Exposure to oxyfluorfen-induced hematobiochemical alterations, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and disruption of sex hormones in male African catfish and the potential to confront by Chlorella vulgaris.

The present study evaluated the effect of chronic exposure to oxyfluorfen (OXY) on different physiological responses of male African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and the ameliorative effect of Chlorella vulgaris. The fish (160 ± 5.10 g) were exposed to 1/20 LC50 of OXY (0.58 mg/L) for 60 consecutive days with or without co-administration of C. vulgaris (25 g/kg diet) in triplicate groups. The results revealed that chronic exposure to a sublethal level of OXY induced severe anemia and leukopenia. OXY-exposed fish experienced hypoproteinemia, marked lower AchE levels, and a significant increase in glucose, liver, and kidney function biomarkers. The DNA fragmentation of the liver increased by 15 % in fish compared to the control. On the other hand, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were markedly increased in the liver and testes homogenates of the OXY-exposed fish. Meanwhile, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione S-transferase levels declined in the same tissues. Exposure to OXY induced a significant reduction in testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels and a significant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol. Meanwhile, C. vulgaris dietary supplementation succeeded in alleviating the negative impact of OXY on hematobiochemical parameters and restoring the antioxidant balance in the liver and testes. Furthermore, it ameliorated endocrine disruption and repaired sex hormone levels. In conclusion, exposure to OXY could induce systemic stress, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption in male C. gariepinus. The dietary supplementation of C. vulgaris could be a potential protective strategy against the toxicity of OXY.

Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin against Abamectin-Induced Hemato-Biochemical Alterations and Hepatorenal Oxidative Damage in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Abamectin (ABM) is a common agricultural pesticide and veterinary anthelmintic drug. It can discharge from the sites of application to aquatic systems via surface run-off or spray drift, causing harmful effects to aquatic organisms. The present study investigated the protective effect of dietary quercetin supplementation on hemato-biochemical parameters and hepato-renal oxidative stress biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to a sublethal dose of ABM. Fish were allocated into six equal groups. The first group was kept as a control group. The second and third groups (Q400, and Q800) were fed diets supplemented with two quercetin levels (400 and 800 mg/kg diet), respectively. The fourth group (ABM) was intoxicated with 20.73 µg/L of ABM. The fifth and sixth groups (ABM + Q400, and ABM + Q800) were fed diet supplemented with two quercetin levels (400 and 800 mg/kg diet) and simultaneously intoxicated with ABM for 60 days. The results showed that ABM significantly decreased RBCs, hemoglobin content, hematocrit, total protein, albumin levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity activities compared to the control. Meanwhile, ABM significantly increased white blood cells, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Liver and kidney levels of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, while hepato-renal antioxidant biomarkers (reduced glutathione, super oxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity) were significantly decreased upon ABM exposure. On the other hand, quercetin dietary supplementation improved the hemato-biochemical alterations and alleviated oxidative stress induced by ABM exposure. Fish supplemented with quercetin at a level of 800 mg/kg diet showed better alleviating effects against ABM compared to 400 mg/kg diet. Based on these study findings, we suggest that quercetin dietary supplementation (800 mg/kg) offered direct protection against ABM-induced physiological disturbance and oxidative stress in Nile tilapia.

Modulatory Effect of Papaya Extract against Chlorpyrifos-Induced Oxidative Stress, Immune Suppression, Endocrine Disruption, and DNA Damage in Female Clarias gariepinus.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the widely used organophosphorus pesticides in agriculture activities and its presence in the aquatic environment has been broadly recorded. In the present study, we investigated the effect of CPF exposure on oxidative stress, innate immunity, sexual hormones, and DNA integrity of female African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, in addition to the potential use of dietary supplementation of papaya, Carica papaya (CP), extract against CPF toxicity. Apparent healthy female catfish (300 ± 10 g) were divided into four groups with three replicates each. The first group served as the negative control (fed on a basal diet) and the other groups exposed to CPF (8.75 µg/L) with or without CP extract (250 mg/kg body weight) for six weeks. The results revealed that CPF exposure exhibited marked elevations in stress markers (glucose and cortisol), serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase activities, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone level. Moreover, CPF increased the percentage of hepatic DNA damage. In addition, catfish exposed to CPF experienced significant decline in serum total protein, albumin, follicles stimulating hormone, estradiol hormone levels, AChE, immunoglobulin, and lysozyme activity. CPF induced significantly oxidative stress in hepatic and renal tissues. The dietary supplementation with CP extract at a level of 250 mg/kg body weight succeeded to alleviate the negative effects of CPF on the physiological, immunological, and antioxidant status of female catfish. In addition, CP extract alleviated the endocrine disruption and hepatic DNA damage and counteracted the subchronic CPF toxicity in female African catfish. Finally, the CP extract may be used as a feed additive in the aquatic diet.

Biochemical, molecular and cytological impacts of alpha-lipoic acid and Ginkgo biloba in ameliorating testicular dysfunctions induced by silver nanoparticles in rats.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are commonly utilized in medicine. However, they have negative effects on the majority of organs, including the reproductive system. AgNPs were reported to be able to reach the testicular tissues due to their nano size, which allows them to pass through blood-testicular barriers. The goal of this study was to see if alpha-lipoic acid (LA) or Ginkgo biloba (GB) might protect adult rat testes after intraperitoneal injection of AgNPs. Forty male healthy adult Wister albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, AgNPs-intoxicated group intraperitoneally injected AgNPs 50 mg/kg b.w, 3 times a week; LA + AgNPs group intoxicated with AgNPs and orally gavaged with 100 mg LA/kg b.w; and GB + AgNPs group injected with AgNPs and orally given GB extract 120 mg/kg b.w for 30 consecutive days. Biochemical changes (testosterone, ACP, and prostatic acid phosphatase), oxidative indices, mRNA expression of proapoptotic (BAX) and anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) biomarkers, histological, and immunohistochemical changes in testicular tissues were investigated. Significant decrease in serum testosterone level and elevation in ACP and PACP enzyme activity in AgNPs-treated rats. As well, there were lowering in tGSH, GSH GR, GPx, and elevation in MDA and GSSG values. AgNPs-exposed rats expressed downregulation of testicular thirodexin-1 (Txn-1), transforming growth factor-1ß (TGF-1ß), anti-apoptotic (BCL-2), and upregulaion of proapoptotic biomarkers (BAX) mRNA expressions. Strong positive action to BAX and lowering the action of Ki-67 antibody were observed. Because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, cotreatment with LA or GB could be beneficial in reducing the harmful effects of AgNPs on the testicles.

Chitosan nanoparticles alleviated endocrine disruption, oxidative damage, and genotoxicity of Bisphenol-A- intoxicated female African catfish.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is widely used in production of plastic products. It can reach the ecosystems affecting aquatic organisms most likely fishes. The purpose of this study was to study the toxic effects of BPA on the biochemical variables and oxidative stress in female African catfish, Clarias gariepinus and to estimate the protective role of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) against BPA toxicity. Five groups in triplicates of fish were divided as follows: group I was control, group II was treated with CSNPs (0.66 ml/L), group III was exposed to BPA (1.43 µg/L), group IV was treated with BPA (1.43 µg/L) plus CSNPs (0.33 ml/L), and group V was treated with BPA (1.43 µg/L) plus CSNPs (0.66 ml/L) for 30 days. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected at the end of experiment for the biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers analyses. Results exhibited that serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and 17-ß Estradiol (E2) were significantly decreased in female catfish. While, serum Testosterone (T.) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) were increased after exposure to BPA. Marked increment in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of hepatic tissue of catfish exposed to BPA. Furthermore, significant reduction in hepatic catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were decreased significantly in BPA-exposed catfish compared to the control group. However, administration of female C. gariepinus with the low and high doses (0.33 ml/L and 0.66 ml/L) of CNPs restored the biochemical parameters to be close to the normal values of the control group and also, reduced oxidative stress induced by BPA toxicity. This improvement was evident in fish administrated with the high CSNPs dose (0.66 ml/L) compared to catfish exposed to BPA in group (III). Furthermore, the percentage of hepatic DNA damage was detected in group III exposed to BPA alone. However, it was declined after co- administration with both the low and high doses of CSNPs. The study has revealed that treatment with CSNPs has antagonistic functions against the toxicity of BPA in female African catfish.

Effect of allicin on antioxidant defense system, and immune response after carbofuran exposure in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

In this work, allicin was evaluated as an immunostimulant and antioxidant agent preventing Nile tilapia; Oreochromis niloticus against carbofuran toxicity. Fish (60 ± 8 g) were allocated to five groups; the first group (control), the second group was fed 1 g/kg allicin-supplemented diets without carbofuran intoxication, the third group exposed to 1/10 LC50 carbofuran (0.246 mg/L). While the fourth, and fifth groups were fed allicin supplemented diet at concentration of 0.5 and 1 g/kg diet, respectively, and exposed to carbofuran at the same concentration similar to the one of the third group. After 30 days, fish exposed to carbofuran showed high ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol, glucose, cortisol, uric acid, and creatinine levels. However, serum AChE, total proteins, immunoglobulins, and lysozyme activity were markedly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced in carbofuran exposed tilapia fish. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly increased in liver, and kidneys tissues of carbofuran exposed fish. Whereas, catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were decreased (P ≤ 0.05) significantly in both liver, and kidneys tissues after exposure to carbofuran. Interestingly, tilapia fish treated with carbofuran (0.246 mg/L) and fed (0.5 and 1 g/kg diet) allicin in both the 4th & 5th groups, respectively, decreased serum biochemical parameters; and hepatorenal (MDA) levels, as well as increased AChE, immunological profile, and oxidative stress biomarkers. The results suggested that co- administration of allicin at the high dose is more capable of improving the biochemical, and immunological parameters, and tissue antioxidant responses of carbofuran treated fish.

Antioxidant activities of Moringa oleifera leaf extract against pendimethalin-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.).

To assess the ameliorative effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf extract on haematological and biochemical changes, liver DNA damage and oxidative stress biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to a sublethal concentration (0.52 mg/l) of pendimethalin (PM). Tilapia fish were allocated into four equal groups in tri-replicates as follows: first group was the control group, second group was treated with MO (20 ml/30 l water), third group was exposed to 0.52 mg PM/l and fourth group was exposed to 0.52 mg PM/l and treated with MO leaf extract (20 ml/30 l water) for 28 days. At the end of this period, blood and liver tissue samples were collected and haematological and biochemical changes, hepatic DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress biomarkers were analysed. Pendimethalin caused significant reduction in haematological profile [White blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) counts, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and haematocrit (Ht) level]; meanwhile, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, uric acid, glucose, cortisol, cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly increased. On the other hand, serum total protein, albumin, globulin and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were decreased. Significant reduction in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels and marked increments of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and DNA fragmentation were observed in PM-exposed fish compared to the control group. The addition of Moringa oleifera leaf extract into the water could overcome the negative impacts of pendimethalin and normalise the examined parameters nearly to the control values. Moringa oleifera was used for the first time to protect tilapia fish against PM-induced toxicity. The present study revealed that Moringa oleifera has potent antioxidant and antigenotoxic actions against pendimethalin toxicity.

Ameliorative effect of propolis supplementation on alleviating bisphenol-A toxicity: Growth performance, biochemical variables, and oxidative stress biomarkers of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fingerlings.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the important pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and its detrimental effect on fish has a great concern. Propolis is a natural immune-stimulant that has various biological and pharmacological activities. Thus, its capability to alleviate the toxic effect of BPA on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) performance was assessed in a study based on a 2×2 factorial design with two levels of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and two waterborne BPA concentrations in triplicates. Fish (33.9±0.55g) were exposed to 0.0 or 1.64µgBPA/L for 6weeks during which fish were fed on diets containing 0.0 or 9.0gEEP/kg diet. Fish performance, biochemical variables, and oxidative stress enzymes were significantly affected by propolis supplementation, BPA exposure, and their interaction. Propolis supplementation significantly improved fish growth and feed intake, which were significantly retarded by BPA exposure. Additionally, total protein, albumin, globulin, and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) decreased significantly. Meanwhile aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, and uric acid increased significantly with exposure to BPA. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly due to BPA exposure, whereas significant reductions in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were also recorded compared to the control fish. It is noticed that EEP co-administration ameliorated these parameters. The present results evoked that propolis administration improves fish growth and alleviated BPA-induced toxicity.

Modulatory effect of lycopene against carbofuran toxicity in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus.

In the current study, African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was exposed to a sublethal concentration of carbofuran (CF) to investigate its negative effects on biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers. Also, the putative role of lycopene (LYC) administration in alleviating these negative effects was evaluated. Fish were divided into six groups in triplicates as follows: group I was without treatment, group II was orally administered corn oil, group III was orally administered 18 mg LYC/kg body weight, group IV was exposed to 0.121 mg CF/L, group V was orally administered 9 mg LYC/kg body weight and exposed to 0.121 mg CF/L, and group VI was orally administered 18 mg LYC/kg body weight and exposed to 0.121 mg CF/L for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, blood and tissue (liver and kidney) samples were collected and biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers were analysed. Also, histopathological changes were determined. Carbofuran caused significant increments of glucose, cortisol, aspartic amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine; meanwhile, serum acetylcholinesterase, total protein, albumin, and total lipids were significantly reduced. Significant increments in hepatic and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and marked reduction in hepatic and renal catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were observed in CF-exposed fish comparing to the control group. Treatment with LYC attenuated the CF-induced oxidative stress, and this improvement was more pronounced in fish received the high LYC dose (18 mg/kg body weight). Further, congestion of the central vein with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells, vacuolar necrosis, and haemorrhage was observed in the livers of CF-exposed fish. Oral administration of LYC reduced behavioural changes and histopathological alterations. All the altered biochemical parameters and antioxidant biomarkers were also restored to be near the normal levels. The obtained results evoked that LYC administration alleviated the destructive effects of carbofuran and reduced its toxicity effect on African catfish.

Induction of apoptosis and DNA damage by 4-nonylphenol in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and the antioxidant role of Cydonia oblonga.

In this study, we assessed the toxic effects of sub lethal concentration (0.1mgl-1) 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) on serum biochemical parameters, liver lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzymes of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus for 14 days and the ability of the quince leaf extract to alleviate the effects of (4-NP). Fish were categorized into four groups: control, exposure to 0.1mgl-1 4-NP, exposure to 0.1mgl-1 4-NP with quince leaf extract (10ml/30L water), and exposure to 0.1mgl-1 4-NP with quince leaf extract (20ml/30L water). 4-NP exposure induced a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of glucose, AST, ALT, creatinine, urea, uric acid, cholesterol, and G6PDH as well as, the percentages of hepatic LPO level, DNA fragmentation, and apoptotic erythrocytes (p<0.05). A significant (p<0.05) decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, and LDH were also recorded. Liver enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and TAC) were increased. Addition of the quince leaf extract into the water was able to reinstate the alterations in biochemical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, apoptotic level and hepatic DNA damage induced by 4-NP.

Grafting of gallic acid onto chitosan nano particles enhances antioxidant activities in vitro and protects against ochratoxin A toxicity in catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

This study aimed to prepare and characterize enzymatic modified chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) with gallic acid (GA) or octyl gallate (OG) to optimize its potential in human application and to evaluate their protective role against ochrtoxin A (OTA) toxicity in catfish. The modified CSNPs have average size around 90 nm with positive charge and high scavenging activity especially GA-CSNPs. In the in vivo study, catfish were divided into 8 groups and treated for 3 weeks as follow: the control group, OTA-treated group (1 mg/kg b.w.), the groups treated with CSNPs, GA-CSNPs or OG-CSNPs (280 mg/kg b.w.) anole or in combination with OTA. Blood, liver and kidney samples were collected for different analyses. OTA induced a significant biochemical disturbances accompanied with oxidative stress in liver and kidney, histological changes and increase DNA fragmentation in the kidney. Co-treatment with OTA plus the different CSNPs resulted in a significant improvement in all tested parameters and histological picture of the kidney. This improvement was more pronounced in the group treated with GA-CSNPs. It could be concluded that grafting of GA or its ester improved the properties of CSNPs. Moreover, GA-CSNPs showed strong scavenging properties than OG-CSNPs due to the blocking of carboxyl groups responsible of the scavenging activity in OG.