Evidence of Endocrine Disruption and Oxidative Stress in Mytilus galloprovincialis Exposed to 17α-Ethinylestradiol Sandra Copeto, Inês João Ferreira, Catarina Mansilha, Armindo Melo, Carla Motta, et al. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 2026 The presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in aquatic environments has raised significant concerns, particularly regarding their impact on marine biota. Among these compounds, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen widely used in oral contraceptives, is highly persistent and biologically active at very low concentrations. This study evaluated the effects of EE2 exposure on oxidative stress responses and endocrine disruption in Mytilus galloprovincialis, exposed for 28 days to three EE2 concentrations (10, 30, and 300 ng·L−1). Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as Lipid Peroxidation (MDA levels), total ubiquitin (UBI) and the endocrine disruption marker, vitellogenin-like protein (VTG) were assessed. Results showed significant increase in GST and a decrease in CAT activities followed by an elevation at 300 ng·L−1, slightly higher than control values. Overall, results suggest an enhanced oxidative challenge. No significant changes were detected in MDA and UBI levels. VTG-like protein levels increased according to the EE2 concentrations tested, suggesting an effect on the mussel’s endocrine system. These results show the activation of detoxification and antioxidant defense mechanisms in exposed mussels as a response to mitigate oxidative stress damage. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of using biomarkers in pollution monitoring studies and environmental risk assessment.
Interactive Effects of Laminaria digitata Supplementation and Heatwave Events on Farmed Gilthead Seabream Antioxidant Status, Digestive Activity, and Lipid Metabolism Rita V. C. Gomes, Isa Marmelo, Tomás Chainho, Alícia Pereira, Daniel Bolotas, et al. Environments Mdpi, 2026 Extreme weather events, particularly marine heatwaves (MHWs), increasingly threaten aquaculture systems worldwide by impairing animal physiology and economical sustainability. This showcases the need to develop nutritional approaches that enhance animal performance under sub-optimal conditions. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with the brown macroalga Laminaria digitata (whole dried powder or extract) on the antioxidant status, digestive activity, and lipid metabolism of juvenile Sparus aurata exposed to a simulated MHW. Fish were fed four diets (control, 0.3% extract, and 0.3% or 1.5% powder) for 30 days before being exposed to a category III Mediterranean MHW. Under optimal temperature, macroalgae supplementation reduced oxidative status (lower catalase activity). The powder-feeds decreased lipid peroxidation, while the extract-feed elicited the opposite. All supplemented diets reduced proteolytic activity, and the extract-feed also decreased amylase activity. The MHW impaired gastrointestinal antioxidant defenses and liver lipid metabolism, decreasing catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities, as well as ΣPUFA n-6, 16:1 n-7, and 18:2 n-6 levels. The 0.3% powder-feed mitigated MHW-induced reductions in antioxidant activity, while both 0.3%-diets prevented thermal stress-related alterations on fatty acid profile. Overall, L. digitata powder at 0.3% was most effective at enhancing thermal stress resilience, supporting its value as a functional aquafeed ingredient.
Development of Innovative Mediterranean-Style Semi-Hard Goat’s Cheese Supplemented with Seaweeds (Palmaria palmata and Ulva sp.) and Its Characterization Bruno M. Campos, Bruno S. Moreira-Leite, Abigail Salgado, Edgar Ramalho, Isa Marmelo, et al. Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2025 The main objective of this study was the development of two semi-hard goat cheeses supplemented with Palmaria palmata and Ulva sp. with the aim of developing innovative food products, increasing the concentration of nutrients in these cheeses and familiarizing consumers with seaweed-containing foods. The impact of seaweed addition was evaluated through physicochemical, microbiological, and organoleptic properties of the semi-hard goat cheeses. Carbohydrate content was relatively low, whereas the total lipid content was relatively high (particularly in semi-hard goat cheese supplemented with seaweeds). Crude protein content presented higher values in semi-hard goat cheese supplemented with Ulva sp. The semi-hard goat cheese supplemented with Ulva sp. shows increased levels of Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Instrumental color and the textural parameters of semi-hard goat’s cheese varied significantly with seaweed addition. Most of the microbiological load complies with the Portuguese (INSA) and the United Kingdom’s (HPA) guidelines for assessing the microbiological safety of ready-to-eat foods placed on the market. Additionally, the Flash Profile scores of semi-hard goat cheeses supplemented with seaweeds highlighted aroma and flavor complexity. Overall, this study confirms the potential of using seaweeds as a viable alternative to produce semi-hard goat cheeses with less pungency or goat milk flavor, making this product more pleasant and appealing to consumers sensitive to these sensory characteristics.
Toxicopathology and expression of a CYP1-like gene in gills and digestive gland of wild Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from sites with different contamination … JD Vitorino, AP Rodrigo, M Loureiro, MS Diniz, PM Costa Marine Pollution Bulletin 230, 119856 , 2026 2026
Do not despise the little ones: population-level responses of common gobies to seasonality along latitudinal cline show biased vulnerability of southern populations C Madeira, M Missionário, D Madeira, C António, AM Rodrigues, ... Marine Environmental Research 217, 107927 , 2026 2026
Evidence of Endocrine Disruption and Oxidative Stress in Mytilus galloprovincialis Exposed to 17α-Ethinylestradiol S Copeto, IJ Ferreira, C Mansilha, A Melo, C Motta, M Silva, M Diniz Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 14 (9), 829 , 2026 2026
Low oxidative stress of cephalopod early life stages under chronic and intermittent hypoxia M Court, M Macau, T Marquês, T Repolho, M Diniz, VM Lopes, R Rosa, ... Marine Biology 173 (2), 37 , 2026 2026
Laminaria ochroleuca as a natural remediator of copper-based antifouling agents in aquaculture systems R Cereja, A Pereira, AC Brito, C Pires, M Diniz, I Ferreira, M Mil-Homens, ... Marine Pollution Bulletin 223, 119023 , 2026 2026
Interactive Effects of Laminaria digitata Supplementation and Heatwave Events on Farmed Gilthead Seabream Antioxidant Status, Digestive Activity, and Lipid … RVC Gomes, I Marmelo, T Chainho, A Pereira, D Bolotas, M Barata, ... Environments 13 (1), 25 , 2026 2026 Citations: 2
Screening pollution biomarkers and burrowing population profiles in an infaunal key species from port estuarine areas: What does deeper sediment say? M Díaz-Jaramillo, ML Ballesteros, G Chiang, CN Pegoraro, M Diniz Marine Pollution Bulletin 222, 118773 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Transcriptomic response of Mytilus galloprovincialis to emerging contaminants: Data analysis workflow S Copeto, I Ferreira, S Duarte, L Vieira, J Ferrão, M Silva, M Diniz, C Motta 2025
3.1 Transcriptomic analysis of the mussel Mytilus gallo-provincialis exposed to environmental contaminants S Copeto, IJ Ferreira, S Duarte, L Vieira, J Ferrão, M Silva, M Diniz, ... From Biomarkers to Transcriptomics: Assessing the Impact of PFOA, TBBPA, and … , 2025 2025
2.3 Oxidative stress biomarker responses to 17α-ethi-nylestradiol (EE2) exposure in the mussel Mytilus gal S Copeto, IJ Ferreira, C Mansilha, A Melo, C Motta, M Silva, M Diniz From Biomarkers to Transcriptomics: Assessing the Impact of PFOA, TBBPA, and … , 2025 2025
Napyradiomycin-based coatings: Promising eco-friendly, sustainable and circular solutions for effective marine antibiofouling I Pereira, H Macedo, I Ferreira, B Gonçalves, S Piçarra, RG Sobral, ... Environmental Technology & Innovation 39, 104248 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Development of Innovative Mediterranean-Style Semi-Hard Goat’s Cheese Supplemented with Seaweeds ( Palmaria palmata and Ulva sp.) and Its Characterization BM Campos, BS Moreira-Leite, A Salgado, E Ramalho, I Marmelo, ... Applied Sciences 15 (15), 8232 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Amphipods responses to ocean warming: sex-specific thermal tolerance, reproductive output and metabolomic profiles in males and females JF Fernandes, L Feugère, L Marques, R Calado, MS Diniz, P Calosi, ... Research summit 2025-Book of abstracts, 127 , 2025 2025
Asparagopsis taxiformis Feed Supplementation as a Tool to Improve the Resilience of Farmed Diplodus sargus to Marine Heatwave Events—A Metabolomics … M Dias, I Marmelo, C António, AM Rodrigues, A Marques, MS Diniz, ... Fishes 10 (7), 350 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream ( Sparus aurata ) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation A Pereira, I Marmelo, T Chainho, D Bolotas, M Dias, R Cereja, M Barata, ... Animals 15 (13), 1970 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Laminaria digitata Supplementation as a Climate-Smart Strategy to Counteract the Interactive Effects of Marine Heatwaves and Disease Outbreaks in Farmed Gilthead … I Marmelo, T Chainho, D Bolotas, A Pereira, B Özkan, C Marques, ... Environments 12 (7), 226 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Molecular landscape of therapeutic deep eutectic systems selective toxicity towards colorectal cancer F Oliveira, J Pinto, F Amaro, J Pereira, I Ferreira, MS Diniz, PG de Pinho, ... Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 45, 102037 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
What Type of Compounds are Expected in Halophyte Plants? Do They Have Potential Benefits for Human Consumption? IJ Ferreira, ARC Duarte, M Diniz, R Salgado International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, 145-153 , 2025 2025
Isolation, Fixation and Characterization of Juvenile Gilthead Seabream Head Kidney Leukocytes by Flow Cytometry I Marmelo, Z Silva, D Bolotas, RN Alves, PA Videira, A Marques, MS Diniz, ... JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), e67978 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Antioxidant enzymes activities in Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol (ee2): potential implications for human health S Copeto, IJ Ferreira, C Motta, M Silva, M Diniz 2025
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Influence of temperature in thermal and oxidative stress responses in estuarine fish D Madeira, L Narciso, HN Cabral, C Vinagre, MS Diniz Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative … , 2013 2013 Citations: 461
Effect of temperature on oxidative stress in fish: Lipid peroxidation and catalase activity in the muscle of juvenile seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax C Vinagre, D Madeira, L Narciso, HN Cabral, M Diniz Ecological indicators 23, 274-279 , 2012 2012 Citations: 400
Vulnerability to climate warming and acclimation capacity of tropical and temperate coastal organisms C Vinagre, I Leal, V Mendonça, D Madeira, L Narciso, MS Diniz, ... Ecological indicators 62, 317-327 , 2016 2016 Citations: 226
Histological biomarkers in liver and gills of juvenile Solea senegalensis exposed to contaminated estuarine sediments: A weighted indices approach PM Costa, MS Diniz, S Caeiro, J Lobo, M Martins, AM Ferreira, M Caetano, ... Aquatic toxicology 92 (3), 202-212 , 2009 2009 Citations: 224
Ecotoxicity of ketoprofen, diclofenac, atenolol and their photolysis byproducts in zebrafish (Danio rerio) MS Diniz, R Salgado, VJ Pereira, G Carvalho, A Oehmen, MAM Reis, ... Science of the Total Environment 505, 282-289 , 2015 2015 Citations: 174
Are fish in hot water? Effects of warming on oxidative stress metabolism in the commercial species Sparus aurata D Madeira, C Vinagre, MS Diniz Ecological Indicators 63, 324-331 , 2016 2016 Citations: 168
Ocean warming enhances malformations, premature hatching, metabolic suppression and oxidative stress in the early life stages of a keystone squid R Rosa, MS Pimentel, J Boavida-Portugal, T Teixeira, K Truebenbach, ... PLoS One 7 (6), e38282 , 2012 2012 Citations: 138
Oxidative stress and digestive enzyme activity of flatfish larvae in a changing ocean MS Pimentel, F Faleiro, M Diniz, J Machado, P Pousão-Ferreira, MA Peck, ... PLoS One 10 (7), e0134082 , 2015 2015 Citations: 137
Overview on modern approaches to speed up protein identification workflows relying on enzymatic cleavage and mass spectrometry-based techniques JL Capelo, R Carreira, M Diniz, L Fernandes, M Galesio, C Lodeiro, ... Analytica chimica acta 650 (2), 151-159 , 2009 2009 Citations: 135
Gold-nanobeacons for gene therapy: evaluation of genotoxicity, cell toxicity and proteome profiling analysis J Conde, M Larguinho, A Cordeiro, LR Raposo, PM Costa, S Santos, ... Nanotoxicology 8 (5), 521-532 , 2014 2014 Citations: 134
Oxidative stress and histological changes following exposure to diamond nanoparticles in the freshwater Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) A Cid, A Picado, JB Correia, R Chaves, H Silva, J Caldeira, APA de Matos, ... Journal of hazardous materials 284, 27-34 , 2015 2015 Citations: 118
Effect of increasing temperature in the differential activity of oxidative stress biomarkers in various tissues of the Rock goby, Gobius paganellus C Vinagre, D Madeira, V Mendonça, M Dias, J Roma, MS Diniz Marine environmental research 97, 10-14 , 2014 2014 Citations: 111
Biological treatment of the effluent from a bleached kraft pulp mill using basidiomycete and zygomycete fungi AC Freitas, F Ferreira, AM Costa, R Pereira, SC Antunes, F Gonçalves, ... Science of the total environment 407 (10), 3282-3289 , 2009 2009 Citations: 109
Ecophysiological responses of juvenile seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to warming and dietary methylmercury AL Maulvault, V Barbosa, R Alves, A Custódio, P Anacleto, T Repolho, ... Science of the Total Environment 586, 551-558 , 2017 2017 Citations: 102
Single and combined effects of aluminum (Al 2 O 3 ) and zinc (ZnO) oxide nanoparticles in a freshwater fish, Carassius auratus M Benavides, J Fernández-Lodeiro, P Coelho, C Lodeiro, MS Diniz Environmental science and pollution research 23 (24), 24578-24591 , 2016 2016 Citations: 102
Developmental and physiological challenges of octopus ( Octopus vulgaris ) early life stages under ocean warming T Repolho, M Baptista, MS Pimentel, G Dionísio, K Trübenbach, ... Journal of Comparative Physiology B 184 (1), 55-64 , 2014 2014 Citations: 102
Umami taste in edible seaweeds: The current comprehension and perception J Milinovic, P Mata, M Diniz, JP Noronha International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science 23, 100301 , 2021 2021 Citations: 101
Bioaccumulation and elimination of mercury in juvenile seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in a warmer environment AL Maulvault, A Custodio, P Anacleto, T Repolho, P Pousão, ML Nunes, ... Environmental Research 149, 77-85 , 2016 2016 Citations: 93
Estrogenic effects in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) exposed to treated sewage effluent MS Diniz, I Peres, I Magalhaes-Antoine, J Falla, JC Pihan Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 62 (3), 427-435 , 2005 2005 Citations: 91
Neuro-oxidative damage and aerobic potential loss of sharks under elevated CO 2 and warming R Rosa, J Ricardo Paula, E Sampaio, M Pimentel, AR Lopes, M Baptista, ... Marine Biology 163 (5), 119 , 2016 2016 Citations: 90