Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Nano-Formulation on Growth, Antioxidant Potential, Fillet Quality, Immunity, Autophagy-Related Genes and Aeromonas hydrophila Resistance in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

In modern aquaculture, enriching Nile tilapia's diet with omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) not only plays an important role in its general health but also fortifies its fillet with omega-3-PUFAs. However, the major challenge affecting their delivery is their high instability due to oxidative deterioration. Thus, the prospective incorporation of omega-3-PUFAs into nanocarriers can enhance their stability and bioactivity. In this regard, the effect of reformulated omega-3-NPs was investigated on Nile tilapia's performance, flesh antioxidant stability, immunity, and disease resistance. Four fish groups supplemented with omega-3-PUFAs-loaded nanoparticles (omega-3 NPs) at levels of 0, 1, 2, and 3 g/kg diet and at the end of feeding trial fish challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish performance (weight gain and feed conversion) was improved in groups supplemented with omega-3-NPs (2 and 3 g/kg diet). The deposition of omega-3-PUFAs in fish flesh elevated with increasing dietary omega-3-NPs. Simultaneously the oxidative markers (H2O2, MDA, and reactive oxygen species) in fish flesh were reduced, especially with higher omega-3-NPs. Post-challenge, downregulation of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and caspase-1 were noticed after dietary supplementation of omega-3-NPs. Moreover, mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes was upregulated while the mTOR gene was downregulated with higher omega-3 NPs levels. Lower expression of A. hydrophila ahyI and ahyR genes were detected with omega-3 NPs supplementation. In conclusion, omega-3-NPs application can fortify tilapia flesh with omega-3-PUFAs and augment its performance, immunity, and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila.

Occurrence and D-Tryptophan Application for Controlling the Growth of Multidrug-Resistant Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Dairy Products.

The objectives of the current study were first to determine the prevalence of non O157:H7E. coli, especially Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in retailed milk and dairy products in Egypt. Second, the antimicrobial resistance profiling and virulence genes of the isolated E. coli strains were screened. Third, evaluation of the inhibitory effects of D-tryptophan against E. coli O26:H11 was further performed. The results revealed that 20% (30/150) of the samples were STEC positive, with 64 isolates harboring some virulent genes, such as Stx1, Stx2, eaeA, and hylA. Serological identification revealed four different pathotypes belonging to EPEC, ETEC, EHEC, and EIEC. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 100%, 98.44%, 92.19%, 71.87%, 65.63% and 64.06% of the isolates had a resistance against tetracycline, oxacillin, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, sulphamethoxazol, and ampicillin, respectively. D-tryptophan addition (40 mM) to E. coli O26:H11-inoculated soft cheese and ice cream revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in bacterial growth, especially when accompanied with other food stressors. D-Tryptophan is considered as an effective food preservative and as a promising alternative candidate in the dairy industry.

Black Pepper or Radish Seed Oils in a New Combination of Essential Oils Modulated Broiler Chickens' Performance and Expression of Digestive Enzymes, Lipogenesis, Immunity, and Autophagy-Related Genes.

Optimal combinations of essential oils (EOs) can enhance performance and maintain poultry productivity. The effects of EOs with black pepper oil (BPO) or radish seed oil (RSO) on performance and the expression of digestive enzymes, lipogenesis, immunity, and autophagy-related genes in broiler chickens were explored. Six dietary treatments for 300 one-day-old chicks were allocated as follows: controls were fed a basal diet, one group was fed an EO-supplemented diet (1.5 g/kg diet of parsley, mint, and carrot seed oils (1:1:1)), and other groups received Eos + BPO0.25, Eos + BPO0.5, Eos + RSO0.25, and Eos + RSO0.5 treatments, with a basal diet containing EOs plus BPO or RSO at the level of 0.25 or 0.5 g/kg, respectively. Supplementation with 0.5 g/kg of EOs plus BPO or RSO resulted in the most improved maximum BWG and FCR in broiler chickens. The lactobacilli population was increased in Eos + BPO0.5, followed by EOs + RSO0.5, unlike in the control. The highest expression of the CCK and PNLIP genes was identified in the Eos + BPO group. The FAS and ACC genes were upregulated, while the IgA and IL-10 genes were downregulated, with EOs plus RSO or BPO. The group that received Eos + BPO0.5, followed by Eos + RSO0.5, displayed patterns of higher expression for atg5, atg7, and atg12, with lower expression of mTOR. In summary, a new combination of EOs with 0.5 g/kg BPO had potential growth-promoting and immune-boosting effects in broiler chickens.

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect of Juniperus procera extract on rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Juniperus procera, a coniferous tree in the cypress family, is one of the famous medicinal plants traditionally used in the southern area of the Arabian peninsula. This study examined the anti-hyperglycemic action of Juniperus procera extract (JPE) on diabetic rats. Sixty male rats were divided into 6 equal groups: control, control treated with JPE (200 mg/kg), diabetic, diabetic treated with insulin (1 U/kg), diabetic treated with JPE (200 mg/kg), and diabetic treated with both insulin and JPE. Blood and tissue samples were collected for serum chemistry, gene expression, and immunohistochemistry analyses, the results of which revealed hyperglycemia and inflammation following diabetes induction. Administration of JPE alone or with insulin reduced the hyperglycemia reported in diabetic rats by 25 %. The immunohistochemical examination of pancreatic tissues demonstrated a moderate restoration of insulin and NF-κB expression in pancreatic and hepatic tissues. Significant recovery was observed for glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA expression in the livers of rats treated with JPE. Administration of JPE led to similar amelioration of the mRNA expression of pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK) in the livers of diabetic rats. In addition, diabetic rats treated with insulin, JPE, or a combination of these agents demonstrated an improvement in the mRNA expression of IRS-1 and IRS-2 in hepatic and pancreatic tissues, reaching levels approaching normal. Our findings led us to conclude that JPE has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect accompanied by a moderate hypoglycemic effect that occurs via different mechanisms.