In ovo protective effects of chicoric and rosmarinic acids against Thiacloprid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and growth retardation on newly hatched chicks.

Thiacloprid (TH) is a neonicotinoid insecticide employed in agriculture to protect fruits and vegetables against different insects. It showed different deleterious effects on the general health of non-target organisms including birds and animals, however, its developmental toxicity has yet to be fully elucidated. Chicoric (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids are polyphenolic compounds with a wide range of beneficial biological activities. In this study, the possible protective effects of CA and RA were investigated in chick embryos exposed in ovo to TH (1µg/egg) with or without CA (100 µg/egg) or RA (100 µg/egg) co-exposure. TH reduced the hatchling body weight, body weight/egg weight, and relative weight of bursa of Fabricius in the one-day-old hatchlings. Examination of the 7-day-old chicks revealed a decline in feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and plasma levels of T3, T4, and growth hormone. Serum ALT, AST activities, and total cholesterol levels showed significant elevations. Hepatic MDA was increased with a reduction in SOD activity and GSH level and downregulation of the liver SOD and GST gene expression pattern. Serum IgG and IgM levels were reduced, and various histopathological alterations were noticed in the liver. Co-administration of CA or RA with TH mitigated the toxic effects on hatchlings. When both CA and RA are combined, they present a synergistic protective effect. CA and RA can be used as protective agents against TH toxicity as they improve growth performance and have hepatoprotective and immunostimulant effects in newly hatched chicks.

Dunaliella salina Microalga Restores the Metabolic Equilibrium and Ameliorates the Hepatic Inflammatory Response Induced by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in Male Zebrafish.

Microalgae are rich in bioactive compounds including pigments, proteins, lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Due to their non-toxic and nutritious characteristics, these are suggested as important food for many aquatic animals. Dunaliella salina is a well-known microalga that accumulates valuable amounts of carotenoids. We investigated whether it could restore the metabolic equilibrium and mitigate the hepatic inflammation induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using male zebrafish which were exposed to 1/5th 96 h-LC50 for 4 weeks, followed by dietary supplementation with D. salina at two concentrations (15% and 30%) for 2 weeks. Collectively, ZnO-NPs affected fish appetite, whole body composition, hepatic glycogen and lipid contents, intestinal bacterial and Aeromonas counts, as well as hepatic tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α). In addition, the mRNA expression of genes related to gluconeogenesis (pck1, gys2, and g6pc3), lipogenesis (srepf1, acaca, fasn, and cd36), and inflammatory response (tnf-α, tnf-ß, nf-kb2) were modulated. D. salina reduced the body burden of zinc residues, restored the fish appetite and normal liver architecture, and mitigated the toxic impacts of ZnO-NPs on whole-body composition, intestinal bacteria, energy metabolism, and hepatic inflammatory markers. Our results revealed that the administration of D. salina might be effective in neutralizing the hepatotoxic effects of ZnO-NPs in the zebrafish model.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) Suppress Fertility by Activating Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in the Developing Oocytes of Female Zebrafish.

In vertebrates, the core mechanisms that control gametogenesis are largely multiple, complex, successive, and orchestrated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. However, age, health status, and hormonal activity are important factors for good fertility; other intangible intracellular molecular mechanisms that manage oocyte development are still unclear. The present study was designed to elucidate the ultrastructure changes in the ovary in response to its exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and to explore the role of autophagy and apoptosis during egg maturation and ovulation on the fertility of female zebrafish. In our study, ZnO-NPs could induce cytotoxicity in the maturing oocyte by activating autophagy and apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner and could induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that elevated the mutated ovarian tP53 protein. Simultaneously, necroptosis developed, mimicking the features of apoptosis and necrosis. Collectively, ZnO-NPs created a suitable necrotic environment that led to follicular developmental retardation that altered oocyte ovulation and reduced fecundity of female zebrafish.

Immunosuppressive Effects of Thallium Toxicity in Nile Tilapia Fingerlings: Elucidating the Rescue Role of Astragalus membranaceus Polysaccharides.

This study evaluated the immunotoxic effects of thallium (Tl) in Nile tilapia fingerlings and the recovery role of dietary Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides (ASs). An 8-week experiment was designed where 180 fishes were randomly and equally assigned in triplicates into the six groups: the control group (CNT) was reared in unpolluted water and fed a commercial diet, two groups were fed a well-balanced commercial diet plus 1.5 and 3.0 g AS/kg diet (AS0.15 and AS0.30), respectively, the fourth group was exposed to a sublethal dose of Tl (41.9 µg l-1) [equal to 1/10 of 96-h lethal concentration 50 (LC50)], and the last two groups were fed 0.15 and 0.3% AS, respectively, and concurrently exposed to Tl (41.9 µg l-1) (AS0.15+Tl and AS0.30+Tl). Fish hematobiochemical parameters, serum immunity [nitric oxide, total immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, and lysozyme activity], transcription of hepatic interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) were assessed. Hematobiochemical parameters and serum immune indices were significantly decreased in the fish group exposed to sublethal Tl concentration compared to the CNT group. Furthermore, Tl exposure significantly induced overexpression of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IFN-γ genes (4.22-, 5.45-, and 4.57-fold higher, respectively) compared to CNT values. Tl exposure also increased the cumulative mortality (%) in Nile tilapia challenged with A. hydrophila. Remarkably, the groups fed AS0.15+Tl and AS0.30+Tl significantly ameliorated all the aforementioned parameters, but did not reach CNT values. Our findings suggest the possible immunomodulating roles of dietary AS in recovering the immunotoxic effects of Tl in Nile tilapia. We can conclude that dietary AS would be useful for maintaining the immunity of Nile tilapia fingerlings.

The efficiency of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel ethanolic extract in attenuating the vancomycin-triggered liver and kidney tissues injury in rats.

This study evaluated the potential of Punica granatum peel ethanol extract (PPEE) in attenuating the liver and kidney tissue injury induced by vancomycin (VM) treatment in rats. Fifty rats were distributed equally into five groups: control group, PPEE-administered group (100 mg/kg BW/day for 2 weeks; orally), VM-treated group (443.6 mg/kg BW, every alternate day for 2 weeks; intraperitoneally), pre-treated group, and concomitant-treated group. The biochemical response and the histopathology of the hepatic and renal tissue of the treated animals were assessed. The results showed that VM treatment induced substantial hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, evidenced by a significant elevation in tissue injury and lipid oxidative (malondialdehyde) and inflammatory response (C-reactive protein) biomarkers, with lowered antioxidants and protein levels. Additionally, VM treatment induced various morphological, cytotoxic, vascular, and inflammatory perturbations as well as upregulation in the immune-expression of Caspase-3 and downregulation of BCL-2. Moreover, PPEE co-treatment was found to reduce the VM-induced toxicity by protecting the tissue against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative damage, and inflammation as well as hinder the apoptotic cell death by modulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Thus, we conclude that the PPEE administration showed more restoring efficacy when administered prior to VM medication.

Neurobehavioral, apoptotic, and DNA damaging effects of sub-chronic profenofos exposure on the brain tissue of Cyprinus carpio L.: Antagonistic role of Geranium essential oil.

Currently, the contamination of water with different insecticides like profenofos (PFF) is a critical concern in the aquatic ecosystem. There are limited studies available on the negative impacts of PFF on common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio L.). Therefore, the existing study was designed to investigate the effect of PFF exposure (1/10 of the 96 h-LC50) on the neurobehavior, growth performance, chemical composition, oxidative status, DNA damage, apoptotic status and histological indices of the brain and gill tissues. In addition, this study seeks to detect the ability of geranium essential oil (GEO) dietary supplementation to mitigate the negative impacts of PFF. Accordingly, a total of 120 healthy fish were divided into four groups: the control group, fed on basal diet only; the other groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg kg-1 GEO, basal diet and PFF in water (PFF group), and supplemented diet with GEO and PFF in water (GEO + PFF), respectively, for 60 days. The results showed that PFF significantly reduced fish growth performance, crude protein, and lipid contents. It caused several behavioral alterations including spiral movement, decreased activeness, and changes in feeding behavior. Moreover, PFF increased the DNA tail length, tail moment, and the level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Histologically, PFF induced a wide array of circulatory, inflammatory, regressive and progressive alterations in the brain and gill tissues. PFF significantly downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated caspase-3 immuno-expression in both organs. Further, it considerably depleted the antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. The GEO supplementation did not reach the respective control values but markedly improved most of the behavioral, physical, biochemical, oxidative, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers, altered by PFF exposure. It also protected the gill and brain tissues from the branchial and encephalopathic effects of PFF. These findings suggest that GEO dietary supplements could be advantageous for mitigating PFF negative impacts and presenting a promising feed additive for common carp in aquaculture.

Inflammatory and oxidative injury is induced in cardiac and pulmonary tissue following fipronil exposure in Japanese quail: mRNA expression of the genes encoding interleukin 6, nuclear factor kappa B, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

The phenylpyrazole insecticide, fipronil, isused for the eradication of insects in agriculture, which also exposes various non-target groups such as birds and animals. Our aim was to assess the cardiac and pulmonary consequences of sub-acute administration of fipronil (1∕5 LD50; 2.26 mg/kg) in the Japanese quail for fifteen days and to determine the tissue recovery over a period of 60 days. Fipronil exposure led to a significant decrease in the body weight of the treated birds. Its exposure also induced cardiac and pulmonary damage of varying degrees. Fipronil increased the lipid peroxide (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) contents as well as indices of tissue injury in the serum of exposed birds. Furthermore, it decreased the antioxidant indices in both the organs. Most of these changes gradually reversed and the histological changes, particularly of the heart, reversed completely by day-60 of recovery. Furthermore, alterations in the mRNA gene expressions of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were monitored by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In both the tissues, a significant up-regulation of the transcripts was recorded after fipronil administration, which was reversed during the recovery period in the heart tissue except for TNF-α, while the transcripts in the lung tissue declined non-significantly. This study showed that the exposure of Japanese quail to fipronil has a profound negative impact on heart and lung including oxidative injury and tissue inflammation. Fipronil can induce the activity of NF-κB inflammatory -signaling pathway that play a role in the associated tissue inflammation. Although most of the cardiac changes could be reversed after a recovery period of sixty days, the pulmonary changes did not reverse much.

Possible role of Arthrospira platensis in reversing oxidative stress-mediated liver damage in rats exposed to lead.

Environmental pollutants, particularly metallic elements, mobilized and released into the environment, eventually accumulate in the food chain and thus pose a serious threat to human and animal health. In the present study, the role of Arthrospira (Spirulina platensis; SP) as a protector against oxidative stress-mediated liver damage induced by an exposure to lead acetate (LA; as a metallic pollutant) was assessed. To achieve this aim, rats were orally administered with 300 mg/kg bw SP for 15 days, before and concurrently with an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg bw LA (6 injections throughout 15 days). As a result, co-administration of SP with LA reduced the amount of lead that accumulated in both blood and liver tissue of the exposed rats and minimized the increased levels of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA oxidative damage, and liver enzyme endpoints. In addition, because of SP administration, the levels of depleted biomarkers of antioxidant status and total antioxidant capacity in LA-exposed rats improved. Moreover, SP protected the liver tissue against the changes caused by LA exposure and also decreased the reactivity of HSP70 in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Collectively, our data suggest that SP has a potential use as a food supplement in the regions highly polluted with heavy metals such as lead.

Immunotoxicological, biochemical, and histopathological studies on Roundup and Stomp herbicides in Nile catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

AIM: The current study was directed to investigate the immunotoxic and oxidative stress effects of Roundup and Stomp herbicides and their combination on Nile catfish (Clarias gariepinus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out on 120 fish that randomly divided into four equal groups with three replicates: The first group kept as control, the second group exposed to 1/2 96 h lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of Roundup, the third group exposed to 1/2 96 h LC50 of Stomp, and the fourth one exposed to a combination of Roundup and Stomp at previously-mentioned doses. The experiment was terminated after 15 days; blood samples were obtained at 1(st), 8(th), and 15(th) days of treatment where the sera were separated for estimation of antioxidant enzymes. Meanwhile, at 15(th) day of exposure part of blood was collected from all groups with an anticoagulant for evaluation of phagocytic activity, then the fish were sacrificed, and specimens from the liver of all groups were obtained for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Our results indicated that both herbicides either individually or in combination elucidated significant decrease in phagocytic activity that was highly marked in group exposed to both herbicides. Furthermore, our data elicited an obvious elevation in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Meanwhile, the data depicted reduction in levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Histopathological investigation of liver proved the aforementioned results. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that either Roundup or Stomp alone cause significant deleterious effects on aquatic vertebrates. However, the use of their combination enhanced their toxic effects. Toxicity can end up in humans through the food chain.