Hormetic Neurobehavioral effects of low dose toxic chemical mixtures in real-life risk simulation (RLRS) in rats.

The current study aims to assess the long-term effects of very low dose exposures to a complex chemical mixture on motor performance and behavioural changes in rats. For twelve months (equivalent to thirty years in human terms), four groups of Sprague Dawley rats (five males and five females per group) were exposed to a thirteen chemical mixture (in drinking water) in doses of 0, 0.25, 1 and 5xADI/TDI (acceptable daily intake/tolerable daily intake) (mg/kg body weight/day). After twelve month exposure, the rats' motor performances were assessed by rotarod test, and their behavioural changes were assessed by open field exploratory test and elevated plus maze test. Exposure to the chemical mixture resulted in a statistically significant increase in the locomotor activity quantified by the number of crossings over external squares and in the spatial orientation activity quantified as the number of rearings in the lower dose group (0.25xADI/TDI) compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the two higher dose groups (1xADI/TDI, 5xADI/TDI) compared with the control group. The administration of a very low doses of a cocktail of 13 chemicals led to a dose-dependent stimulation of the nervous system, rather than its inhibition.

Ractopamina na dieta da carpa húngara (Cyprnus carpio) criada em tanques-rede / Ractopamin in the diet of Hungarian Carp reared in net cages

Avaliou-se a utilização da ractopamina como promotor de crescimento para carpa húngara em experimento com 56 dias de duração, realizado em 12 tanques-rede de pequeno volume, utilizando-se 360 peixes com peso inicial de 18,64±1,25g. Foram testadas três quantidades de ractopamina, 7, 14 e 21ppm/kg, mais a dieta controle. Avaliaram-se o peso médio, o comprimento total, a altura, a taxa de crescimento específico e o fator de condição. Foram também analisadas a composição corporal, a deposição tecidual e a glicose plasmática dos peixes. Não foi observado efeito significativo da adição de ractopamina sobre as características de desempenho. Observou-se maior concentração de glicose, 61,67mg/dL, nos peixes alimentados sem a adição de ractopamina na dieta. A adição de ractopamina na dieta proporcionou maior quantidade de gordura corporal nos peixes e não afetou a quantidade de proteína. Conclui-se que a adição de ractopamina na dieta não é eficiente para juvenis de carpa húngara.

The use of ractopamine as a growth promoter for hungarian carp was evaluated in an experiment with a duration of 56 days, accomplished in 12 net cages of lower volume using 360 fish with initial weight of 18.64±1.25g. Three amounts of ractopamine, 7, 14 and 21ppm/kg, plus control diet were tested. The mean weight, total length, height, specific growth rate and condition factor were evaluated. Body composition, tissue deposition and fish plasmatic glucose were also analyzed. No significant effect of ractopamine addition was observed on the characteristics evaluated. A higher glucose concentration of 61.67mg/dL was observed in fish fed without the addition of ractopamine to the diet. The ractopamine inclusion in diets promotes higher body fat levels in fish and does not affect the amount of protein. The conclusion is that the addition of ractopamine in the diet is not efficient for hungarian carp juveniles.