From Personal Care to Coastal Concerns: Investigating Polyethylene Glycol Impact on Mussel’s Antioxidant, Physiological, and Cellular Responses
Cristiana Roberta Multisanti,
Giorgia Zicarelli,
Alessia Caferro,
Mariacristina Filice,
Caterina Faggio,
Irene Vazzana,
Jana Blahova,
Pavla Lakdawala,
Maria Carmela Cerra,
Sandra Imbrogno,
Federica Impellitteri
Affiliations
Cristiana Roberta Multisanti
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
Giorgia Zicarelli
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Alessia Caferro
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Mariacristina Filice
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Caterina Faggio
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Irene Vazzana
Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily, Via Gino Marinuzzi, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Jana Blahova
Department of Animal Protection and Welfare & Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
Pavla Lakdawala
Department of Animal Protection and Welfare & Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
Maria Carmela Cerra
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Sandra Imbrogno
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Federica Impellitteri
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) containing persistent and potentially hazardous substances have garnered attention for their ubiquitous presence in natural environments. This study investigated the impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a common PPCP component, on Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were subjected to two PEG concentrations (E1: 0.1 mg/L and E2: 10 mg/L) over 14 days. Oxidative stress markers in both gills and digestive glands were evaluated; cytotoxicity assays were performed on haemolymph and digestive gland cells. Additionally, cell volume regulation (RVD assay) was investigated to assess physiological PEG-induced alterations. In the gills, PEG reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) at E1. In the digestive gland, only LPO was influenced, while SOD activity and oxidatively modified proteins (OMPs) were unaltered. A significant decrease in cell viability was observed, particularly at E2. Additionally, the RVD assay revealed disruptions in the cells subjected to E2. These findings underscore the effects of PEG exposure on M. galloprovincialis. They are open to further investigations to clarify the environmental implications of PPCPs and the possibility of exploring safer alternatives.
