Role of dietary Spirulina platensis and betaine supplementation on growth, hematological, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, immune responses, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia.

Spirulina platensis is, a freshwater microalga, broadly used worldwide. It not only stimulates the immune systems of aquatic organisms but also provides a protein-rich diet and commonly used in the manufacture of aquafeeds. This study was planned to evaluate the growth performance, hepato-renal, and immune response biomarkers of Spirulina and Betaine on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and their protective effect against infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. O. niloticus juveniles (20.22 ± 0.86 g) were divided into four groups (n = 10 per replicate). For 8 weeks, the first and second groups (TS&TB) were fed with 0.5% and 0.3% concentrations of Spirulina and Betaine supplemented diets, respectively; the third group (TSB) was fed with a Spirulina and Betaine mixed diet; the fourth group was fed with a basal diet (without supplementation, T0), which served as control. Dietary inclusion of Spirulina and Betaine significantly improved (P ˂ 0.05) the weight gain, final weight, and food conversion ratio, especially in the TS group. The activities of hepatic malonaldehyde were unchanged in TS & TSB groups and the muscular significantly decreased (P ˂ 0.05) in the same groups, while both increased in the TB group; meanwhile, levels of glutathione reductase were significantly upregulated in all treated groups. Serum interleukins, TNF- alpha, and IL-10 levels were also significantly reduced in all treatment groups. A significant protective power against pathogenic Aeromonas infection was evidenced in all treated groups. Findings in this study highlight the reputation of Spirulina and Betaine as immunostimulants and protective agents against A. hydrophila infection in O. niloticus.

Effect of poultry offal silage with or without betaine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphometry, spleen histomorphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings.

Fishmeal (FM) is the main protein source in fish feed. However, it is quite expensive due to its limited resources. Therefore, finding a dietary alternative to the FM to sustain fish production is crucial, and the current study was performed to assess the impact of poultry offal silage (POS) with or without betaine supplementation; as an effective and cheaper alternative to FM; on feed efficiency, growth performance, spleen morphology and intestinal morphometry of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Four dietary treatments were formulated: (1) FM based diet, (2) FM-B; FM diet +0.7% betaine, (3) POS diet and (4) POS-B; POS diet +0.7% betaine. Each dietary treatment consisted of three replicates (n = 10/replicate), and the experiment was continued for 16 weeks. By the end of the experiment, spleen and intestine specimens were collected from 15 fish (n = 5/replicate) for histopathological assessment. The results were statistically analysed using GLM procedures of SAS 9.4. Feed efficiency increased in both POS-B and FM-B groups (p = 0.01), while body weight and body weight gain showed only weak tendencies towards an increase (p = 0.10 and 0.12, respectively). The villi length was the highest in POS-B fed group (p < 0.01). In addition, melanomacrophage centres of the spleen increased in both betaine-supplemented groups (p < 0.01). From our findings, we conclude that betaine supplementation with poultry offal silage improved production performance and immune status of Nile tilapia fish.

Influence of genistein and diadizine on regularity of estrous cycle in cyclic female Wistar rat: interaction with estradiol receptors and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Background: Isoflavones are estrogenic compounds that exist in soy, clover, and peanuts. They are selective estrogen receptor modulators. Aim: The study was planned to explain the interactions of isoflavones with estrogen receptors alpha (ERα), beta (ERß), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions in ovarian and uterine tissues during different stages of the estrous cycle of regular cyclic female Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-two regular cyclic females were divided equally into control group: fed casein-based diet and isoflavones group: fed casein-based diet and gavaged 50 mg/kg/day soy isoflavones extract 40%. The regularity of estrus cycles was monitored. Final body weight (FBW), weight gain (BWG), and ovarian and uterine weights were estimated. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry for ERα, Erß, and VEGF in ovarian and uterine tissues were performed. Results: All females (100%, n = 16) in control group showed regularity in estrous cycle compared to 62.5% (n = 10) in isoflavones group. Estrus and diestrus phases revealed prolongation and shortening in isoflavones rats than control, respectively. Nonsignificant variation was noted in the duration of the whole cycle of both groups. FBW and BWG significantly decreased however, ovarian and uterine weights increased significantly in all estrous phases of isoflavones group than control. Histopathology demonstrated an increase in number of follicles/ovaries besides, hyperplasia and proliferation of luminal epithelium with hydropic degeneration in the isoflavones group. Also, uterine connective tissue stroma showed edema in the isoflavones group during all estrous phases. Immunostaining percentages of ERα, Erß, and VEGF protein expression were significantly elevated in the isoflavones group during all estrous phases. Conclusion: Isoflavones induced irregularity of the estrous cycle that was encountered by increased and altered ERα, Erß, and VEGF expressions in ovarian and uterine tissues.

Protective effect of Beta vulgaris roots supplementation on anemic phenylhydrazine-intoxicated rats.

Anemia is a public health problem that affects many people worldwide. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a plant supposed to have many healthy features. The present study was done to evaluate the anti-anemic effect of beetroot supplement on anemia induced by phenylhydrazine in albino rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. The control group was kept normal rats. In the second group, anemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine at 60 mg/kg in 3 divided doses daily, for 3 consecutive days. The last three groups received phenylhydrazine as the anemic group. Then, the third group received beetroot extract in dose 200 mg/kg for 24 days. The fourth group received beetroot powder in dose 1000 mg/kg for 24 days. The last group received iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose complex in dose 5mg/kg for 24 days. Our results showed that hemolytic anemia induced by phenylhydrazine in rats caused alteration in the blood picture, iron indices, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, and histopathological picture. However, the supplementation with beetroot ameliorated these alterations, especially beetroot powder which showed powerful health effects compared to beetroot extract and iron preparation.

The utility of electrocardiography and echocardiography in copper deficiency-induced cardiac damage in goats.

Copper deficiency (CuD) is a common mineral disorder in ruminants, which causes histomorphological changes in the heart due to disturbances in copper-dependent metalloenzymes. However, alterations in the measurable cardiac parameters during CuD have not been studied in ruminants, especially in goats. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate longitudinally the potential role of electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography to detect the CuD-induced cardiac damage at different time intervals and concomitantly highlighting the impact of CuD on specific hemato-biochemical parameters and histological cardiac disruption in goats. Eight Shiba goats were included and divided into two equal groups; copper adequate (CuA) as a control and copper-deficient (CuD) that supplemented with copper-chelating agents (sulfur 3 g/kg DM and molybdenum 40 mg/kg DM). The hemato-biochemical analysis, ECG assessment at the base apex lead, and right-side echocardiography were performed just before the experimental onset (T0), and later on at two-time intervals after existing of CuD, at the fifth (T5) and seventh (T7) months. Necropsy and histopathological examination of the heart were performed at the end of the experiment. In the CuD group, the heart dimensions at T5 and T7 showed significant increase in QRS duration, ST-segment duration, the left atrial area in systole, left ventricular diameter and volume in diastole, stroke volume, and cardiac output compared with CuA (P < 0.05). Also, myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and fibrosis were evidenced with a concurrent increase of plasma creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cardiac troponin I (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CuD disturbs hemato-biochemical parameters and results in myocardial damage and cardiac dilatation that increases some ECG and echocardiographic parameters without development of systolic dysfunction. The ECG and echocardiography can potentially detect cardiac changes in long-lasting CuD in goats.

Impact of garlic (Allium sativum) oil on cisplatin-induced hepatorenal biochemical and histopathological alterations in rats.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum II [CDDP]) is a chemotherapeutic agent used for treating different cancers types. However, its usage is limited because it induces harmful toxicities in multiple organs, including nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Garlic oil (GO) has several pharmacological activities, including antioxidant activity. The aim of the study is to evaluate the protective and antioxidant effects of GO against CDDP-induced acute liver and kidney injuries in male rats. CDDP-treated rats showed increased serum ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, uric acid, urea, creatinine, and IL-6 levels. Moreover, CDDP-treated rats showed significantly increased MDA and NO levels and decreased GSH level and T.SOD and CAT activities in hepatic and renal tissues compared with control rats. GO administration, especially at a dose of 100 ml/kg, alleviated CDDP-induced adverse biochemical and histopathological alterations and restored them to their normal values. These results suggest that GO reverses CDDP-induced hepatorenal damage by exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Pregabalin affords retinal neuroprotection in diabetic rats: Suppression of retinal glutamate, microglia cell expression and apoptotic cell death.

Pregabalin is the first drug to receive FDA approval for treating diabetic neuropathic pain. This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of pregabalin in an experimental model of diabetic retinopathy and tested some possible mechanisms underlying the putative neuroprotective effect. Male Wistar rats received streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) to induce type 1 diabetes mellitus. After two weeks, a course of pregabalin (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) has been launched for five consecutive weeks. Retinal expression of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was estimated by real-time PCR and retinal glutamate content was also estimated. Further, retinal caspase-3 immunoblotting and DNA fragmentation assays determined the degree of apoptosis. Pregabalin improved histopathological abnormalities in diabetic retinas and suppressed the diabetes-enhanced retinal expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α, CD11b (a surface marker for microglia) while attenuated expression of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation versus the diabetic group. In addition, diabetic rats treated with pregabalin displayed reductions in retinal glutamate, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhanced reduced glutathione (GSH) content versus the diabetic controls. Furthermore, pregabalin enhanced the histopathological picture and reduced fibrosis in the optic nerve of diabetic rats in addition to suppression of the content of the glia fibrillary acidic protein. The findings provide the first evidence demonstrating that pregabalin alleviates retinal neuroinflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in an experimental type 1 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, pregabalin might serve as a potential therapy for retinopathy after adequate clinical research.

Hepatorenal protective effects of taurine and N-acetylcysteine against fipronil-induced injuries: The antioxidant status and apoptotic markers expression in rats.

Fipronil (FPN), a commonly used phenylpyrazole pesticide can induce oxidative tissue damage following hazard usage. Due to the extensive household and commercial usage of FPN, its toxic effects on mammals received considerable attention. Finding the proper antioxidant that can overcome FPN-induced damage is essential. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the hepatorenal ameliorative outcomes of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and taurine (TAU) against hepatorenal damage induced by FPN in male Wistar rats. Compared to control rats, oral FPN (at a dose of 19.4 mg kg-1 BW for five successive days) significantly increased serum activities (p ≤ 0.05) of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and transaminases, in addition to total cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels. Moreover, FPN provoked oxidative damage indicated by increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation and decreased glutathione concentration and activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) in the hepatic and renal tissues. Furthermore, FPN administration induced overexpression of the proapoptotic (Bax), while it downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) protein. Interestingly, oral administration of TAU (50 mg Kg-1 BW) and NAC (50 mg Kg-1 BW), alone or in combination, five days prior to and five days along with FPN administration, significantly ameliorated (p ≤ 0.05) and normalized the harmful effects of FPN on serum biomarkers of hepatorenal injury, lipid peroxidation and tissue antioxidants. In conclusion, TAU and NAC, alone or in combination, provided significant hepatorenal protection against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by FPN.

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation improves growth performance, feed utilization, immune response, and relieves oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) challenged with Pseudomonas fluorescens.

One hundred and eighty Nile tilapia fish were used in eighty-three-day growth trial. Fish were divided into three treatment groups. The first group T0 was given the basal diet without any supplementation and served as the control group. The second group T1 was given the basal diet supplemented by 1% Spirulina. The third group T2 was given the basal diet supplemented by 2% Spirulina. At the end of the growth performance trial, a challenge trial was conducted using virulent strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Clinical signs, mortalities, postmortem lesions and histopathological alterations were recorded. Hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress and immunological parameters were measured after challenge with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Growth performance was non significantly improved in tilapia fed the diet with 1% Spirulina supplementation (T1). There were neither signs nor mortalities among fishes belonging to 1% Spirulina challenged group. The results showed that Spirulina has a positive effect on hematological, biochemical parameters, MDA, SOD and CAT at T1 (1% spirulia) rather than T2 (2%spirulia). Moreover, the results indicate that Spirulina 1% enhanced bactericidal, phagocytic and lysozyme activities conferring protection against infection. Our results demonstrated a significant up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and a down-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). We concluded that 1% Spirulina supplementation significantly improved immunity of Nile tilapia against Pseudomonas fluorescence than 2% Spirulina supplementation.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Photobacterium damselae among some marine fishes in Lake Temsah.

Photobacterium damselae species are one of the most devastating bacterial pathogens in mariculture worldwide. Some species of Photobacterium are pathogenic for marine animals and human. They are the causative agents of photobacteriosis, formerly known as pasteurellosis. A total of (202) marine fishes of three different species were represented as: seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), seabream (Sparus aurata) and gray mullet (Mugil capitus) randomly collected from Lake Temsah at Ismailia governorate along the parallel Pelagic road to the lake in the governorate from August 2015 to July 2016. The clinical picture and gross lesions of the diseased fishes were recorded. Isolation and identification of suspected bacteria using traditional and molecular methods. Samples from affected organs were collected for studying the histopathological alterations of these pathogens. Fifty one fishes were found to be infected with Photobacterium damselae subsp. Piscicida. Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was the most infected fish species (23), followed by seabream (Sparus aurata) (18) finally gray mullet (Mugil capitus) was (10). 91fishes were found to be infected with P. damselae subsp. damselae, seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was the most infected fish sp. (36), followed by seabream (Sparus aurata) (32), then gray mullet (Mugil capitus) (23). The results indicated that, the total prevalence of P. damselae subsp. piscicida in all examined species (25.24%), the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer season (37.09%) followed by autumn (26%) then spring (20.37%) and winter (11.11%). On the other hand, the total prevalence of P. damselae subsp. damselae in all examined species (45.04%), the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer season (67.74%) followed by autumn (52%) then spring (29.62%) and winter (19.44%). Molecular diagnosis with conventional PCR used to confirm the traditional isolation was applied by using specific primers of two genes (polycapsular saccharide gene and urease C gene). The histopathological studies of naturally infected marine fishes showed severe inflammatory reactions in different organs with accumulation of melanomacrophages and necrosis. The results confirm that P. damselae subspecies damsalea is the most prevalent pathogen between marine fishes, and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was the highly affected marine fishes in this study.

Honey feeding protects kidney against cisplatin nephrotoxicity through suppression of inflammation.

Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic drug used to treat a wide variety of solid tumors. However, its use was limited due its dose-limiting toxicity to the kidney. Currently, there are no therapies available to treat or prevent cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Honey is a naturally occurring complex liquid and widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat many illnesses. However, its effect on cisplatin nephrotoxicity is unknown. To determine the role of honey in cisplatin nephrotoxicity, animals were pretreated orally for a week and then cisplatin was administered. Honey feeding was continued for another 3 days. Our results show that animals with cisplatin-induced kidney dysfunction, as determined by increased serum creatinine, which received honey feeding had less kidney dysfunction. Improved kidney function was associated with better preservation of kidney morphology in honey-treated group as compared to the cisplatin alone-treated group. Interestingly, honey feeding significantly reduced cisplatin-induced tubular epithelial cell death, immune infiltration into the kidney as well as cytokine and chemokine expression and excretion as compared to cisplatin treated animals. Western blot analysis shows that cisplatin-induced increase in phosphorylation of NFkB was completely suppressed with honey feeding. In conclusion, honey feeding protects the kidney against cisplatin nephrotoxicity through suppression of inflammation and NFkB activation.

Toxopathological and cytogenetic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on pregnant rats.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the toxopathological effects and macro-DNA damage of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in pregnant rats at a dose of 1mg/kg. body wt., given from 6th to 15th day of gestation. The effects and damage are represented by histopathological changes and different types of chromosomal aberrations in dams, in addition to teratogenic changes in the feti. Pregnant dams revealed a significant decrease in their body weights and gross enlargement of the liver. Histologically, the liver showed necrotic areas and congested central vein. The kidneys revealed interstitial hemorrhages, renal casts, degeneration and necrosis. The lungs revealed lymphocytic infiltrates in the interstitial tissue, while the spleen revealed lymphoid depletion. Chromosomal analysis revealed both structural and numerical chromosomal aberration, including centromeric attenuations, chromatid gaps, chromatid breaks, end-to-end associations, fragments, ring chromosomes, deletions, dicentric chromosomes, chromosomal fusions, centric fusions, stickness and hypoployploidy. Centromeric attenuations and end-to-end associations were more frequent than other chromosomal aberrations. Concerning the teratogenic effects in the fetuses, the toxin induced multiple skeletal anomalies. These anomalies included incomplete ossification of skull bones and failure of ossification of long and flat bones.

Prevalence of bacteria and parasites in White Ibis in Egypt.

A field survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial infections among free-living White Ibis (Nipponia nippon) in which 92 bacterial isolates were recovered from 193 different internal organs of 55 apparently healthy Ibis. Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were isolated at rates of 43.6% and 14.5%, respectively. The other bacterial pathogens isolated were Shigella spp. (34.5%), Enterobacter spp. (21.8%) Citrobacter spp. (18.1%), Klebsiella pneumonia (16.3), Staphylococcus aureus (10.9%) and Proteus mirabilis (7.2%). The antibiogram indicated that all isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, trimethoprim and penicillin. Penicillin was most effective against S. aureus. An examination of the gastrointestinal tract revealed the presence of a nematode, Ascaris (Porroceacum ensicaudatum), and three trematodes (Echinochasmus perfoliatus, Apatemon aracilis and Patagifer bilobus). Other trematodes were detected in enlarged gall bladder and kidney lesions. Histopathological examination showed signs of hepatitis. The gall bladder had cholangitis, cholicystitis which may have been caused by trematode infestation. The kidneys also showed multiple parasitic cysts of trematodes and non-suppurative interstitial nephritis. This study suggests the possible role of the White Ibis, when living near poultry populations, in transmitting certain pathogens to poultry.