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.

A high percentage of the broad spectrum of contaminants in aquatic environments is represented by personal care products (PCPs). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is contained in the formulation of many of these products. The extensive use of PVA caused the annual release of over 65.000 tons into the environment, constituting 1.2 % of particles in the Mediterranean Sea. For these reasons, the study aimed to investigate, for the first time in bivalve species, the possible cytotoxicity implications on non-target species, involved in the human food chain, caused by exposure to two different concentrations of PVA (PVA1: 0.1 mg L^-1 and PVA2: 10 mg L^-1). Following a fortnight of exposure, cell viability, regulation of cell volume decrease, oxidative stress, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Moreover, the capability of the animal to produce byssal plaques was observed, representing a novelty for assessing the health status of mussels. The results showed a modification in the regulatory capacity of cell volume, particularly in those exposed to PVA2. An alteration in the superoxide dismutase activity (in PVA2) and in the levels of oxidatively modified proteins (PVA1 and PVA2) was detected in gills. A modification in the byssal plaque production following PVA exposure was also observed. These findings enrich the knowledge about the interaction between PVA and organisms, underscoring further research's need to elucidate the environmental implications.

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla), a catadromous species currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, is undergoing a severe continental decline. Among the multiple contributing factors, chemical contamination of aquatic environments—particularly by heavy metals—plays a major role. This study analyzed the concentrations of 16 trace elements in the muscle tissue of A. anguilla specimens collected from three ecologically distinct sites in Southern Italy: an estuary (Foce del Crati), a lagoon (Laghi di Gizzeria) and a stream (torrente Raganello). Correlations between trace element accumulation and the onset of oxidative stress were also examined. To assess eel health status, oxidative biomarkers were also analyzed in heart, liver, and gill tissues. Statistical analysis among populations revealed significant differences in the bioaccumulation of 10 of the 16 elements, with Cd and As being of particular concern. No significant correlations were found between these two elements and oxidative biomarkers, but Spearman analysis identified both positive and negative correlations with other elements varying by the site of collection. Oxidative biomarkers also showed site- and tissue-specific variation. In particular, SOD activity was highest in the liver and varied across sites; LPO and protein carbonyl levels were generally lower in eels from the Crati River, although heart values deviated from this trend, highlighting tissue-specific response patterns. These results underscore the complex interplay between chemical contamination and the physiology of the European eel, emphasizing the influence of environmental context in modulating tissue-specific oxidative responses.