combined stress on marine mussels caused by nanoparticles and pesticides in the presence of predators and established a theoretical framework for explaining the adaptive mechanisms in gut microbes and the link between digestive enzymes and gut microbiota.

Toxic effects of nano-TiO2 in bivalves-A synthesis of meta-analysis and bibliometric analysis.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the increasing production and application of nano-TiO2 in consumer products have inevitably led to its release into aquatic systems and therefore caused the exposure of aquatic organisms, resulting in growing environmental concerns. However, the safety of nano-TiO2 in aquatic environments has not been systematically assessed, especially in coastal and estuary waters where a large number of filter-feeding animals live. Bivalves are considered around the world to be a unique target group for nanoparticle toxicity, and numerous studies have been conducted to test the toxic effects of nano-TiO2 on bivalves. The aim of this review was to systematically summarize and analyze published data concerning the toxicological effects of nano-TiO2 in bivalves. In particular, the toxicity of nano-TiO2 to the antioxidant system and cell physiology was subjected to meta-analysis to reveal the mechanism of the toxicological effects of nano-TiO2 and the factors affecting its toxicological effects. To reveal the cooperation, hot keywords and co-citations in this field, bibliometric analysis was conducted, and the results showed that the toxicological molecular mechanisms of nano-TiO2 and the combined effects of nano-TiO2 and other environmental factors are two major hot spots. Finally, some perspectives and insights were provided in this review for future research on nano-TiO2 toxicology in bivalves.