Alexei Volkov
The impact of plastic particles on living organisms is not fully understood, but they are known to carry toxic chemicals, pesticides, and bioactive compounds, which present a risk to animal and human health. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model for determining the effects of plastics on reproduction. C. elegans has been used to study the impact of different types and sizes of plastics, including polystyrene, low-density polyethylene, and biodegradable polymers, on reproduction, body length, neurodevelopment, and Parkinson's disease symptoms. The toxicity of plastics towards C. elegans has been found to depend on the media, with greater sensitivity to larger plastic particles in soil than in liquid media.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Polystyrene (PS) |
| Plastic size | 42 nm and 530 nm |
| Plastic concentration | 100 mg/L in liquid media and 10 mg/kg in soil media |
| Plastic shape | Beads |
| Plastic toxicity | Decreased number of offspring, inhibition of body length, locomotion deficits, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity |
| Plastic effects on food ingestion | Interfered with feeding, decreased ingestion of food |
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What You'll Learn
- C. elegans are more sensitive to larger plastic particles in soil than in liquid
- Polystyrene plastic particles can cause neurodevelopmental toxicity in C. elegans
- Nanoplastics induce Parkinson's-like symptoms in C. elegans
- Positively charged nanoplastics are more toxic to C. elegans than negatively charged ones
- C. elegans exposed to microplastics have fewer offspring
C. elegans are more sensitive to larger plastic particles in soil than in liquid
Plastic polymers are one of the most widely used materials, with applications in a variety of fields. Over time, these polymers slowly degrade into nano- and micro-scale particles. These plastic particles have been shown to have toxic effects on living organisms, including animals and humans.
The nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans, is a free-living species that has been used in studies to determine the effects of plastic particles on reproduction and body length. In one study, C. elegans was exposed to polystyrene particles of two different sizes (42 nm and 530 nm) in both liquid and soil media. The results showed that C. elegans was more sensitive to the larger particles (530 nm) in soil media than in liquid media, with the median effective concentration (EC50) values of the 42 nm and 530 nm particles being >100 and 14.23 (8.91-22.72) mg/kg, respectively.
The soil composition was found to have a significant effect on the toxicity of the 530 nm polystyrene particles, with clay-rich soil samples intensifying the size-dependent effects. The bulk density, cation exchange capacity, clay content, and sand content were identified as the dominant factors influencing the toxicity of these particles.
In terms of reproduction, exposure to plastic particles has been shown to decrease the number of offspring in C. elegans. This decrease was observed to be independent of the plastic type and was more pronounced at higher concentrations. Additionally, the presence of plastic particles interfered with feeding, leading to a decrease in food ingestion and a subsequent impact on reproduction.
Furthermore, the toxic effects of plastic particles on C. elegans are not limited to reproduction. Studies have shown that exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics can induce neurodevelopmental toxicity, resulting in increased reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial damage, inhibition of body length, locomotion deficits, and alterations in dopamine (DA) contents. Even low concentrations of 25 nm polystyrene nanoplastics have been found to impair growth and movement in C. elegans.
In conclusion, the available research indicates that C. elegans is more sensitive to larger plastic particles in soil than in liquid, with significant impacts on reproduction and body length. The toxicity of these particles is influenced by the soil composition, and the presence of plastic particles in the environment may have detrimental effects on living organisms.
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Polystyrene plastic particles can cause neurodevelopmental toxicity in C. elegans
Polystyrene plastic particles have been found to cause neurodevelopmental toxicity in C. elegans. This toxicity is dependent on particle size, with smaller nanoparticles (25 nm) exhibiting weaker neurotoxicity compared to larger particles (50 and 100 nm). The underlying mechanism involves the disruption of intracellular Ca2+ signalling pathways, ATP production, membrane stability, and
In a study by Zhao et al. (2017), C. elegans were exposed to nano-polystyrene particles in concentrations higher than 10 μg/L. This exposure induced alterations in behaviour, survival, and reproduction, indicating neurodevelopmental toxicity. Similarly, Lei et al. (2018) reported that exposure to 5.0 mg/m2 of microplastics for 2 days significantly impacted the survival, growth, and reproduction of C. elegans. These studies suggest that polystyrene plastic particles can have detrimental effects on the neurodevelopment of C. elegans, leading to potential reproductive and survival issues.
The neurodevelopmental toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) was further investigated by Kim et al. (2020), who exposed C. elegans to different concentrations (100 μg/L) of NPs. They found that the particles induced neurodevelopmental toxicity through oxidative damage and dopamine (DA) reduction. Additionally, they identified 89 up-regulated and 56 down-regulated genes in response to NP exposure, with predominant genes correlated with the biological function of cuticle development and molting cycle.
Another study by Mueller et al. (2020) focused on the indirect effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on C. elegans reproduction. They found that the presence of PS-MPs interfered with feeding, leading to a decreased number of offspring. This effect was more pronounced in smaller plastic particles, which may be due to their longer retention in the gut and preferential ingestion.
The toxicity of polystyrene plastic particles was also found to be influenced by soil composition. In a study by Kim et al. (2014, 2018), C. elegans were exposed to polystyrene particles of two different sizes (42 nm and 530 nm) in both liquid and soil media. The number of offspring significantly decreased at polystyrene concentrations of 100 mg/L in liquid media and 10 mg/kg in soil media. Additionally, the size-dependent effects were intensified in clay-rich soil samples.
In conclusion, polystyrene plastic particles can cause neurodevelopmental toxicity in C. elegans, impacting their behaviour, survival, and reproduction. The toxicity is influenced by particle size, soil composition, and exposure concentration. Further research is crucial to fully understand the impact of plastic particles on living organisms and the potential risks they pose to animal and human health.
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Nanoplastics induce Parkinson's-like symptoms in C. elegans
The widespread use of plastics has led to an increase in nanoplastic particles in the environment, which may pose potential health risks. Nanoplastics have been found to induce Parkinson's-like symptoms in C. elegans and human cells.
C. elegans is a free-living nematode species that has been used as a model organism to study the effects of nanoplastics on living organisms. The versatility and durability of plastic polymers have made them one of the most widely used materials, but over time, these polymers degrade into nano- and micro-scale particles. These particles can have toxic effects on organisms, including C. elegans.
In a study by Liang et al., it was found that polystyrene nanoplastics can potentially induce Parkinson's disease-like neurodegeneration by causing energy metabolism disorders in mice. This was also observed in C. elegans models, where nanoplastics exacerbated symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, including dopaminergic neuronal degeneration, locomotor dysfunction, and accumulation of α-Synuclein aggregates. The study by Liang et al. also found that nanoplastics can induce leaky gut and deep tissue penetration in C. elegans, compromising the integrity of the intestinal barrier and causing mitochondrial fragmentation.
Additionally, the effects of nanoplastics on C. elegans were found to be dependent on particle size and soil physicochemical properties. In soil media, C. elegans was more sensitive to larger particles (530 nm) than smaller particles (42 nm). The toxicity of the 530 nm-sized polystyrene particles was influenced by the bulk density, cation exchange capacity, clay content, and sand content of the soil.
Furthermore, the surface groups of the nanoplastics also played a role in their effects on C. elegans. Positively charged amino-modified nanoplastics were found to be more toxic than neutral or negatively charged nanoplastics, possibly due to differential interactions with membranes and organelles.
In conclusion, the research highlights the potential health hazards associated with the widespread use of plastics and the presence of nanoplastics in the environment. The studies on C. elegans provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which nanoplastics may induce Parkinson's-like symptoms and other toxic effects in living organisms. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of nanoplastics on human health and the environment.
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Positively charged nanoplastics are more toxic to C. elegans than negatively charged ones
Plastics are one of the most widely used materials, with plastic polymers being used in a variety of applications. Over time, these polymers slowly degrade into nano- and micro-scale particles. These plastic particles have been shown to have toxic effects on many species, and the full impact on living organisms is not yet fully understood.
The nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans, has been used as a model to study the effects of plastic particles on reproduction and neurodevelopment. C. elegans is advantageous as a model system because it provides a high-throughput method for determining the effects of plastic particles on animal reproduction, using reproductive behavioral endpoints and cellular readouts.
In one study, C. elegans was exposed to different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) of varying sizes (25, 50, and 100 nm) for 72 hours. The results showed that all PS-NPs induced an increase in reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial damage, resulting in inhibition of body length, head thrashes, body bending, and dopamine (DA) contents.
Positively charged amino-modified nanoplastics were found to be more toxic in C. elegans than neutral or negatively charged nanoplastics. This differential toxicity may be due to the varying interactions of these compounds with membranes and organelles. At short-term exposure (24 hours), a decrease in the number of progeny was observed with polystyrene MPs, regardless of surface modification. However, neutral PS particles had a larger impact on purine metabolism than amino- or carboxy-modified particles.
In summary, the toxicity of nanoplastics in C. elegans is influenced by factors such as particle size, material type, exposure concentration, and duration of exposure. Positively charged nanoplastics exhibit higher toxicity than negatively charged ones, and the underlying mechanisms may be related to their interactions with biological membranes and organelles.
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C. elegans exposed to microplastics have fewer offspring
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are plastic particles that are pervasive in the environment. They are taken up by organisms through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. MPs and NPs can carry toxic chemicals, pesticides, and bioactive compounds, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can impact animal and human health. The full impact of these plastic particles on living organisms is not yet fully understood.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans, is a free-living, soil-dwelling bacterivorous nematode that has been used as a model organism to study the effects of MPs and NPs on reproduction. C. elegans is a versatile model as it can be studied in both liquid and soil media. In one study, C. elegans was exposed to polystyrene (PS) particles of two different sizes (42 nm and 530 nm) in liquid and soil media. The number of offspring significantly decreased at polystyrene concentrations of 100 mg/L in liquid media and 10 mg/kg in soil media.
In another study, C. elegans was exposed to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and a blend of biodegradable polymers, polylactide (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 mg MP L-1. The nematodes exposed to MPs had up to 22.9% fewer offspring compared to the control group, with a stronger decline at higher concentrations. This decline was independent of the plastic type.
In addition to the number of offspring, MPs and NPs can also impact other aspects of reproduction in C. elegans. For example, exposure to PS-MPs has been shown to cause reproductive toxicity, even though the plastic particles were not detected in the reproductive tissues. This reproductive toxicity was correlated with decreased food ingestion, suggesting that the presence of PS-MPs interfered with feeding. Smaller plastic particles may be more toxic as they can stay in the gut for longer periods of time.
Overall, the available research suggests that exposure to MPs and NPs can negatively impact the reproduction of C. elegans, resulting in fewer offspring. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of plastic particles on living organisms and the role of soil properties in mediating these effects.
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Frequently asked questions
C. elegans is a free-living nematode species.
Plastics have been shown to have a range of negative impacts on C. elegans, including neurodevelopmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, inhibition of body length, locomotion deficits, and neurotoxicity.
Polystyrene (PS) plastics have been the focus of many studies, including PS nanoparticles (NPs) and microplastics (MPs). Other plastic types studied include low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and a blend of biodegradable polymers, polylactide (PLA), and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT).
Exposure to plastics has been shown to decrease the number of offspring in C. elegans, with a maximum reduction of up to 22.9% compared to the control group. This effect was observed across different plastic types and sizes.
The available literature does not specifically mention which plastics C. elegans tends to stick to. However, the studies indicate that C. elegans can ingest plastic particles, and the ingestion rate may depend on the particle size and the presence of other food sources.
