Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase Activity Research Articles

Addition of hydrolysed porcine mucosa to low-fishmeal feed improves intestinal morphology and the expressions of intestinal amino acids and small peptide transporters in hybrid groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂)

Aquaculture routinely uses fishmeal (FM) as feed, but its increasing cost has prompted the search for alternative protein sources. This study conducted an 8-week feeding trial to evaluate the effects of adding hydrolysed porcine mucosa (HPM) to low-FM feed on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and expressions of intestinal amino acids and small peptide transporters in hybrid groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂, initial weight 7.51 ± 0.03 g). Five iso-nitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated containing HPM in proportions of 0% (Group HPM0), 3% (HPM3), 6% (HPM6), 9% (HPM9) and 12% (HPM12). Specific growth and weight gain rates were significantly lower in fish fed >6% HPM (P < 0.05). Catalase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activities were significantly higher in Group HPM12 than in Group HPM0 (P < 0.05). In the distal intestine (DI), Group HPM6 had significantly higher villus length than Group HPM3, and significantly higher muscle thickness than Groups HPM0, HPM3 and HPM12 (P < 0.05). The alpha diversity index of intestinal microbiota was not significantly affected by HPM content (P > 0.05). Expressions of LAAT1 in the proximal intestine (PI), CAT2, SNAT3 and EAAT1 in the mid intestine (MI) and CAT2, B0AT3 and EAAT1 in the DI were highest in Group HPM3 (P < 0.05). Expressions of CAT1, CAT2, SNAT3 and EAAT1 in the PI, CAT1, PAT1, B0AT2 and B0AT3 in the MI, and PAT1 and SNAT3 in the DI were highest in Group HPM6 (P < 0.05). The expressions of PepT1 of the MI and DI were significantly higher in Groups HPM9 and HPM12 than in others (P < 0.05). The results show that adding 3% or 6% HPM to feed can improve DI morphology and increase intestinal amino acid transporter expression without reducing growth performance. Dietary supplementation with 12% HPM may improve antioxidant capacity and expression of small peptide transporters but may also cause liver damage and reduce growth performance. Therefore, HPM is a promising alternative to FM for use in aquaculture feeds.

Effect Of Postmenopausal On Some Liver Enzymesin Kirkuk Women’s

The menopause correlate with changes in physiological, psychological and biochemical characterized, and also body mass index. The study was analyzed the level of glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity (GPT) , glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT) , alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and estimation of body mass index (BMI) in postmenopausal women (n=20) (50-70)years old and premenopausal women (n=20) (30-40) years old. In postmenopausal women the activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) , glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (GOT) , alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and body mass index (BMI) was elevated significantly as compared to premenopausal women (p&lt;0.05) , (P&lt;0.004) , (P&lt;0.002) and (p&lt;0.016) respectably . This study showed with age advances liver become injury and gets abnormal liver functions.

Responses of metabolic enzymes (GOT, GPT and LDH) in an Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanorods under short-term exposure

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are extensively manufactured due to their potential properties and applications invarious fields such as biomedical, electrical and environmental. These particles are likely to reach the aquatic environmentand may cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations (1, 50 and 100 mg L-l) of TiO2 nanorods (NRs). The enzymatic activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in the liver and muscle of an Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala, under short-term exposure (96 h). The synthesised particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Visspectroscopy (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques before conducting the toxicity assay. The GOT and GPT activities were significantly elevated in both liver and muscle of fish treated with TiO2 nanorods (except 50 mg L-l in muscle for GPT). Similarly, the activity of LDH was also found to be elevated. The findings of the present investigation suggest that TiO2:NRs might have be absorbed, circulated, accumulated in liver and muscles of C. mrigala resulting in alterations in the enzyme activities. The results revealed that TiO2 nanorods induced alterations in GOT, GPT and LDH activities of fish at tested concentrations. The alterations of these enzymatic parameters can be useful for monitoring the environmental contamination of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in freshwater ecosystem.

Risk assessment of malathion on health indicators of catfish: Food and water security prospective research

Specimens of Heteropneustes fossilis were treated with various levels of malathion and its 96 h LC50 value was determined. The effects of sub-lethal concentrations of insecticide on hematological and biochemical profile of Heteropneustes fossilis were also registered. The 96 h LC50 value obtained was 8.81 mg/l. Exposure of sub-lethal doses (0.44, 0.88 and 1.76 mg/l which are 5, 10 and 20% of the LC50) of malathion to Heteropneustes fossilis for 3 weeks demonstrated that the toxicant had a detrimental effect on the blood profile of fish. Blood cell (Erythrocyte and leucocytes) counts (from 1.66 to 1.44 cell × 106 × mm3 and 37.93 to 30.24 cell × 103 × mm3; respectively), haemoglobin (Hb) level (from 6.21 to 3.54 g/dl) and haematocrit (Ht) estimates (from 34.26 to 30.52%) were reduced in the fishes exposed to malathion. Elevated level (from 46.25 to 92.45 mg/100 ml) of glucose and decreased quantity (29.95 to 24.25 g/dl) of protein in plasma was registered. Glycogen content in muscle and liver was also decreased. The activity of enzymes glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were high in the fish treated with pesticide. The possible causes for variations in the different parameters were identified and discussed.

Dietary bile acids supplementation improves the growth performance with regulation of serum biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota of growth retarded European eels (Anguilla anguilla) cultured in cement tanks

The present trial was conducted to investigate the effects of bile acids on growth performance, digestive enzymes activities, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota on growth of retarded European eels (Anguilla anguilla) cultured in cement tanks. The trial fish with similar body size (about 140g per fish) cultured in nine cement tanks (fish weight, 681.7±22.7 kg per tank) were randomly divided into three groups and fed diets with bile acids supplementation at a level of 0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. The trial period was 15 weeks. Dietary bile acids supplementation improved weight gain rate, feed intake, and activities of protease and lipase in intestine. There were also increases in levels of immunoglobulin and complements as well as activities of alkaline phosphatase (only in 1000 mg/kg bile acids group), acid phosphatase and lysozyme in serum. The levels of blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and activities of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase were decreased by dietary bile acids supplementation. There were no significant differences in growth performance or serum biochemical parameters except the lysozyme activity between two bile acids supplementation groups. Dietary bile acids supplementation could increase richness and decrease diversity of the intestinal microbiota with different enriched bacteria at genus level. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that 500 mg/kg bile acids supplementation in the diet of growth retarded European eels cultured in cement tanks could promote growth performance, improve some digestive enzymes activities, and beneficially regulate serum biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota.

Heat stress alters muscle protein and amino acid metabolism and accelerates liver gluconeogenesis for energy supply in broilers

Heat stress impairs growth performance and alters body protein and amino acid metabolism. This study was investigated to explore how body protein and amino acid metabolism changed under heat stress (HS) and the stress adaptation mechanism. A total of 144 broilers (28 d old) were divided into 3 treatment groups for 1 wk: HS group (32°C), normal control group (22°C), and pair-feeding group (22°C). We found that HS elevated the feed-to-gain ratio, reduced the ADFI and ADG, decreased breast muscle mass and plasma levels of several amino acids (glycine, lysine, threonine, and tyrosine), and increased serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activity and corticosterone (CORT) level and liver GOT and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities. Heat stress elevated muscle atrophy F-box mRNA expression and reduced mRNA expression of the 70-kD ribosomal protein S6 kinase in the breast muscle of broilers. Broilers in the HS group exhibited striking increases of mRNA expressions of solute carrier family 1 member 1, family 3 member 1, family 7 member 1, and family 7 member-like in the liver and liver gluconeogenesis genes (PCKc, PCKm, PC, and FBP1) in comparison with the other 2 groups. In conclusion, HS increased the circulating CORT level and subsequently caused muscle protein breakdown to provide amino acid substrates to liver gluconeogenesis responsible for energy supply.

The effects of dietary extract of mulberry leaf on growth performance, hypoxia-reoxygenation stress and biochemical parameters in various organs of fish

The study explored the effects of extract of mulberry leaves (EML) on the growth performance and hypoxia-reoxygenation stress as well as biochemical parameters in various organs of crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). The results indicated that dietary EML improved the growth of crucian carp. The appropriate concentration of EML for fish growth was estimated to be 46.93 g kg−1 diet. Moreover, dietary EML raised the digestive, absorptive and metabolic function by improving feed intake and alpha‐amylase, lipase, trypsin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activities in hepatopancreas or intestine and decreasing plasma ammonia content, and respiratory function by increasing GOT activities in the branchiae and hemoglobin level in red blood cells of crucian carp. After 30 days feeding trial, crucian carp was treated with hypoxia-reoxygenation. The result showed that dietary EML improved hypoxia tolerance in crucian carp. The appropriate concentration of EML for hypoxia tolerance was estimated to be 57.21 g kg−1 diet. Hypoxia-reoxygenation stimulated the loss of partial digestive, absorptive, respiratory and metabolic function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cellular component oxidation in the digestive and respiratory organs, suggesting the ability of hypoxia-reoxygenation to induce oxidative lesion in fish. However, dietary EML reduced the oxidative lesion in a way of suppressing the production of ROS and oxidation of cellular component and elevating activities of enzymatic antioxidant and levels of non-enzymatic antioxidant in the digestive and respiratory organs of fish caused by hypoxia-reoxygenation. Therefore, EML can be utilized as an inhibitor of hypoxia-reoxygenation stress in fish.

Toxic effects of waterborne ammonia exposure on hematological parameters, oxidative stress and stress indicators of juvenile hybrid grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀

Juvenile hybrid grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ (mean weight: 26.5 ± 2.8 g, mean length: 11.8 ± 1.3 cm) were exposed to different, sub-lethal levels of waterborne ammonia (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg NH4+/L) for 2 weeks. We assessed the hematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and stress responses of juvenile hybrid grouper after 1 week and after 2 weeks. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, were significantly decreased by ammonia exposure. Plasma components such as the magnesium and total protein contents, and the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities were significantly altered by ammonia exposure; however, no changes in the magnesium levels were detected. Antioxidant responses, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities, were also significantly affected by ammonia exposure. Stress indicator levels, i.e., plasma cholesterol and heat shock protein 70 levels, were significantly increased by ammonia exposure. The results of this study indicated that ammonia exposure has toxic effects on juvenile hybrid grouper and affects their hematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and stress responses.

Sea Cucumber Peptides Improved the Mitochondrial Capacity of Mice: A Potential Mechanism to Enhance Gluconeogenesis and Fat Catabolism during Exercise for Improved Antifatigue Property.

Sea cucumber promotes multifaceted health benefits. However, the mechanisms of sea cucumber peptides (Scp) regulating the antifatigue capacity is still unknown. The present study is aimed at further elucidating the effects and mechanisms of Scp on the antifatigue capacity of mice. At first, C57BL/6J mice were assigned into four groups named Con, L-Scp, M-Scp, and H-Scp and received diets containing Scp (0%, 0.15%, 0.3%, and 0.5%, respectively) for continuous 30 days. On the 21th day, a fore grip test was conducted on mice. On the 25th day, a rotating rod test was conducted on mice. On the 30th day, the quantities of glycogen and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were determined in 8 random mice and another 8 mice were forced to swim for 1 hour before slaughter for detecting biochemical indicators. It was observed that the Scp groups significantly prolonged the running time in rotarod, increased forelimb grip strength, improved lactic acid (LD) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in the serum, decreased lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) activities in the serum, increased blood glucose (BG) and glycogen (GN) levels in the liver and skeletal muscle after swimming, increased the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the skeletal muscle and heart, and improved antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, Scp treatment significantly elevated the mRNA and protein relative levels of power-sensitive factors, lipid catabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis and significantly upregulated mRNA levels of gluconeogenesis. Besides, mtDNA before the swimming test was increased in the three Scp groups. These results show that Scp treatment has antifatigue capacity. Furthermore, these results suggest that improved energy regulation and antioxidant capacity may be the result of improved mitochondrial function.

Effect of acute exposure to ammonia and BFT alterations on Rhynchocypris lagowski: Digestive enzyme, inflammation response, oxidative stress and immunological parameters

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a new green culture technology that is intended not merely to eradicate nitrogenous residues but also enhance immunity and antioxidant activity in aquatic animals. A 56-day feeding trial and a 96 h ammonia challenge test were implemented to evaluate the effect of acute exposure to ammonia and BFT alterations on Rhynchocypris lagowski: digestive enzyme, inflammation response, oxidative stress and immunological parameters in zero water exchange tanks. According to the differences of C/N ratios, the experiment was divided into four groups: C/N 10.8:1 (control group), C/N 15:1, C/N 20: 1 and C/N 25:1. The results provided evidence that weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly elevated in C/N 20, while food conversion rate (FCR) was considerably decreased (P < 0.05) compared to the control. Significant increases in digestive enzyme amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), protease (PRS) and cellulase (CES) activity; Immune enzyme complement C3, complement C4, Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) activity; Serum biochemical lysozyme (LSZ), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity; Inflammation TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 of R. lagowskis were found in the C/N 20 group after a 56-day feeding trial and a challenging trial (P < 0.05). Comparing the antioxidant capacity of R. lagowski in gills, brains and spleen of juveniles from the four experimental groups, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT) activity and glutathion reductases (GR) activity of juveniles in the C/N 20 group were significant higher (P < 0.05), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was considerably lower than that in the control. Overall, these findings suggest that BFT not only can enhance R. lagowski growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and strengthen antioxidant status but also upgrade immune response, improve the ability of resistance to ammonia stress.

Evaluation of toxicological responses and promising biomarkers of topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) exposed to fipronil at environmentally relevant levels.

Fipronil is an insecticide commonly used in agriculture. We report here on the sublethal and sub-chronic effects of fipronil on non-target topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) at environmentally relevant levels. The results showed that fipronil did not cause significant changes in brain acetylcholinesterase activities, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in the intestine, and GST, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activities in the liver tissues at environmentally relevant levels for 96-h exposure. In the further test for a 12-day exposure, dose-dependent responses of the serum GPT and GOT activities were observed in all treated groups with sublethal concentrations of fipronil. Furthermore, fipronil could reduce the liver mitochondrial membrane fluidity of P. parva, especially with high concentration of fipronil at high temperature. The results suggest that serum GPT and GOT in P. parva might be useful biomarkers for effects of fipronil exposure at environmentally relevant level, and reducing fluidity of liver mitochondrial membrane may be one toxic mechanism of fipronil.

Invivo hepatoprotective potential of extracts obtained from floral spikes of Prunella vulgaris L

BackgroundPrunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal, has been extensively used in the traditional system of medicines. The plant has been found to contain a number of bioactive molecules including those having radical scavenging property which indicates its potential for the treatment of those diseases which are induced by free radical damage like drug-induced hepatotoxicity. ObjectiveThe current study was undertaken to investigate the flavonoid and total phenolic content and evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of various extracts obtained from floral spikes of P. vulgaris. Material and methodsFlavonoid and otal phenolic contents were obtained from the standard curves of Gallic acid as per the reported methods. The extent of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (500 mg/kg b.w, p.o daily for 14 days), hepatoprotective potential of extracts (200 mg/kg b.w/day, orally) and standard drug silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w/day, orally) were evaluated by analyzing various biochemical parameters like Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Total Proteins, Total and Direct Bilirubin and detailed histopathology of rat livers. ResultsMethanolic extract showed higher quantity of flavonoids and total phenolic content followed by ethanolic, hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts. Treatment of rats with extracts showed a highly significant reduction in the enzyme activities of Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, and serum levels of Total, Direct Bilirubin (P < 0.01) and highly significant elevation in Total Proteins (P < 0.01) when compared with the toxic control group. This was further confirmed by histopathological evaluation, where almost normal hepatic architecture or very less hepatic damage was observed in groups treated with extracts and silymarin compared to paracetamol treated group. Results from biochemical and histopathological evaluation indicated that among the extracts methanolic extract was most effective. ConclusionFrom the results, it can be concluded that the extracts obtained from floral spikes of P. vulgaris possess highly significant hepatoprotective activity which could be attributed to its radical scavenging potential and hepatic regeneration. This is further authenticated by the presence of phenolic and flavonoids which are known to possess radical scavenging properties.

Rosemary Leaf Extract Inhibits Glycation, Breast Cancer Proliferation, and Diabetes Risks

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generated from glycation can cause inflammation-related diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The bioactive compounds of rosemary extract (RE) were extracted and incubated with sugar-protein rich food and breast cancer cell MCF-7 to investigate its inhibitory effect on glycation and cancer cell proliferation, respectively. The diabetic rat was dosed with RE to investigate its effect on blood glucose, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, anti-oxidation capacity alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT). The results show that RE contained seven major phenolics ranging from 17.82 mg/g for rosemarinic acid to 0.01 mg/g for ferulic acid on dry weight basis. It significantly lowered AGEs, carboxymethyl lysine (CML), and protein glycation in a sugar-protein rich intermediate-moisture-food (IMF) model. Furthermore, the survival rates of MCF-7 cells decreased to 6.02 and 2.16% after 96 h of incubation with 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL of RE, respectively. The blood glucose, MDA, CHO, TG, and LDLs in diabetic rats of RE treatment were decreased. The RE treatment also enhanced the T-AOC and SOD activity. Furthermore, the RE treatment improved liver function through improving ALP, GPT, and GOT activities in diabetic rats. The results provide important information for the nutriaceutical and pharmaceutical application of rosemary extract.

Long-Term Effects of Different Nitrogen Levels on Growth, Yield, and Quality in Sugarcane

Nitrogen (N) plays an important role in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) growth and development; however, long-term effects of N application levels on cane and sugar production in different sugarcane cultivars under field conditions remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the agronomic, yield, and quality traits in three sugarcane cultivars (GT11, B9, and ROC22) under different N levels (0, 150, and 300 kg/ha urea) from 2015 to 2019. Continuous four-year field experiments of plant and ratoon crops were carried out by using two-factor split-plot design. The results showed that N fertilizer application improved the tillering rate, stalk diameter, plant height, stalk weight, millable stalks/ha, cane yield, sugar yield and juice rate of cane, and the difference between N application and non-N application was significant. The cane yield, millable stalks/ha, juice rate, and juice gravity purity increased with the increase of N application, but the milled juice brix and sucrose % cane decreased with the increase of N application. The sugar yield was the highest at 150 kg/ha urea application, while the cane yield was the highest at 300 kg/ha urea application. Different N fertilizer application levels significantly regulated the activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and the contents of chlorophyll and nitrate N in plant leaves, which reflected the regulation in nitrogen metabolism and alteration in dry matter production and distribution, cane yield and sugar accumulation in different sugarcane cultivars. During the four-year experiment duration, the cane yield and sugar yield generally showed ROC22 &gt; B9 &gt; GT11. These data suggested that 300 kg/ha urea application was suitable for the plant and first ratoon crops, and 150 kg/ha urea application was suitable for the second and third ratoon crops. Both cane and sugar yields could be the highest in a four-year production cycle under this circumstance.

The role of CaSR expression in diabetic cirrhosis injury and fibrosis in rats

To observe the role of calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) in the pathogenesis of diabetic liver injury. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (control, n=10) and diabetes group (T1D, STZ 60 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection, n=30), and the samples were collected at the 2nd, 4th and 8th week. Rats hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were randomly divided into normal control group (Control, 10% FBS-DMEM culture, n=5), high glucose group (HG, 10% FBS-DMEM+40 mmol/L glucose, treated for 48 h, n=5) and CaSR inhibitor group (HG+Calhex 231, 10% FBS-DMEM+40 mmol/L glucose+2.5 μmol/L Calhex231 for 48h, n=5). The body weight, blood glucose, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were measured dynamically. The changes of liver morphology and ultrastructure were observed by HE staining and Masson staining by transmission electron microscopy. The changes of CaSR and liver fibrosis related indexes were detected by Western blot. Compared with the control group, diabetic rats lost weight, while blood glucose, AST and ALT increased significantly, and the expression of CaSR, collagen 1(CO 1), collagen 3 (CO 3), matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-1, -2 and -9 increased significantly. The results of the cell model were basically the same as those in vivo. Compared with the control group, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was increased, indicating that HSC differentiated into myofibroblasts in HG group. The expression of the main components of ECM (CO 1 and CO 3), and the key enzyme of ECM degradation (MMP9) were also increased, while CaSR inhibitor, Calhex231, could reduce the above changes. The up-regulation of CaSR expression is involved in the occurrence of diabetic liver injury and fibrosis.

Modulation of the growth performance, body composition and nonspecific immunity of crucian carp Carassius auratus upon Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide

The present study investigated dietary Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide (EPP) on the growth performance, body composition and non-specific immunity of crucian carp Carassius auratus. Crucian carps with body weight of 51.24 ± 4.08 g were randomly divided into five groups: one group was fed with basic diet, while the other four groups were fed with diets containing 20, 40, 60 and 80 g/kg EPP. After 60 days of feeding, dietary administration of 40 g/kg EPP increased the body weight gain rate, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, body crude protein content, intestine digestive enzyme activities, serum lysozyme activity, acid phosphatase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, complement 3 level, superoxide dismutase activity and catalase activity and decreased body fat content and serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, alanine aminotransferase activity and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity compared with those of the control group. All levels of EPP improved the resistance to Aeromonas hydrophilia compared with the control group. The results indicated that EPP could promote the growth of crucian carp and improve their disease resistance and may be used as a dietary supplement for crucian carp.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of a Goji Berry Extract (Lycium barbarum) in Rats Subjected to Inflammation by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of a Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) fruit extract in Wistar rats submitted to a palatable diet presenting systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Forty-two Wistar female rats (Rattus Novergicus) were used with 60 days old. The animals were feed for 60 days and divided in six groups (n=7): standard diet+water; standard diet+L. barbarum; palatable diet+water; palatable diet+L. barbarum; standard diet+water+LPS; standard diet+L. barbarum+LPS. A significant difference was shown between the analyzed groups concerning C-reactive protein, with the standard diet+water+LPS group presenting the highest inflammatory response in comparison to the other groups. Decreased inflammatory response was observed in the group administered a palatable diet along with the fruit extract when compared to the group that received only a palatable diet. Significant decrease in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity was observed in the standard diet+L. barbarum+LPS group compared to the standard diet+water group, as well as in the palatable diet+L. barbarum group compared to the palatable diet+water group. A significant increase in creatinine in the standard diet+water+LPS group was observed in according to the L. barbarum administration groups. The gene expression of the inflammatory markers genes in the liver showed a significant increase in TNF-α and IL-6 genes in the group treated with standard diet+L. barbarum+LPS when compared to the standard diet+LPS group. Thus, the administered L. barbarum extract displays the potential to reduce inflammatory responses induced by LPS and a palatable diet.

Dietary α‐Ketoglutarate supplementation alleviates harmful effects of high environmental ammonia on grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

Current intensive fish farming usually causes high environmental ammonia (HEA) in ponds that is toxic to fish. α-Ketoglutarate (α-KG) can be rapidly transaminated to glutamic acid and further aminated to glutamine. Therefore, we hypothesized that dietary α-KG supplementation would alleviate HEA toxicity to fish. To test the hypothesis, 270 healthy grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) juveniles were randomly assigned to control, HEA (18.37 mg/L ammonia) and HEA + α-KG (0.75% of α-KG) groups. Ammonia and free amino acid content in plasma and brain, liver glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity, and urea and glycogen content were measured on the first, seventh and 42nd days. Our results showed short-term HEA exposure (1 day) led to a significant ammonia accumulation in the brain and plasma and significantly decreased glutamic and aspartic acid content in the brain and increased glutamine content in the brain and plasma. The long-term HEA exposure (42 days) caused significant reductions in glycine and arginine content in the brain tissue. In most cases, dietary α-KG supplementation alleviated the fluctuations in FAA content in the brain and plasma. Our results suggested dietary α-KG alleviated HEA toxicity to grass carp.

Effects of bioflocs with different C/N ratios on growth, immunological parameters, antioxidants and culture water quality in Opsariichthys kaopingensis Dybowski

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a new ecological aquaculture technology that is intended not only to eradicate pollutants and elevate feed utilization but also to enhance immunity and antioxidant activity in aquatic animals. A 28-day feeding trial was implemented to evaluate the effects of promoted bioflocs on the water quality, growth performance, immunological parameters and antioxidant status of Opsariichthys kaopingensis Dybowski juveniles in low exchange culture tanks. Three hundred sixty healthy O. kaopingensis juveniles (7.1 ± 0.02 g) were irregularly distributed among 12 tanks. Four C:N ratios in triplicate tanks were tried: C/N = 10.8:1 with a commercial diet (control), C/N = 15:1, C/N = 20:1 and C/N = 25:1. Anhydrous glucose (99.97%) was added to the commercial diet to maintain elevated carbon ratio in the three treatments. Uninterrupted 24-hr aeration was supplied during the test by using an air-stone connected to an air pump to develop the bioflocs in the water column. The results indicated that BFT significantly reduced total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite (NO2−-N), total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and water transparency (Secchi depth) in C/N 15, C/N 20 and C/N 25 (p < .05), whereas the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) concentrations gradually increased over time. In addition, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), survival and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly elevated in C/N 20, while food conversion rate (FCR) was considerably decreased (p < .05) in C/N 20, compared with the control. Significant increases in lysozyme (LSZ), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities of O. kaopingensis were found in the C/N 20 group after a 28-day feeding trial (p < .05). Comparing the antioxidant capacity of O. kaopingensis in gills, brains, kidneys, hepatopancreas, intestines and serum of juveniles from the four experimental groups, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity of juveniles in the C/N 20 group were significant higher (p < .05), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was considerably lower, than in the control. Overall, these findings suggest that BFT not only can enhance O. kaopingensis growth performance and strengthen antioxidant status but also can upgrade immune response, ensuring the sustainable development of aquaculture.

Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila auriculata seeds in cyproterone acetate-induced sexual dysfunction in male albino rats.

Male infertility has become a global concern. Different conventional medicines with some side effects generally are used for the management of male infertility. To search out the potent aphrodisiac agent without side effect, an approach has been taken to prevent the cyproterone acetate (CPA)-treated male infertility by ethanolic extract of seed of Hygrophila auriculata in albino rat. CPA is used for the treatment of prostate cancer. It has anti-androgenic properties and suppresses the spermatogenesis process. Count, motility and viability of spermatozoa, number of hypo-osmotic tail swelled spermatozoa and serum testosterone level were significantly decreased in CPA-treated rat. CPA also caused significant diminution of activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and elevation of malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes levels. All parameters were significantly restored after the treatment of H.auriculata extract to the CPA-treated rats. Histological study revealed significant rectification of seminiferous tubular diameter and spermatogenic cells in extract-treated group. Body weight, organo-somatic indices, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities were significantly recovered towards control in H.auriculata-treated group. It is concluded that ethanolic extract of H.auriculata has androgenic and antioxidant properties that can improve male infertility without metabolic toxicity.