Pseudomonas putida infection induces immune-antioxidant, hepato-renal, ethological, and histopathological/immunohistochemical disruptions in Oreochromis niloticus: the palliative role of titanium dioxide nanogel.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas putida is a pathogenic bacterium that induces great losses in fishes, including Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Currently, the application of nanomaterials in aquaculture practices has gained more success as it endows promising results in therapies compared to traditional protocols. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the current perspective is considered the first report to assess the anti-bacterial efficacy of titanium dioxide nanogel (TDNG) against Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) in Nile tilapia. METHODS: The fish (n = 200; average body weight: 47.50±1.32 g) were allocated into four random groups (control, TDNG, P. putida, and TDNG + P. putida), where 0.9 mg/L of TDNG was applied as bath treatment for ten days. RESULTS: Outcomes revealed that P. putida infection caused ethological alterations (surfacing, abnormal movement, and aggression) and depression of immune-antioxidant variables (complement 3, lysozyme activity, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione content). Additionally, a substantial elevation in hepatorenal biomarkers (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and creatinine) with clear histopathological changes and immuno-histochemical alterations (very weak BCL-2 and potent caspase-3 immuno-expressions) were seen. Surprisingly, treating P. putida-infected fish with TDNG improved these variables and obvious restoration of the tissue architectures. CONCLUSION: Overall, this report encompasses the key role of TDNG as an anti-bacterial agent for controlling P. putida infection and improving the health status of Nile tilapia.

Silica nanoparticles alleviate the immunosuppression, oxidative stress, biochemical, behavioral, and histopathological alterations induced by Aeromonas veronii infection in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

In the aquaculture industry, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have great significance, mainly for confronting diseases. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the antibacterial efficiency of SiNPs as a versatile trial against Aeromonas veronii infection in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Further, we investigated the influence of SiNPs in palliating the immune-antioxidant stress biochemical, ethological, and histopathological alterations induced by A. veronii. The experiment was conducted for 10 days, and about 120 fish were distributed into four groups at random, with 30 fish each. The first group is a control that was neither exposed to infection nor SiNPs. The second group (SiNPs) was vulnerable to SiNPs at a concentration of 20 mg/L in water. The third group was experimentally infected with A. veronii at a concentration of 1.5 × 107 CFU/mL. The fourth group (A. veronii + SiNPs) was exposed to SiNPs and infected with A. veronii. Results outlined that A. veronii infection induced behavioral alterations and suppression of immune-antioxidant responses that appeared as a clear decline in protein profile indices, complement 3, lysozyme activity, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity. The kidney and liver function biomarkers (creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) were substantially increased in the A. veronii group, with marked histopathological changes and immunohistochemical alterations in these tissues. Interestingly, the exposure to SiNPs resulted in a clear improvement in all measured biomarkers and a noticeable regeneration of the histopathological changes. Overall, it will establish that SiNPs are a new, successful tool for opposing immunological, antioxidant, physiological, and histopathological alterations induced by A. veronii infection.

Alhagi maurorum Ethanolic Extract Rescues Hepato-Neurotoxicity and Neurobehavioral Alterations Induced by Lead in Rats via Abrogating Oxidative Stress and the Caspase-3-Dependent Apoptotic Pathway.

This work investigated the probable protective effect of an Alhagi maurorum ethanolic extract on the hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity accompanied by neurobehavioral deficits caused by lead in rats. Rats in four groups were orally administered distilled water, ethanolic extract of A. maurorum (300 mg/kg BW daily), lead (100 mg/kg BW daily for 3 months), and lead + A. maurorum extract. The results demonstrated that lead exposure resulted in elevated locomotor activities and sensorimotor deficits associated with a decrease in brain dopamine levels. Moreover, lead exposure significantly increased liver function markers. In addition, the lead-treated rats exhibited extensive liver and brain histological changes and apoptosis. The lead treatment also triggered oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations with a remarkable reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and transcriptional mRNA levels of antioxidant genes in the liver and brain. Nevertheless, co-treatment with the A. maurorum extract significantly ameliorated the lead-induced toxic effects. These findings indicate that the A. maurorum extract has the ability to protect hepatic and brain tissues against lead exposure in rats through the attenuation of apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Olive Leaf Extract Attenuates Chlorpyrifos-Induced Neuro- and Reproductive Toxicity in Male Albino Rats.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a common organophosphorus insecticide. It is associated with negative consequences such as neurotoxicity and reproductive injury. This study aimed to observe the ability of olive leaf extract to attenuate chlorpyrifos toxicity, which induced neuro- and reproductive toxicity in male albino rats. Olive leaf extract (OLE) exhibits potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. Twenty-two mature male rats were divided into four groups: control (saline), CPF (9 mg/kg), OLE (150 mg/kg), and CPF + OLE. Treatment was administered orally for 80 days. The CPF significantly reduced serum sex hormones, sperm counts and motility, high oxidants (MDA), and depleted antioxidants (GSH, SOD, TAC) in the brain and testes homogenate; additionally, it decreased serum AChE and brain neurotransmitters, increased Bax, decreased Bcl-2, and boosted caspase-3 immune expression in neural and testicular cells. Immunological expression of Ki 67 in the cerebrum, cerebellum, choroid plexus, and hippocampus was reduced, and α-SMA in testicular tissue also decreased. Histopathological findings were consistent with the above impacts. OLE co-administration significantly normalized all these abnormalities. OLE showed significant protection against neural and reproductive damage caused by CPF.

Long-Term Feeding with Curcumin Affects the Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Status, Tissue Histoarchitecture, Immune Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines, and Apoptosis Indicators in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

The impact of dietary curcumin (CUR) on the growth, antioxidant activity, histomorphology of certain organs, proinflammatory cytokine production, and immune status of Oreochromis niloticus was evaluated. The fingerlings (n = 225, 41.60 ± 0.09 g/fish) were randomly allotted into five experimental groups in triplicate. Fish were fed basal diets complemented with 0, 200, 400, 600, or 800 mg curcumin/kg diet (CUR0, CUR200, CUR400, CUR600, and CUR800, respectively) for 10 weeks. An increase in fish growth was reported in the CUR200 and CUR400 groups. The feed conversion ratio was enhanced by 15% in the CUR400 group. Fish body protein content was increased in the CUR600 group (p ≤ 0.01). Body fat was decreased, and ash content was increased by CUR supplementation in a level-related way (p < 0.05). The villus height was increased in the CUR400 and CUR600 groups. The villus width was increased by CUR supplementation, with the best result found in the CUR600 group. The liver of CUR-fed fish displayed comparatively normal hepatocytes. TNF-α and caspase-3 were significantly upregulated by dietary CUR in a level-related way. The serum catalase activity and GSH level were increased in CUR200 and CUR400 groups. Curcumin supplementation boosted the serum SOD activity and reduced the MDA level. IL10 and IgM levels were increased in the CUR200 and CUR400 groups. Lysozyme activity was increased in the CUR200−400 groups. Serum complement 3 level was increased in the CUR400 group. The percentage survival of O. niloticus challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila was highest in the CUR200-CUR600 groups (100%) and decreased in the CUR800 group (80%). This study concluded that CUR could be added to Nile tilapia diets up to 400 mg·kg−1 to achieve better growth, antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal histology. Long feeding periods on high levels of CUR (600 and 800 mg·kg−1) stimulate inflammatory reactions in fish tissues.

Gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects of thymol against the adverse effects of acetylsalicylic acid in rats: Biochemical and histopathological studies.

Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) has been used for a long time as an antipyretic and analgesic. Nevertheless, aspirin use is associated with severe morbidity and death because of its detrimental impacts on several organs, including the liver, kidneys, and stomach. The current investigation sought to ascertain the influence of thymol in mitigating aspirin-mediated gastric and hepato-renal injury. This was done by 1) evaluating gastric juice volume and pH as well as pepsin and prostaglandin E2 level; 2) measuring serum biochemical parameters and proinflammatory cytokines; 3) determining tissue oxidant/antioxidant status, and 4) identifying a link with gastric, hepatic and renal histopathological changes. Forty-eight rats were segregated to six groups: normal control, Th100, Th200, ASA, Th100 + ASA, Th200 + ASA. Daily administration of aspirin (ASA, 150 mg/kg body weight) for 3 successive days induced a significant increase in gastric juice volume, pepsin activity, serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-α, myeloperoxidase, and tissue malondialdehyde levels. In contrast, a significant reduction in gastric pH, prostaglandin E2, tissue non-enzymatic antioxidant (glutathione), and enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) levels. These biochemical changes were accompanied by histological modifications that included changes to the normal gastric, hepatic, and renal architectures. Pretreatment and simultaneous oral treatment with thymol (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) plus ASA significantly improved all biochemical and histological changes in a dose-dependent way. Thymol's antiinflammatory and antioxidative properties may contribute to its protective action. As a result, thymol may represent a promising medication for preventing aspirin-induced gastric, liver, and renal damage.

Silica Nanoparticle Acute Toxicity on Male Rattus norvegicus Domestica: Ethological Behavior, Hematological Disorders, Biochemical Analyses, Hepato-Renal Function, and Antioxidant-Immune Response.

With extensive production and various applications of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), there is a controversy regarding the ecotoxicological impacts of SiNPs. Therefore, the current study was aimed to assess the acute toxicity of silica nanoparticles in male Rattus norvegicus domestica after 24 and 96 h. Hematological, serum biochemical, stress biomarker, and immune-antioxidant parameters were addressed. Chemical composition, crystal structure, and the particle shape and morphology of SiNPs were investigated using XRD, FTIR, BET, UV-Vis, and SEM, while TEM was used to estimate the average size distribution of particles. For the exposure experiment, 48 male rats were divided into four groups (12 rat/group) and gavaged daily with different levels of zero (control), 5, 10, and 20 mg of SiNPs corresponding to zero, 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg per kg of body weight. Sampling was carried out after 24 and 96 h. Relative to the control group, the exposure to SiNPs induced clear behavioral changes such as inactivity, lethargy, aggressiveness, and screaming. In a dose-dependent manner, the behavior scores recorded the highest values. Pairwise comparisons with the control demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in hematological and immunological biomarkers [lysozymes and alternative complement activity (ACH50)] with a concomitant reduction in the antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in all exposed groups to SiNPs. On the contrary, there was a noticeable increase in biochemical parameters (glucose, cortisol, creatinine, urea, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), total protein, and albumin) and hepato-renal indicators, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), of all SiNP-exposed groups. It was observed that SiNPs induced acute toxicity, either after 24 h or 96 h, post-exposure of rats to SiNPs evidenced by ethological changes, hepato-renal dysfunction, hyperlipemia, and severe suppression in hematological, protein, stress, and immune-antioxidant biomarkers reflecting an impaired physiological status. The obtained outcomes create a foundation for future research to consider the acute toxicity of nanoparticles to preserve human health and sustain the environment.

Boldenone undecylenate disrupts the immune system and induces autoimmune clinical hypothyroidism in rats: Vitamin C ameliorative effects.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of boldenone undecylenate (BL) abuse alone and in combination with vitamin C (VC) on the immune responses and thyroid structure and function in rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups and were subjected to various treatment regimens for eight weeks as follows: control group, vehicle control group, VC group orally received VC (120 mg/Kg BW/day), BL-treated group intramuscularly injected with BL (5 mg/kg BW, once/week), and BL+VC group received BL and VC. At the end of this experiment, blood and tissue samples (thyroid, thymus, and spleen) were subjected to hematological evaluation, biochemical analysis, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. In comparison to controls, BL significantly increased the levels of serum proinflammatory interleukins (IL-1 ß and IL-6), immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), and complement 3 but reduced anti-inflammatory interleukin-10, lysosome, and nitric oxide. Besides, altered platelet count and leukogram were evident in BL-injected rats. BL notably disturbed thyroid profile as revealed by a significant increase of thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid peroxidase antibody. In contrast, both total and free forms of thyroid hormones (tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine), thyroglobulin, and thyroid peroxidase, were significantly decreased. Moreover, BL caused histopathological changes in the thyroid, thymus, and spleen tissues.CD4+ immuno-expression was reduced, but CD8+ immunolabelling was increased in both spleen and thymus. The daily dosing of VC to BL-exposed rats significantly corrected most of the deviations in immune parameters. It restored most of the thyroid architecture and function, revealing a significant protective effect of this vitamin. This experimental study demonstrates that BL abusing disrupts the immune system by different mechanisms and addresses BL, for the first time, as an autoimmune clinical hypothyroidism inducer drug. Additionally, VC is helpful in the management of BL abuse.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate plasticizer triggers hepatic, brain, and cardiac injury in rats: Mitigating effect of Peganum harmala oil.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) is a widely used plasticizer and prevalent environmental contaminant. In this study, DEHA concentrations in the milk, cheese, and butter samples wrapped with food-grade commercial polyethylene films and stored at 4 °C for 30 days were detected using gas chromatographic analysis. Also, the effects of exposure to a high dose of DEHA for a long duration on the liver, brain, and heart of Wistar rats were assessed. Besides, the possible beneficial effect of Peganum harmala oil (PGO), in relieving DEHA induced adverse effects was explored. For this purpose, four groups (8 rats/group) were orally given physiological saline, PGO (320 mg/kg bwt), DEHA (2000 mg/kg bwt), or PGO + DEHA for 60 days. The results revealed that the DEHA concentrations in the tested dairy products were ordered as follows: (butter > cheese > milk). Notably, the detected levels in butter were higher than the specific migration limit in foods. DEHA induced a significant increase in the serum levels of glucose, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, acetylcholine esterase, creatine kinase-myocardium bound, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1ß. But, significant hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoglobulinemia, and hypocholesterolemia were evident following DEHA exposure. A significant reduction in the serum level of superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor was recorded. Besides, a significant downregulation in hepatic CYP2E1, brain glial fibrillary acidic protein, and cardiac troponin I gene expression was noticed. Moreover, DEHA exposure induced a significant decrease in Bcl-2 immunolabeling, but Caspase-3 immunoexpression was increased. On the contrary, PGO significantly recused DEHA injurious impacts. Therefore, PGO could represent a promising agent for preventing DEHA-induced hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity.