Study on the hematological toxicity of Cyprinus carpio exposed to water-soluble fraction of crude oil and TiO2 nanoparticles in the dark and ultraviolet.

This study is addressing the potential toxicity concerns of crude oil in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with the novel use of TiO2-NP for enhancing photocatalytic degradation of WSF of crude oil prepared under UV light or darkness. Blood samples were taken, and the biochemical parameters were analyzed. The levels of ALT, AST and ALP were significantly higher in fish exposed to UV-treated WSF. However, they were significantly lower in the groups exposed to UV-treated TiO2-NPs and the combination of WSF and TiO2-NPs. The levels of total protein, triglycerides, albumin and cholesterol were significantly lower in treatments exposed to UV-treated and dark-conditioned WSF compared to the control group, but they were significantly higher in fish exposed to UV-treated TiO2-NPs and the combination of WSF and TiO2-NPs compared to fish exposed under dark conditions and were not significantly different from the control group. The toxicity of UV-treated WSF was significantly higher than that of dark-conditioned WSF. The toxicity of TiO2-NPs was lower in the presence of UV and was similar to the control treatment. The results of the study suggests that photocatalytic TiO2-NPs and UV radiation reduce toxicity of the water-soluble fraction of crude oil on common carp.

Nutritional and ameliorative effects of dietary curcumin and its nano-silica and nano-zeolite encapsulated forms on growth, biochemical and fatty acid profile of common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The present study aimed to examine individual nutritional and ameliorative effects of silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) and natural zeolite nanoparticles (ZeNPs) and their potential role as carriers to alter the bioavailability of curcumin. Common carps (Cyprinus carpio) were fed during 60 days with a control diet, and curcumin, turmeric, SiO2NPs, curcumin-loaded SiO2NPs, ZeNPs, and curcumin-loaded ZeNPs each at 1, 50, 6.15, 7.15, 39, and 40 g/kg diet, respectively. The highest weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in fish fed with turmeric (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary curcumin and ZeNPs increased the content of monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). After exposure to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), the lowest amount of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was obtained in fish fed with curcumin (P < 0.05). In addition, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased significantly in the negative control, curcumin, and curcumin-loaded SiO2NPs treatments in comparison to the positive control group (P < 0.05). The lowest silver accumulation was observed in the negative control and SiO2NPs groups (P < 0.05). This experiment demonstrated that while the nanoencapsulation of curcumin on SiO2NPs and ZeNPs did not enhanced the impact of curcumin on the growth and biochemical factors of carps, it can still be considered a potential dietary supplement for enhancing growth and antioxidant indices when added individually to the diet.

Dietary supplementation with curcumin nanomicelles, curcumin, and turmeric affects growth performance and silver nanoparticle toxicity in Cyprinus carpio.

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of curcumin nanomicelle, curcumin, and turmeric (Curcuma longa) on growth performances, body composition, fatty acid profile, and biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and their ameliorative effects against toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A total of 120 healthy carps were randomly distributed into four equal treatments. Curcumin nanomicelle, curcumin, and turmeric were each added separately to the basal diet. After the feeding trials, all treatments were exposed to a non-lethal concentration of AgNPs (0.5 mg L-1) for 96 h. Fish fed dietary turmeric showed a significantly higher weight gain. The body protein content was significantly increased in all feeding groups, while the lipid content showed a significant decrease in the turmeric-treated group. Dietary turmeric improved the concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). AgNP exposure led to increases in liver catalase (CAT) activity of carps fed with turmeric and curcumin. The lowest amount of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was obtained in fish fed with nanomicelle curcumin and curcumin diets. The lowest amount of silver accumulation in the liver of carps was found in fish fed with dietary curcumin nanomicelle. This experiment suggests that supplementation of turmeric (50 g kg-1) or curcumin (1000 mg kg-1) may play an important role in enhancing growth performances and fatty acid composition of the common carp. Moreover, administration of curcumin nanomicelle in the diet may have a potential ameliorative effect against toxicity of AgNPs.

Dietary supplementation with melatonin: influence on growth performance, oxidative stress status, and amelioration of silver nanoparticles-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Excessive use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) due to antibacterial properties can raise concerns about their release into environment and potential toxicity in aquatic organisms. Melatonin has several physiological functions especially antioxidant potential against oxidative stress. The current study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of two doses of dietary melatonin on growth performance, plasma biochemistry, and liver enzyme activity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles. We also investigated the potential ameliorative effect of melatonin in AgNPs-induced biochemical alterations in tilapia fish. The results showed that melatonin-supplemented diets had no significant effect on growth performance of fish (P>0.05). The liver GPx activity increased in fish fed melatonin-supplemented diets (P<0.05), but the SOD activity showed no significant difference in comparison with the control (P>0.05). The administration of melatonin-supplemented diets reduced the activity of liver MDA compared to the control (P<0.05). Feeding fish with high melatonin-supplemented diet (200 mg kg-1 of diet) decreased the plasma glucose, total protein, and AST levels (P<0.05). The liver GPx and SOD activities were higher in high melatonin-treated fish exposed to AgNPs than the control group (P<0.05). Dietary melatonin decreased the liver MDA activity in AgNPs-exposed fish. The plasma glucose, AST, and ALT levels in melatonin-treated fish exposed to AgNPs decreased compared to the untreated exposed fish (P<0.05). Melatonin-treated fish exposed to 0.05 and 0.5 mg L-1 of AgNPs had lower plasma LDH level than the control group (P<0.05). The results showed that consumption of melatonin-supplemented diets could modulate some of the biochemical indices of plasma and liver in Nile tilapia. The findings also indicated the ameliorative effect of dietary melatonin on AgNPs-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia.

Antioxidant properties of dietary supplements of free and nanoencapsulated silymarin and their ameliorative effects on silver nanoparticles induced oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in a wide range of products and as a consequence, the environmental concentration will inevitably increase in the near future. Many aquatic organisms have been shown to be sensitive to the toxic effects of silver, including oxidative stress mechanisms. In this study, we assessed the ability of silymarin (Silybum marianum) to counter the oxidative effects of AgNPs in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish were fed on the diets supplemented with 50 or 200 mg kg-1 of free or nanoencapsulated silymarin for 50 days. Subsequently, they were exposed via the water to three concentrations (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg L-1) of AgNPs for 24 h, and the effects of this exposure assessed on blood plasma and liver oxidative status. Growth performance and most body indices measured were not affected by any of the experimental diets. There were no effects of free silymarin (FS) or nanoencapsulated silymarin (NS) on levels of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), or on the total protein (TP). In contrast, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and plasma glucose (GLU) were all affected by the high dietary FS and NS treatments compared with controls. Prior to the AgNPs exposure, the levels of SOD and GPx activity were higher and MDA levels lower in the silymarin treatment groups compared to controls. Exposure to AgNPs resulted in a reduction in the levels of GPx and SOD activity and an increase in the level of MDA that was dependent on the exposure concentrations of AgNPs. Based on GPx, MDA, and GLU indices, both forms of silymarin decreased the toxicity of AgNPs, but NS supplementation was the most effective. Thus, we show dietary silymarin supplementation can reduce AgNP toxicity and nanoencapsulation increases its efficacy as an antioxidant.

Fatty acid alteration in liver, brain, muscle, and oocyte of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to silver nanoparticles and mitigating influence of quercetin-supplemented diet.

No to less effort has been made to assess the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to lipid composition in biological systems and also to discover a mitigating agent against their oxidative stress. Hence, this research evaluated the antioxidant capability of quercetin (Qu) against silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) toxicity towards the lipid contents of ovarian, nervous, and hepatic systems as well as skeletal muscles. To this end, zebrafish (n = 180) were assigned into four experimental dietary groups: negative and positive controls, without Qu supplementation; Qu-200, 200 mg Qu per kg diet; and Qu-400, 400 mg Qu per kg diet. At the end of the feeding trial (40 days), the experimental groups, except the negative control, were exposed to sublethal concentration of AgNPs (0.15 mg L-1) for 96 h. As to the liver tissue of the positive and Qu-200 treatments, total polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA) decreased 3 times, as well as total high unsaturated fatty acids (∑HUFA) reduced about 30% and 50%, respectively. However, the brain ∑HUFA, predominated by DHA, enhanced in Qu-400 treatment. Interestingly, ∑MUFA, ∑PUFA, and ∑HUFA increased in the muscle of all treated groups, especially Qu-200 and Qu-400. The oocyte ∑MUFA content increased in the positive and Qu-200 treatments, whereas ∑HUFA reduced about 25%, 25%, and 20%, respectively, in the positive, Qu-200, and Qu-400 groups. Generally, the findings suggest that unsaturated acyl chains, particularly HUFAs, in the liver tissue and oocyte cell are highly susceptible to peroxidation or degeneration by AgNPs. More broadly, in the context of ecotoxicological risk assessment, the alteration in HUFAs and PUFAs of the liver and oocyte could impact on maternal and offspring health and consequently alter long-term population dynamics of aquatic animals.

Comparative toxicity of nanoparticulate and ionic copper following dietary exposure to common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Copper is an essential element for the normal growth and survival of all organisms including fish. However, its excessive presence in the environment can cause bioaccumulation and aquatic toxicology. The aim of the present study was to compare the dietary toxicity effects of two different Cu compounds, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and ionic copper (CuSO4) in juvenile common carp, Cyprinus carpio. To prepare experimental diets, two nominal concentrations of 100 and 1000 mg Cu kg-1 diet were added to a basal diet. Carp (n = 450, average initial weight of 35.94 ± 5.35 g) were fed on the Cu-supplemented diets and basal diets for two 21-day courses as dietary exposure and recovery periods, respectively. The growth performance, survival rate and blood biochemical indices as well as copper accumulation in target organs of fish were investigated at the end of each exposure period. The results showed that the weight gain (WG) of carp significantly decreased coincident with increasing concentration of the both dietary Cu forms (P = 0.00). Both Cu sources at concentrations of 100 mg kg-1 diet decreased the survival rate of fish (P = 0.003), likely due to more feed intake and thus increased copper toxicity. The both forms of dietary Cu at two different concentrations significantly decreased the plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) level compared to the control group (P = 0.008). Fish exposed to diets containing Cu sources except 100 mg Cu kg-1 of CuO-NPs showed the lower glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activity in comparison to the control (P = 0.00). The plasma sodium level in1000 mg CuO-NPs kg-1 diet was significantly lower than the control (P = 0.001). The plasma potassium level increased in the all Cu-supplemented groups except 100 mg kg-1 of CuO-NPs after the dietary exposure period (P = 0.035). The copper accumulation was dose-dependent in all target organs. In 100 mg Cu kg-1 dietary groups, the liver showed the highest Cu accumulation (P = 0.00), while in 1000 mg Cu kg-1 dietary groups, the highest Cu content was observed in the intestine (P = 0.00). The results demonstrated the enhanced toxicological responses in fish after 21 days of dietary exposure, but the levels of most of biochemical indices and tissues Cu content decreased or returned to the control values after the recovery period.

Perturbation of fatty acid composition, pigments, and growth indices of Chlorella vulgaris in response to silver ions and nanoparticles: A new holistic understanding of hidden ecotoxicological aspect of pollutants.

This study assesses and compares the influence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) on the fatty acid composition, pigments, and growth indices of Chlorella vulgaris. Toxicity testing was carried at the estimated and/or above predicted environmental concentrations of AgNPs and AgNO3. AgNO3 treatments impaired the population growth of C. vulgaris about 2-183 times more than the respective AgNPs ones. The pigments displayed a concentration-dependent decrease in response to both forms of silver; however, AgNO3 displayed higher severity to the pigments than AgNPs. In exposure to 10 µg L-1 AgNO3, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid, respectively, demonstrated a reduction of about 5, 3, 4, and 4 times when compared with the same respective concentration of AgNPs. Total amounts of saturated (∑SFA), monounsaturated (∑MUFA), and polyunsaturated (∑PUFA) fatty acids as well as the ratio of unsaturated to saturated ones (Unsat./Sat.) displayed somewhat similar-concentration responses. ∑SFA exhibited a hormesis response, and ∑MUFA, ∑PUFA, and Unsat./Sat. did a decreasing trend with increasing concentration of AgNPs and AgNO3. Myristoleic acid, nervonic acid, and eicosadienoic acid revealed the highest sensitivity. Pearson analysis illustrated the highest correlation among myristoleic acid, eicosenoic acid, and nervonic acid as well as among palmitic acid, stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, and oleic acid. Taken together, AgNPs and the released ions could disrupt physiological health state of microalgae through perturbation in the fatty acid composition (especially MUFAs and PUFAs) and other macromolecules. These types of bioperturbations could change the good health state of aquatic ecosystems.

Comparative toxicity of organic, inorganic and nanoparticulate zinc following dietary exposure to common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

This study was carried out to compare the dietary toxicity of organic zinc (Zn-proteinate, Bioplex Zn®), mineral zinc (ZnSO4), and nanoparticulate zinc (ZnO-NPs) on the basis of some biological responses including growth performance and whole-body proximate composition, and antioxidant enzymes, as well as their accumulative affinity to target organs. These Zn sources with the nominal concentrations of 0, 30, 100, and 500 mg kg-1 diet were added to a basal diet. Juvenile common carp (n = 400; weight of 25.3 ±â€¯2.7 g) were fed with the diets for 56 days. ZnSO4 significantly reduced condition factor (CF) at 500 mg kg-1 diet. The highest activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was observed in the plasma of the animals received 500 mg kg-1 diet of all experimental Zn sources. However, this concentration of ZnO-NPs significantly increased the activity of SOD when compared to the respective amount of ZnSO4 and Zn-proteinate. Catalase (CAT) showed a zinc-concentration decreasing activity; the minimum activity was observed in the fish group treated with the diet containing 500 mg kg-1 ZnSO4. Digestive, muscular, and integumentary systems demonstrated the following tissue zinc burden: liver > muscle > bone > posterior intestine ≈ skin > anterior intestine, for ZnO-NPs; liver > muscle ≈ bone ≈ posterior intestine ≈ skin > anterior intestine, for Zn-proteinate; and liver > muscle ≈ bone ≈ skin > posterior intestine ≈ anterior intestine, for ZnSO4. Based on accumulative affinity, taken together, ZnO-NPs displayed the highest affinity to all of the analyzed target organs, and also intestinal Zn accumulation suggested that the gut tissue has the lowest rendering ability against ZnO-NPs in compare to ZnSO4 and Zn-proteinate.

Effects of Dietary Organic, Inorganic, and Nanoparticulate Zinc on Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Larvae.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary zinc sources on growth performance, survival, and body composition of larval rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. A total of 3240 larvae with an average weight of 82.3 ± 11.6 mg were randomly divided into four groups by three replicates and were fed for 70 days. Organic zinc (Zn-proteinate, Bioplex Zn®), mineral zinc (ZnSO4), and nanoparticulate zinc (ZnO-NPs) were each added to the basal diet at 50-mg/kg diet. In all of the zinc-supplemented groups, final body weight (FBW) and weight gain (WG) increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the control at the termination of the feeding trial. There was no significant difference in specific growth rate (SGR) in experimental groups. Fish fed with mineral and nanoparticulate zinc, respectively, demonstrated the highest and lowest survival rates (P < 0.05) as compared to other experimental diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in groups fed with organic and mineral zinc. There were no significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture, and ash content among fish fed the experimental diets. Fish fed mineral zinc showed the highest (P < 0.05) zinc content in the whole body than the other groups. The data of the present study confirm positive effects of the use of 50 mg kg-1 of zinc sources in early diet to enhance growth performance of rainbow trout larvae.

Dietary cosupplementation with curcumin and different selenium sources (nanoparticulate, organic, and inorganic selenium): influence on growth performance, body composition, immune responses, and glutathione peroxidase activity of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary selenium (nanoparticles, organic, and inorganic forms), curcumin (CUR), and their combination on survival, growth performance, body composition, innate immune responses, and glutathione peroxidase activity of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). CUR at level of 400 mg/kg dry diet and each of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs), organic selenium (Sel-Plax®), and sodium selenite at level of 1 mg/kg Se dry diet were added to basal diet. A total of 240 rainbow trout with mean initial weight of 14.65 ± 0.86 g were fed eight diets including control (basal diet), CUR, Se-NPs, Se-NPs + CUR, organic Se, organic Se + CUR, sodium Se, and sodium Se + CUR for 8 weeks. No significant increase in survival rate, growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition was observed in fish-fed CUR and Se included diets compared to control (P > 0.05). The highest lysozyme and alternative hemolytic complement activity was observed in fish-fed CUR and organic Se + CUR-supplemented diets (P < 0.05). Fish-fed Se-NPs and Se-NPs + CUR-supplemented diets had the highest glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicated that the combination of CUR and Se in nanoparticles and organic forms was more effective in promoting innate immune responses of rainbow trout compared to the other combined or separated Se and CUR forms.

Effects of dietary organic, inorganic, and nanoparticulate selenium sources on growth, hemato-immunological, and serum biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to compare the effects of supplementing (0.7 mg kg-1) different dietary selenium (Se) sources including organic [selenomethionine (SeMet)], inorganic [sodium selenite (Na2SeO3)], and nanoparticulate Se (nano-Se) on physiological responses of common carp, Cyprinus carpio juveniles (9.7 ± 0.1 g). Basal diet without Se supplementation used as control. Fish fed nano-Se supplemented diet had the highest weight gain (97.2 ± 10.8%) and feed efficiency ratio (42.4 ± 0.8%). Intestinal villi height was significantly taller in fish fed nano-Se diet than in the control group in both foregut and midgut sections. Serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher in nano-Se and SeMet groups than in control and sodium selenite groups. Fish fed Se-supplemented diets had greater red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin values than the control group (P < 0.05). Nano-Se and SeMet groups showed a significant increase in white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, and serum lysozyme activity than the other groups. Fish fed nano-Se diet had the highest serum hemolytic activity, total immunoglobulin, and total protein and albumin contents, as well as the lowest serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels (P < 0.05). Overall, significant improvements in growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal morphology, and hemato-immunological and serum biochemical parameters of common carp juveniles suggest nano-Se as an efficient source for providing dietary Se in this species.