Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway alleviates the toxic effects of cadmium acute exposure on Penaeus vannamei

Penaeus vannamei has been studied as a bioindicator for monitoring heavy metal pollution. Heavy metals exposure can lead to disease by disrupting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Cadmium (Cd), a common contaminant in aquatic environments, has been investigated for its toxic effects on P. vannamei. To date, the underlying mechanisms by which Cd exposure exerts adverse effects remain unclear. In this study, the relation between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and Cd acute exposure in P. vannamei were investigated from the aspects of Cd bioaccumulation, hepatopancreatic histology, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota, using P. vannamei exposed by Cd and injected by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activator (TWS119) and inhibitor (IWR1). The results showed that Cd exposure heightened GSK3β activity and transcription of gsk3β and axin, while simultaneously dampening β-catenin, pangolin, and c-myc expression, collectively revealing marked attenuation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling cascade. Consequently, Cd accumulated in shrimp muscle and the bioaccumulation factor rose after Cd exposure, which accumulated was further amplified when the Wnt/β-catenin pathway remained suppressed. TWS119 restoration reversed Cd-imposed signalling repression, curtailed reactive oxygen species, and alleviated hepatopancreatic injury, whereas IWR1 intensified these detrimental outcomes. Furthermore, Cd exposure significantly decreased the intestinal microbiota α-diversity (Sobs, Shannon, Simpson, pielou, and pd) of P. vannamei, while the simpson, pielou, and pd indices were elevated of P. vannamei by injecting TWS119. Otherwise, Cd exposure disturbing the endocrine system, while the modulating of Wnt/β-catenin pathway was associated with endocrine and metabolic disorders. The findings suggested that activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway can reverse the oxidative stress, Wnt/β-catenin pathway suppression, and disruption of intestinal microbiota caused by Cd exposure in P. vannamei.