Dynamics of interaction and effects of microplastics on planarian tissue regeneration and cellular homeostasis

Publication date: Available online 9 November 2019Source: Aquatic ToxicologyAuthor(s): Gaetana Gambino, Alessandra Falleni, Marco Nigro, Alessandra Salvetti, Antonella Cecchettini, Chiara Ippolito, Patrizia Guidi, Leonardo RossiABSTRACTIncreasing microplastics pollution of marine and terrestrial water is a concerning issue for ecosystems and human health. Nevertheless, the interaction of microplastics with freshwater biota is still a poorly explored field. In order to achieve information concerning the uptake, distribution and effect of microplastics in planarians, Dugesia japonica specimens have been fed with mixtures of food and differently shaped and sized plastic particles. Feeding activity and food intake were non-altered by the presence of high concentrations of different types of plastic particles. However, the persistence of microplastic within the planarian body was a function of size/shape, being small spheres (<10 µm in diameter) and short fibers (14 µm large and 5/6 µm length) more persisting than larger spheres and longer fibers which were eliminated almost entirely by ejection in a few hours. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that at least part of microplastics was phagocytized by the enterocytes. Chronic exposure to small plastic did not alter the regenerative ability but caused a significant reduction of the gut epithelium thickness and lipid content of enterocytes, together with the induction of apoptotic cell death, modulati...

Source: Aquatic Toxicology - November 10, 2019 Category: Toxicology Source Type: research