Interactions effects of nano-microplastics and heavy metals in hybrid snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ x Channa argus ♂ )

The interaction between microplastics and contaminants has potentially generated new undefined risks on animals and ecosystems, and nano-microplastics are considered to be more harmful than microplastics. This experiment investigated the interactions and effects of nano-microplastics with heavy metals cadmium in hybrid snakehead. Different concentrations of nano-microplastics 80 nm (50 mu g/L and 500 mu g/L) and Cd (50 mu g/L) were used for exposure, and four sampling points were set for 24 h, 48 h, 96 h and clear-48 h. Results indicated that the morphology of gill was altered under the influence of nano-microplastics and cadmium, and the damage was aggravated with time. Nano-microplastics and Cd can cause oxidative damage to fish liver partly by effect the activities of antioxidant enzyme, and significantly suppressed the expressions of genes related to the inflammation (IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha) and as well as significantly up-regulated the expression of genes HSP70 and SOD. Additionally, the mRNA levels of MT gene can be speculated that the heavy metal cadmium may accumulated in the body over time. And the concentration of heavy metals will also affect their accumulation in the body. Our study elucidated the nano-microplastics and Cd will increase the impact on environmental and organisms that the nano-microplastics contribute to the bioaccumulation of metals, which served as a new support for study the interaction between environmental contaminants.

Automated summary

This experiment investigated the interactions and effects of nano-microplastics with heavy metals cadmium in hybrid snakehead. Results showed that nano-microplastics and cadmium influenced the morphology of gills, caused oxidative damage to fish liver, and affected the activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as the expression of genes related to inflammation and metal accumulation.