Tissue accumulation of polystyrene microplastics causes oxidative stress, hepatopancreatic injury and metabolome alterations in Litopenaeus vannamei

Microplastics (MPs) pose one of the major environmental threats to marine organisms and ecosystems on a global scale. Although many marine crustaceans are highly susceptible to MPs pollution, the toxicological effects and mechanisms of MPs on crustaceans are poorly understood. The current study focused on the impacts of MPs accumulation in shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at the behavioral, histological and biochemical levels. The results demonstrated the accumulation of polystyrene MPs in various organs of L. vannamei, with highest MPs abundance in the hepatopancreas. The MPs accumulated in shrimp caused growth inhibition, abnormal swimming behavior and reduced swimming performance of L. vannamei. Following MPs exposure, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation were also observed, which were strongly linked to attenuated swimming activity of L. vannamei. The above MPs-induced disruption in balance of antioxidant system triggered the hepatopancreatic damage in L. vannamei, which was exacerbated with increasing MPs concentrations (from 0.02 to 1 mg L-1). Furthermore, metabolomics revealed that MPs exposure resulted in alterations of metabolic profiles and disturbed glycolysis, lipolysis and amino acid metabolism pathways in hepatopancreas of L. vannamei. This work confirms and expands the knowledge on the sublethal impacts and toxic modes of action of MPs in L. vannamei.

Automated summary

Microplastics (MPs) are a major environmental threat to marine organisms and ecosystems on a global scale. This study focused on the impacts of MPs accumulation in Litopenaeus vannamei, showing that MPs accumulate in various organs and have negative effects on growth, swimming behavior, and swimming performance of the shrimp. MPs exposure also led to oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and hepatopancreatic damage, which worsened with increasing MPs concentrations. Metabolomics analysis revealed alterations in metabolic profiles and disrupted glycolysis, lipolysis, and amino acid metabolism pathways in the hepatopancreas of L. vannamei. This research enhances our understanding of the sublethal impacts and toxic modes of action of MPs in L. vannamei.