Microbead-Mediated Enhancement of Bacterial Toxicity: Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Korean Rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, Following Exposure to Streptococcus iniae

Abstract

Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, a coastal species, is vulnerable to pollutants such as microplastics and bacteria. While interactions between microplastics and other pollutants have been studied, little is known about microplastic and bacteria interactions. This study examined the effects of combined exposure to polystyrene microplastics in the form of microbeads (MB; 0.2 µm, 5 and 50 beads/L) and Streptococcus iniae (1 × 105 and 1 × 107 CFU/mL) for five days on oxidative stress and apoptosis in Korean rockfish. We assessed the mRNA expression and activity of oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, H2O2, NO, CYP1A1, GST), plasma LPO levels, and caspase-3 expression in liver tissue. Co-exposure to high MB and S. iniae concentrations significantly elevated oxidative stress and apoptosis markers, suggesting enhanced toxicity. This may result from MB facilitating pathogen transport into the fish, indicating microplastics can act as vectors for bacterial infection in aquatic environments.