Co-exposure to microplastics and bisphenol A increases viral susceptibility in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) via oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) frequently co-occur in freshwater ecosystems, yet their combined impacts on host-pathogen interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we exposed juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to environmentally relevant concentrations of MPs, BPA, and their mixture. Co-exposure markedly inhibited NRF2-mediated antioxidant signaling, leading to downregulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, CAT, GPx), elevated hepatic reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and depletion of ATP. These redox disturbances were accompanied by mitochondrial damage, increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, Caspase-3), and accumulation of TUNEL-positive nuclei, indicative of apoptosis. Strikingly, only co-exposed fish exhibited enhanced replication of nervo

SUBMITTER: Gao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12592606 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature