Effects of dietary 1,8-cineole supplementation on physiological, immunological and antioxidant responses to crowding stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The aim of the present study was to investigate beneficial effects of dietary 1,8-cineole (cineole) supplementation on physiological, immunological and antioxidant responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to crowding stress. The fish were fed for 50 days with diets containing 0 (control), 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1% cineole prior to exposure to a 14-day crowding stress. Serum stress markers (cortisol, glucose, lactate, T4 and T3), antioxidant responses [catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondyaldehyde (MDA) levels] and immune responses [lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activity, and total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels], and blood leukocyte (WBC) and differential counts were measured before and after crowding stress. Results showed that 1% cineole was capable to reduce the basal and stress-induced cortisol elevation and increase the serum T3 levels after stress. Increase in dietary cineole levels significantly decreased serum cortisol, glucose and lactate levels. Increase in dietary cineole levels significantly increased serum CAT, SOD, lysozyme and ACH50 activities, and TAC and eosinophil levels, and decreased MDA and monocyte levels. After the stress, there was no significant difference in the control group CAT and SOD activities compared to the basal values; however, CAT activities decreased and SOD activities increased in the cineole-treated groups compared to the basal values. Nevertheless, the control group had significantly lower CAT and SOD activities compared to the fish treated with 0.1-1% cineole. Cineole significantly increased blood WBC and serum lysozyme, ACH50 and total Ig. Moreover, cineole administration significantly mitigated the stress-induced decrease in total Ig levels as well as increase in leukocyte count. The cineole-treated fish had higher survival and growth performance compared to the control group. Although all levels of cineole (0.05-1%) showed beneficial effects on different tested factors, 0.5 and 1% levels had beneficial effects on most of the tested factors; thus, are recommended for dietary inclusion to suppress adverse effects of stress in trout.

Modification of saltwater stress response in Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) pre-exposed to pesticide indoxacarb.

To evaluate the effects of indoxacarb on saltwater stress response in Cyprinus carpio, the fish were pre-exposed to indoxacarb (0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3mg/L denoted as CP, 0.75IT, 1.5IT and 3IT, respectively) for 21 days and then released to saltwater. A negative control (CN) group was included (the fish were held in indoxacarb-free water for the entire experiment). The fish were sampled immediately (0h) and 24, 48 and 72h after the salinity exposure for the analysis of plasma cortisol, glucose and sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium levels. All fish pre-exposed to 3mg/L indoxacarb, died after the first day of salinity challenge. CP showed typical cortisol response after the salinity challenge, but, cortisol response of the fish pre-exposed to indoxacarb (0.75IT and 1.5IT) was blocked. Plasma glucose increased significantly in all groups compared to the CN; however, this elevation had no consistent trend in 0.75IT and 1.5IT which indicated interference in glucose response due to indoxacarb exposure. Plasma sodium increased (compared to CN) in all groups after the salinity challenge. However, elevation in plasma chloride and potassium was significantly different among the groups and the indoxacarb-treated fish showed slightly sooner ionic disturbance. The results clearly indicate that indoxacarb impairs stress response of C. carpio and the fish may not be able to respond normally to additional stressors, which threatens their survival.

Hemolysis interference in measuring fish plasma biochemical indicators.

The present study aimed to determine hemolysis interference in measurement of plasma biochemical parameters in fish specimens. For this purpose, blood samples were harvested from 24 Huso huso juveniles. After centrifugation, each plasma sample was divided into seven portions to make seven levels of hemolysis. Hemolysis was induced by addition of different percentages of the corresponding whole blood [0 (non-hemolyzed control group), 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of whole blood]. Albumin, total protein, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured in different samples. Results showed that plasma albumin, ALP, potassium, and AST significantly increased (more than 200% at the highest hemolysis level) in the hemolyzed samples. Also, plasma total protein and phosphorus showed significant elevation in the hemolyzed samples (more than 70% at the highest hemolysis level). Plasma glucose, calcium, chloride, and ALT showed narrow but significant increase in hemolyzed samples (11.8-35.2% at the highest hemolysis level). Plasma sodium showed no significant changes in the hemolyzed samples. In conclusion, the present results show that hemolysis markedly affects plasma parameters levels, which interferes with plasma results interpretation. Therefore, analysis of hemolyzed samples should be avoided or the results should be interpreted with caution. This study encourages further investigations to develop methods for omitting the effects of hemolysis by sample blanking and/or presenting correction coefficients for measurement of plasma parameters in samples with different levels of hemolysis.

Plasma metabolites, ions and thyroid hormones levels, and hepatic enzymes׳ activity in Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) exposed to waterborne manganese.

To investigate the effect of waterborne manganese on plasma biochemical characteristics in fish, Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) was exposed to 0 (control), 60 (M60), 150 (M150) and 300 (M300) mg/L water manganese for 96h. Thereafter, plasma biochemical characteristics were studied. Plasma glucose level significantly increased in M60 and decreased in M150 and M300 groups, compared to the control. M300 had significantly lower hematocrit compared to the control. Albumin remained unchanged after manganese exposure, however, the manganese-exposed fish showed significant increase in plasma total protein levels. M150 and M300 showed significant increase in the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the control and M60. M60 and M150 had significantly higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity compared to the control. The manganese-exposed groups had significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity compared to the control. M150 and M300 had aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity significantly higher than those of the control and M60. M300 had significantly higher triiodothyronine (T3) levels than the other groups. All manganese-exposed fish had significantly higher thyroxin (T4) levels than the control. The plasma levels of chloride showed a significant decrease in the manganese-exposed fish, compared to the control. M150 and M300 had significantly lower sodium levels, compared to the control. M60 and M150 had significantly lower plasma calcium levels compared to the other groups. It is concluded that clinical chemistry along with thyroid hormones levels can be the useful tools to monitor manganese toxicity in fish. The possible mechanisms involving in the biochemical changes were discussed.

Efficacy of clove solution on blood sampling and hematological study in Beluga, Huso huso (L.).

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of clove solution on anesthesia and hematological parameters in Beluga, Huso huso (L.). In the experiment 1, fish were exposed to concentrations of 300, 500, 700, 1,800 and 3,000 ppm clove solution and induction (stage 3 and 4) as well as recovery period lengths were recorded. These concentrations were led to induction and recovery time between 42-365 and 125-235 s, respectively, in dose-dependent manner. There was negative correlation between induction and recovery time (R(2) = 0.92). In the experiment 2, fish were exposed to each aforementioned concentrations and let to reach stage 4 anesthesia and then blood-sampled. Control group was sampled without anesthesia. Hematological studies between groups showed no significant changes in white blood cell (WBC) and differential leukocyte count (P > 0.05). Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration levels were significantly high in concentrations of 300-700 ppm compared to control, 1,800 and 3,000 ppm. Control and 500-3,000 ppm groups have similar mean corpuscular volume values and significantly higher than 300 ppm. Lower values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin were related to control, 3,000 and 1,800 ppm and higher values were observed in the others. Strong positive correlation were observed between induction periods and Hct, Hb and RBC levels (R(2) = 0.095, 0.99 and 0.92, respectively). Results suggested that anesthesia with low concentrations of clove solution over a long period is stressful compared to high concentrations over short period.

Expression of immune, antioxidant and stress related genes in different organs of common carp exposed to indoxacarb.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of chronic exposure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to indoxacarb on immune, antioxidant and stress gene expression. After 21 days exposure to 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 ppm indoxacarb, expression of IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SOD, CAT, HSP70, IGF-I and IGF-II were assessed in liver, kidney and gills. In general, exposure to low concentration of indoxacarb increased inflammatory cytokine gene expression (IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) and inhibits inflammatory cytokines' expression at higher concentrations. The assessment of antioxidant gene expression (SOD and CAT) in different organs indicate that they were increased by low concentrations of indoxacarb to deal with primary oxidative situation. However, higher concentrations of indoxacarb caused reduction in oxidative gene expression. IGF genes expression in liver significantly increased at a concentration of 0.75 ppm treatment, then it decreased at 1.5 ppm indoxacarb and increased again by increasing in the indoxacarb concentration to 3 ppm. The expression of HSP70 in kidney showed a significant elevation in 0.75 and 1.5 ppm treatments compared with 3 ppm treatment and the control group. The expression of this gene in liver was significantly increased in 1.5 and 3 ppm treatments. The same pattern of expression was also observed in gill. Overall, indoxacarb exposure affects common carp health at transcription levels. Changes in the genes expression generally suggest that indoxacarb exposure led to interference in inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue damage.

Toxic effects of copper sulfate and copper nanoparticles on minerals, enzymes, thyroid hormones and protein fractions of plasma and histopathology in common carp Cyprinus carpio.

Differences in toxicological effects of dissolved copper and copper nanoparticles were studied in common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The fish were exposed to 0.25mgL-1 copper as copper sulfate (0.25Cu), 0.25mgL-1 copper as copper oxide nanoparticles (0.25NCu) and 25mgL-1 copper as copper oxide nanoparticles (25NCu) over 14days. Plasma biochemical, enzymatic and hormonal characteristics, and liver and kidney histopathology were examined at the end of the experiment. The results showed that both forms of copper had no significant effects on plasma calcium levels, however, significantly increased plasma phosphorous levels, compared to control group (no added copper). Plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) activity increased in 0.25Cu and 25NCu treatments compared to the control and 0.25NCu treatments. Nanoparticle copper exposure significantly decreased plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity compared to the control and 0.25Cu treatments. Only copper sulfate exposure caused plasma aspartate transaminase (AST) elevation. Both copper forms increased plasma T4 and free T4 (FT4); however, copper sulfate effect was higher than nanoparticle copper. Copper sulfate exposure increased plasma albumin fraction, whereas, 25mgL-1 copper nanoparticle exposure increased plasma α2-globulin fraction compared to the control. Both copper forms damaged the fish liver and kidney, however, copper sulfate caused more severe damages compared to nanoparticle copper. Overall, except for plasma ALP and α2-globulin fraction, dissolved copper seems to be more toxic than nanoparticle copper in common carp.