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.

Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology University of Veterinary Sciences Brno 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Biology Ecology and Earth Science University of Calabria 87036 Rende Italy

Department of Chemical Biological Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences University of Messina 98166 Messina Italy

Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn 80122 Naples Italy

Department of Veterinary Sciences University of Messina 98168 Messina Italy

Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily Via Gino Marinuzzi 90129 Palermo Italy

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