Neurotoxicity, Immunotoxicity, and Metabolic Dysfunction of Plastic Pollution in Freshwater and Marine Species

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Contaminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2025 | Viewed by 2799

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2187 Mowry Rd. Bldg. 471, P.O. Box 110885, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Interests: molecular toxicology; pesticides; neurotoxicology; environmental science; neurodegeneration; wildlife/human health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Co-Guest Editor
School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Interests: aquatic toxicology; neurotoxicology; microplastics; additives; ecotoxicology; wildlife/human health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) are ubiquitous in both marine and freshwater environments. Current research is directed towards the fate, distribution, and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics in invertebrate and vertebrate species, and studies have quantified the plastics in tissues of aquatic species. The biological responses to plastic exposure can include oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. However, emerging research has drawn attention to other ways in which MPs, NPs, plastic additives, and types of plasticizers have a biological impact, including their potential for neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and role in metabolic dysfunction. This Special Issue will highlight research conducted in aquatic animal species, with a special emphasis on the brain, immune system, and metabolism of organisms. The submission of original contributions and reviews that consider the toxic outcomes of plastic exposure and their additives in invertebrates and vertebrates inhabiting freshwater and marine environments is encouraged. This Special Issue welcomes any submission focusing on neuronal, immunological, and metabolic endpoints in aquatic animal models to better understand the impact of plastic contamination on animal health. Studies leveraging molecular approaches to discern the mechanisms of toxicity underlying plastic pollution, like transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, or lipidomics, are encouraged. Please feel free to contact the Guest Editors directly for additional information and further directions.

Dr. Christopher J. Martyniuk
Dr. Xuefang Liang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microplastics
  • central nervous system
  • aquatic toxicology
  • immune system
  • plastic additives
  • metabolism
  • tires
  • marine ecosystems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

16 pages, 3642 KiB  
Review
Neurotoxicity of Benzotriazole Ultraviolet Stabilizers in Teleost Fishes: A Review
by Mengli Li, Emma Ivantsova, Xuefang Liang and Christopher J. Martyniuk
Toxics 2024, 12(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12020125 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Plastic additives that maintain integrity have been extensively studied for potential toxicity to fish; however, chemicals that protect polymers from (artificial) UV degradation are less studied. Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVSs) are the most widely used UV stabilizers in plastics and are often used [...] Read more.
Plastic additives that maintain integrity have been extensively studied for potential toxicity to fish; however, chemicals that protect polymers from (artificial) UV degradation are less studied. Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVSs) are the most widely used UV stabilizers in plastics and are often used in sunscreens, cosmetics, paint, and food packaging. BUVSs can negatively affect aquatic wildlife when released into the environment via plastic degradation. In this review, we summarize the distribution of BUVSs globally and discuss neurotoxicological endpoints measured in fish to understand how these plastic additives can affect the neurological health of teleost fishes. BUVSs have been detected in aquatic environments at concentrations ranging from 0.05 up to 99,200 ng/L. Studies show that BUVSs affect behavioral responses and acetylcholinesterase activity, indicators of neurotoxicity. Our computational analysis using transcriptome data suggests certain pathways associated with neurodegeneration are responsive to exposure to BUVSs, like “Complement Activation in Alzheimer’s Disease”. Based on our review, we identify some research needs for future investigations: (1) molecular studies in the central nervous system to define precise mechanisms of neurotoxicity; (2) a wider range of tests for assessing aberrant behaviors given that BUVSs can affect the activity of larval zebrafish; and (3) histopathology of the nervous system to accompany biochemical analyses. These data are expected to enhance understanding of the neurotoxicity potential of benzotriazoles and other plastic additives. Full article
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