Tissues Of Carp Research Articles

Impact of chronic exposure to trichlorfon on intestinal barrier, oxidative stress, inflammatory response and intestinal microbiome in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Trichlorfon is an organic phosphorus pesticide used to control different parasitic infections in aquaculture. The repeated, excessive use of trichlorfon can result in environmental pollution, thus affecting human health. This study aimed to determine the effects of different concentrations of trichlorfon (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L) on the intestinal barrier, oxidative stress, inflammatory response and intestinal microbiome of common carp. Trichlorfon exposure significantly reduced the height of intestinal villus and decreased the expression levels of tight junction genes, such as claudin-2, occludin and ZO-1, in common carp. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as CAT, SOD and GSH-Px, exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing trichlorfon concentrations, while the contents of MDA and ROS elevated in the intestinal tissues of common carp. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly upregulated by trichlorfon exposure. The level of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β was remarkably higher in 1.0 mg/L trichlorfon treatment group compared to control group. In addition, the results demonstrated that trichlorfon exposure could affect the microbiota community composition and decreased the community diversity in the gut of common carp. Notably, the proportions of some probiotic bacteria, namely, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia, were observed to be reduced after trichlorfon exposure. In summary, the findings of this study indicate that exposure to different concentrations of trichlorfon can damage intestinal barrier, induce intestinal oxidative damage, trigger inflammatory reaction and alter gut microbiota structure in common carp.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Bcl-xl: transcriptional regulation and anti-apoptosis analysis.

Bcl-xl, Bax2, and NF-κB are well-known to be involved in anti-apoptosis response. Although Bcl-xl has been reported in fish, the NF-κB-mediated regulatory mechanism and anti-apoptotic function are still unclear. Here, we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA sequence of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Bcl-xl (CiBcl-xl) and its promoter region sequence. The full-length cDNA of CiBcl-xl is 2836bp with an ORF of 627bp encoding a polypeptide of 208 amino acids. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that CiBcl-xl shared high homology with Dario rerio Bcl-xl (DrBcl-xl). After stimulation with Poly I:C, the expression of CiBcl-xl in CIK cells and various tested tissues of grass carp were significantly upregulated. To further understand the transcriptional control of fish Bcl-xl induced by NF-κB, CiC-rel and Cip65 were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and purified by affinity chromatography with the Ni-NTA His-Bind resin. In vitro, gel mobility shift assays demonstrated the high affinity of CiC-rel and Cip65 with CiBcl-xl promoter. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that CiC-rel and Cip65 activated CiBcl-xl promoter. Also, knockdown of CiC-rel and Cip65 reduced the expression of Bcl-xl. Therefore, similar to those of mammals, fish C-rel and p65 can upregulate the transcription of Bcl-xl. In addition, we found that overexpression of CiBcl-xl in CIK cells increased the cell activity and inhibited cell apoptosis, while overexpression of Bax2 promoted cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, co-transfection of CiBcl-xl and CiBax2 into cells can ease up apoptotic rate. To further investigate the molecular basis of synergistic effect of Bcl-xl and Bax2, we showed that Bcl-xl and Bax2 interacted with each other. The results suggested that Bcl-xl executed its anti-apoptotic function by binding to and inhibiting the pro-apoptotic activity of Bax2.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of bronopol in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon Idella , at 15 and 20°C

This study explored the pharmacokinetic characteristics of bronopol in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) under different temperatures. The concentrations of bronopol in the plasma and tissues (kidney, liver and muscle) of grass carp after soaking in bronopol (6.75 µg/ml) at 15 and 20°C were determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The concentrations of bronopol in both plasma and tissue first increased and then decreased with soaking time at both tested temperatures. The peak bronopol concentrations at 15°C (plasma: 8.934 µg/ml; kidney: 9.23 µg/g; liver: 9.47 µg/g; and muscle: 7.98 µg/g) were slightly lower than those at 20°C (plasma: 9.654 µg/ml; kidney: 10.83 µg/g; liver: 13.40 µg/g; and muscle: 8.68 µg/g). In an analysis of pharmacokinetic parameters, the bronopol concentration–time profiles for plasma were best described by a two-compartment, open pharmacokinetic model with first-order absorption. The t1/2β for plasma at 15 and 20°C was 82.933 and 92.041 hr, respectively, indicating that the elimination of bronopol was faster at 15°C than at 20°C. In addition, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ values of bronopol were 477.892 and 495.809 µg/L hr at 15°C and 495.809 and 589.859 µg/L hr at 20°C, indicating that the content of bronopol in the organism was higher at higher temperature.

Genome-wide identification, evolution, and mRNA expression of complement genes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Complement is a complex component of innate immune system, playing an important role in defense against pathogens and host homeostasis. The complement system has been comprehensively studied in mammals, however less is known about complement in teleost, especially in tetraploid common carp (Cyprinus carpio). In this study, a total of 110 complement genes were identified and characterized in common carp, which include almost all the homologs of mammalian complement genes. These genes were classified into three pathways (alternative pathways, lectin pathways and classical pathways), similar to those in mammals. Phylogenetic and selection pressure analysis showed that the complement genes were evolving-constrained and the function was conserved. Most of the complement genes were highly expressed in spleen, liver, brain and skin among the tested 12 health tissues of common carp. After Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the common carp, many members of complement genes were activated to bring about an immune response and expressed to against any pathogenic encroachment. Gene expression divergences which were found between two homoeologous genes suggested the functional divergences of the homoeologous genes after the 4R WGD event, revealing the evolutionary fate of the tetraploid common carp after the recent WGD.

Molecular cloning of Gibel carp (<i>Carassius auratus gibelio</i>) complement component C3 and its expression profile after Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 infection

The complement systems play an important role in innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, the complement C3 gene, designated CagC3, was cloned and sequenced from Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). The expression pattern of CagC3 in different tissues of healthy Gibel carp and after challenge with Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. The full-length CagC3 cDNA was 5131 bp with an ORF of 4950 bp, encoding a predicted protein of 1649 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that CagC3 has conserved domains and residues known to be critical for C3 function. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CagC3 clustered with homologs from common carp and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). CagC3 is expressed in all examined tissues of healthy Gibel carp, with the highest expression in liver. In vivo, after CyHV-2 challenge, CagC3 transcription was significantly upregulated in liver, spleen and kidney with the peaks at 24 hr, 2 d, and 2 d, respectively. In vitro, CagC3 expression in the Gibel carp brain cell line showed the same pattern as that in vivo after stimulation with CyHV-2 or poly(I:C). However, CagC3 expression was downregulated at 24 hr after induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and then reached the peak at 2 d. These results suggest that CagC3 is involved in the innate immune response of Gibel carp to viral infection.

Isolation and characterization of phage AHP-1 and its combined effect with chloramphenicol to control Aeromonas hydrophila.

To develop an alternative bio-control measure for multi-drug resistant pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila, which causes motile Aeromonas septicemia in fish, novel virulent phage (AHP-1) was isolated from carp tissues. Morphological analysis by transmission electron microscopy revealed that AHP-1 belongs to Myoviridae family. AHP-1 displayed 81% of moderate adsorption by 25 min, and latent period of 40 min with burst size of 97 PFU mL-1 at an optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) 0.1. AHP-1 was stable over a broad range of pH (4-11), temperature (4-50 °C), and salinity (0.1-3.5%). Both time and MOI dependent in vitro A. hydrophila growth inhibition was observed with AHP-1. AHP-1 (10 MOI) showed higher growth inhibition against A. hydrophila than chloramphenicol (5 μg mL-1), and combined treatment was more promising than individuals. Immune gene expression analysis of zebrafish upon continuous bath exposure to AHP-1 resulted significantly higher (il-6 and sod-1) or slight induction (tnf-α, il1-β, il-10, and cxcl-8a) than controls at beginning of the phage exposure, but those lowered to basal level by day 12 post-phage exposure. It suggests no adverse immune responses have occurred for the AHP-1 dose that used, and have potential for the phage therapy. Further detailed in vivo studies are needed to confirm the protective efficacy of newly isolated AHP-1 against A. hydrophila infection.

Organophosphorus flame retardants in a typical freshwater food web: Bioaccumulation factors, tissue distribution, and trophic transfer

Water, sediment, and wild aquatic species were collected from an electronic waste (e-waste) polluted pond in South China. This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation, tissue distribution, and trophic transfer of organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) in these aquatic organisms. The concentrations of PFRs detected in the analyzed organisms were between 1.7 and 47 ng/g wet weight (ww). Oriental river prawn and snakehead exhibited the highest and lowest levels, respectively. Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) were dominant contaminants, accounting for approximately 86% of the total sum. The mean values of bioaccumulation factors (BCFs) and logarithmic biota-sediment accumulation factors (log BSAFs) for individual PFRs varied from 6.6 to 1109 and from −2.0 to 0.41, respectively. Both log BCFs and log BSAFs of PFRs were significantly and positively correlated with their octanol-water partitioning coefficient (log KOW). The concentrations of PFRs in tissues of large mud carp and snakehead were significantly and positively correlated with the lipid content (each p < 0.05) and the liver, kidney, and gill exhibited high PFR levels. When the concentration was expressed on a lipid basis, liver exhibited the lowest level, indicating the probable effects of metabolism. Significantly positive correlation was also found between lipid content and total PFR concentration in muscle of all aquatic organisms, given the strong correlation between lipid content and the concentration of TnBP. Trophic magnification factors (TMF) of TnBP and TPhP were lower than 1 (0.57 and 0.62), indicating that these PFRs undergo trophic dilution in this aquatic food web.

Metal Accumulation and Effect of Vitamin C and E in Accumulated Heavy Metals in Different Tissues in Common Carp (&lt;i&gt;Cyprinus carpio&lt;/i&gt;) Treated with Heavy Metals

Metal Accumulation and Effect of Vitamin C and E in Accumulated Heavy Metals in Different Tissues in Common Carp (&lt;i&gt;Cyprinus carpio&lt;/i&gt;) Treated with Heavy Metals

Effects of emodin on ABC transporter gene expression in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) exposed to diazinon.

This study aimed to investigate the function of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes in grass carp treated with emodin combined with diazinon (DZN) exposure. The transcription levels of five ABC transporter genes in different tissues of grass carp and at different time points were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The analysis of different tissues showed higher ABCB1 expression in the skin (26-fold) and gill (2-fold) than in the liver. In addition, ABCB11 expression was higher in the skin (109-fold) and gill (57-fold) than in the liver, ABCC1 was more highly expressed in the gill (50-fold) than in the liver, and ABCG2 was expressed at higher levels in the skin (659-fold, p < 0.01), gill (628-fold, p < 0.01) and liver (659-fold, p < 0.01) than in brain tissue. The analysis of different time points revealed that the ABCB1, ABCB11, ABCC1, ABCC2 and ABCG2 genes were highly expressed at 24 h in the liver in the experimental group. However, analysis of the intestinal tissue of the experimental group showed that the expression of ABCB1 and ABCB11 peaked at 6 h, the expression of ABCC1 and ABCC2 peaked at 5 d, and the expression of ABCG2 peaked at 3 d. Furthermore, the emodin concentrations in the liver and intestine reached their peak levels (50.18 and 117.24 μg·ml−1, respectively) after 48 and 1 h of treatment with emodin combined with DZN, respectively. The peak DZN concentrations in the liver (1.42 ng·ml−1) and intestine (0.2 ng·ml−1) were detected 3 and 6 h after emodin treatment combined with DZN, respectively. In conclusion, this study shows that the transcript levels of ABC transporters respond to the presence of emodin, which indicates their potential involvement in and contribution with the metabolic process in grass carp.

Effects of Iron Oxide Nano-Particles on the Intestinal Tissue of Common Carp, Cyprinus Carpio

Background: The application of nano-particles (NPs) in various industries is growing. Since their toxicity is not clearly understood, they can cause adverse effects on the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological effects of iron oxide nano-particles on the small intestine of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Methods: Four experimental treatments were designed (15 fish/treatment). Treatment 1 was the controls while Treatments 2, 3 and 4 were experimental. The experimental groups were exposed to 50, 75 and the 100 mg/L of iron oxide NPs, respectively. On days 14, 21 and 28, the fish were randomly picked from each tank, samples of the small intestine were dissected, and were examined for both the accumulation of the iron NPs and the tissue histopathologies. Results: The highest concentration of iron accumulation was detected for Treatment 3 on day 21, compared to all other treatment groups (p&lt;0.05). However, iron accumulation in the tissue declined unexpectedly after day 21 despite the continued treatments at 100 mg/L of the iron NPs. The histopathological examinations revealed that the treatment beyond 21 days caused damages to the intestinal epithelial cells, including enterocytes, villi and the goblet cells. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the effect of iron oxide NPs on the small intestinal tissue was dependant on the dose and duration of exposure. We conclude that the iron accumulation in the small intestine declined despite increasing the iron oxide NPs concentration and the exposure duration secondary to damages caused to the intestinal epithelial cell layer.

ВПЛИВ ІОНІВ МАНГАНУ, ЦИНКУ, КУПРУМУ ТА ПЛЮМБУМУ НА ВМІСТ ВІЛЬНИХ АМІНОКИСЛОТ В ОРГАНІЗМІ КОРОПА

The influence of ions of Manganese, Zinc, Copper and Lead in two concentrations, which corresponded to 2 and 5 MPC, on the content of free amino acids in the carp organism was studied. It is shown, that free amino acids are compounds, that are actively used in the energy supply of fish organisms. Their metabolism is one of the factors, that provides biochemical adaptation of fish to the changes of the conditions in the aquatic environment. The leading role in this process in carp organism have glycine, the content of which in the muscles of the control fish is quite high. It exceeds all other concentrations of amino acids in this tissue, and when exposed to the organism of fish, the ions of the investigated metals decreases to the greatest extent. Among other amino acids, it should be noted the growth both in the muscles and in the liver of experimental fish the amount of sulfur-containing. An important role in the detoxification of ammonia, which is formed under the influence on the organism of carp the elevated metal concentrations, belongs to aspartic and glutamic acids. In our studies, the content of free amino acids in the liver and muscle of fish is reduced by the action of metal ions, which may indicate an active involvement of aspartic and glutamic acid in the processes of detoxification of these ions. In general, the dynamics of free amino acids in carp tissues reflects the general tendencies of metabolism in its organism. Oxidation catabolism of amino acids of skeletal muscle and liver of fish is an important part of the integral physiological and biochemical mechanism, which provides energy homeostasis in their organism in conditions of intoxication.

Selection of suitable candidate genes for miRNA expression normalization in Yellow River Carp (Cyprinus carpio. var)

Yellow River carp is widely cultivated in the world due to its economic value in aquaculture, and the faster growth of females compared to males. It is believed that microRNAs (miRNA) are involved in gonadal differentiation and development. qPCR is the most preferred method for miRNA functional analysis. Reliable reference genes for normalization in qRT-PCR are the key to ensuring the accuracy of this method. The aim of present research was to evaluate as well as identify the efficacy of reference genes for miRNA expression using qRT-PCR in Yellow River carp. Nine ncRNAs (miR-101, miR-23a, let7a, miR-26a, miR-146a, miR-451, U6, 5S, and 18S) were chosen and tested in four sample sets: (1) different tissues in adult carp, (2) different tissues in juvenile carp, (3) different early developmental stages of carp, and (4) different developmental stages of carp gonads. The stability and suitability values were calculated using NormFinder, geNorm, and BestKeeper software. The results showed that 5S was a suitable reference gene in different tissues of adult and juvenile carp. The genes 5S, 18S, and U6 were the most stable reference genes in the early developmental stages of carp. Let-7a and miR-23a were considered as the suitable reference genes in the development of gonads. All these reference genes were subsequently validated using miR-430. The results showed that genes 5S and 18S were the most suitable reference genes to normalize miRNA expression under normal growth conditions in early different developmental stages. The genes Let-7a, and miR-23a were the most suitable in different developmental stages. The present study is the first comprehensive study of the stability of miRNA reference genes in Yellow River carp, providing valuable as well as basic data for investigating more accurate miRNA expression during gonadal differentiation and development of carp.

Development of a PRiME Cleanup Procedure for the Purification of Avermectins in Grass Carps and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Avermectins were illegally used and detected in aquaculture recently. In this study, a process, robustness, improvements, matrix effects, ease of use (PRiME) pass-through solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed for the purification of avermectins in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) tissue. The eluate was directly analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The conditions were optimized by using 90% methanol (0.1% formic acid) as extracting solvent with volume of 3 mL. The MS/MS parameters were also tested for selecting the optimum precursor ions, such as [M+H]+ and [M+NH4]+. Afterwards, this methodology was validated in terms of linearity (0.9989–0.9997), limit of detection (LOD ≤ 1.10 μg kg−1), precision (RSD 1.88–4.85%), recovery (76.3–90.7%), etc., indicating its efficiency and robustness. Finally, five batches of grass carps (n = 6) from local markets were analyzed, and the results indicated the presence of abamectin in two fish samples originating from illegal use or cross contamination of drug. The PRiME technique can simplify the sample preparation procedure by avoiding the tedious steps, such as conditioning and washing. The successful application of the PRiME SPE and UPLC-MS/MS method indicated its superiority in detecting low levels of avermectins from the violation of regulation.

Transcriptome Profile Analysis on Ovarian Tissues of Autotetraploid Fish and Diploid Red Crucian Carp.

Polyploidization can significantly alter the size of animal gametes. Autotetraploid fish (RRRR, 4nRR = 200) (4nRR) possessing four sets of chromosomes were derived from whole-genome duplication in red crucian carp (RR, 2n = 100) (RCC). The diploid eggs of the 4nRR fish were significantly larger than the eggs of RCC. To explore the differences between the ovaries of these two ploidies of fishes at the molecular level, we compared the ovary transcriptome profiles of 4nRR fish and RCC and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 19,015 unigenes were differentially expressed between 4nRR fish and RCC, including 12,591 upregulated and 6,424 downregulated unigenes in 4nRR fish. Functional analyses revealed that eight genes (CDKL1, AHCY, ARHGEF3, TGFβ, WNT11, CYP27A, GDF7, and CKB) were involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell division, gene transcription, ovary development and energy metabolism, suggesting that these eight genes were related to egg size in 4nRR fish and RCC. We validated the expression levels of these eight DEGs in 4nRR fish and RCC using quantitative PCR. The study results provided insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the differences in crucian carp egg sizes.

Toxicity effects of mercury and silver nanoparticles on common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of mercury (Hg) and silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on histopathologic damage, mercury accumulation, and behavior pattern of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). In this regard, the fish were divided into six groups of Hg (one concentration), AgNPs (two concentrations), and Hg + AgNPs mixture (two concentrations) and one control group. Histopathological anomalies of various tissues of common carp was investigated using hematoxylin-eosin method. In this study, some histopathological changes in the intestine of carp such as degeneration, hemorrhage, increase in the number of goblet cells, and necrosis in the chemicals tested during different periods are observed. Moreover, results showed that the mercury uptake in tissues of common carp was increased in the presence of silver nanoparticles, so that the highest uptake of mercury in tissues was in gill tissues. In conclusion, the results indicated that the silver nanoparticles enhanced the toxicity and uptake of mercury in tissues of carp.

Synergic and Antagonistic Action of Active Principles on Chromium-Lead Antagonism - in vivo Experiments

Heavy metal pollution of the aquatic environment has become a major concern for the world. As natural water pollutants, heavy metals are among the most toxic due to their cumulative effect and the difficulty of being converted into insoluble compounds in the surface waters. Lead and its compounds are toxic to aquatic organisms, especially fish, even at low concentrations, being able to replace essential elements from the organism. Thus, we tested the concentration of chromium in tissues of Prussian carp�s fingerlings, exposed to chronic lead intoxication, following the synergic and antagonistic effects of some active principles from garlic and chlorella in various tissues. Our experiment was performed on 120 Prussian carps for 21-days as following: C group (without treatment), E1 group (75 ppm Pb into water as Pb(NO3)2 x �H2O), E2 group (75 ppm Pb into water+2% freeze dried garlic in feed), E3 group (75 ppm Pb into water + 2% freeze-dried chlorella in feed). At the end of the experimental period, tissue samples (gills, muscle, heart, skin and scales, intestine, liver, brain, gonads, and kidney) were sampled after anaesthesia. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was used to determination of chromium concentrations in tissues. Our results revealed that freeze-dried garlic presented antagonistic effect between administrated lead and tested chromium concentration, while the chlorella showed antagonistic and synergic action, depending on the organ tissue that we had analysed.

Toxicity assessment of arsenic on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and development of natural sorbents to reduce the bioconcentration by RSM methodology

The objective of the present study was firstly acute toxicity bioassay of arsenic on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and then the development of natural sorbent beds (clinoptilolite and pumice) to reduce bioconcentration of arsenic in muscle tissue were considered in comparative evaluation. In this regard, the acute toxicity of arsenic on juvenile fish was assessed according to the OECD guideline (No. 203). Moreover, the efficacy of clinoptilolite and pumice as natural sorbents was assessed to reduce bioconcentration of arsenic in the fish muscle tissue during a 21 day by response surface methodology (RSM) under central composite design (CCD). The most important point of this study was to evaluate the interactions between independent variables (clinoptilolite and pumice as sorbents and arsenic as pollutant) and arsenic bioconcentration in fish muscle tissue as a dependent variable (response). In these regards, a total of 24 sets of experiments (12 sets for clinoptilolite and pumice separately) were designed by the software to achieve the best adsorption conditions. According to the arsenic toxicity test, results as estimated by Probit method, the 96 h LC50 was 9.48 ± 1.01 mg/L. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) which was applied to modeling and optimization of response revealed that the predicted values were in relatively good agreement with the experimental data. Additionally, the obtained value for model desirability by clinoptilolite and pumice were 0.932 and 0.958, respectively. Overall, the obtained results indicate that both adsorbents reduced the bioconcentration of As (V) in the muscle tissue of common carp, but clinoptilolite was more effective.

Dietary arachidonic acid decreases the expression of transcripts related to adipocyte development and chronic inflammation in the adipose tissue of juvenile grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella

Overdevelopment of adipose tissue in cultured fish is one of the biggest issues plaguing current aquaculture industry, leading to unhealthy status of fishes and production losses. Diet supplemented with 0.30% arachidonic acid (ARA) has been found to reduce adipogenesis and inflammation in grass carp, but the potential mechanism is not comprehensively understood. To fully reveal the effects of dietary ARA on the mRNA profiles of adipose tissue, transcriptome techniques were applied in this study. A 10-weeks feeding experiment was performed using two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic purified diets, namely ARA-free (control) and 0.30% ARA (ARA group). Results showed increased ARA content and decreased intraperitoneal fat index and adipocyte size in the adipose tissue of fish fed ARA (P < 0.05). A total of 611 and 973 genes of the adipose tissue were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively, in fish fed ARA (P < 0.05). Dietary ARA upregulated LOX pathway but downregulated CYP450 pathway annotated genes expression. A total of 65 cell development annotated genes including 30 adipocyte proliferation, 21 adipocyte differentiation, and 14 cell apoptosis annotated genes were down-regulated in the ARA group. In addition, 19 lipid catabolism annotated genes were increased. The mRNA expression levels of 5 chemokines, 10 cytokines, 26 cytokine and chemokine receptors, 15 cell adhesion, 6 oxidative stress, and 6 angiogenesis annotated genes were all down-regulated in fish fed ARA. Finally, dietary ARA also decreased the expression of transcripts annotated with glucose transportation, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Overall, our results demonstrate that dietary ARA has a fat reducing role, and tends to retard adipocyte development and attenuate chronic inflammation based on these adipose transcript expression results in grass carp.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) from the upper Mekong River.

The purposes of this research are to quantify the concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in the water and fish tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the upper Mekong River and to thereby elucidate the potential dietary health risks from fish consumption of local residents. Surface water and fish tissues (gill, muscle, liver, and intestine) from four representative sample areas (influence by a cascade of four dams) along the river were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations. Results revealed that the levels of heavy metals in fish were tissue-dependent. The highest Cu and As levels were found in the liver; the highest Zn and Pb levels occurred in the intestine, and the highest Hg level was found in the muscle. The total target hazard quotient (THQ) value for residents is > 1 for long-term fish consumption, and local residents are, therefore, exposed to a significant health risk. Results from the current study provide an overall understanding of the spatial and tissue distribution of heavy metals in water and fish body along the upper Mekong River under the influence of cascade dams and highlight the potential health risk of As for the local residents of long-term fish consumption.

The occurrence and distribution of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), focusing on tissue-specific bioaccumulation in crucian carp in South Korea

The occurrence and distribution of 41 congeners of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were investigated in major tissues of crucian carp (muscle, gonad, liver, and blood) and in river sediment to assess the bioaccumulation potential of PCNs. The total PCN concentrations in sediment ranged from 4.37 to 19.5 pg/g dry weight (dw), mainly comprising CN-13, CN-33/34/37, and CN-38/40. Among fish tissues, higher PCN concentrations were observed in the gonads (29.6 ± 10.3 pg/g wet weight, ww) and liver (25.7 ± 4.35 pg/g ww) of crucian carp than in the muscle (2.17 ± 0.68 pg/g ww). CN-28/43, CN-33/34/37, CN-42, CN-52/60, CN-53/55, and CN-66/67 congeners were detected most frequently and had the highest concentration among all crucian carp tissues. We investigated the association between the PCN concentration in each tissue (muscle, liver, and gonad) and the size of the fish (total length and weight) and found positive correlations between the PCN concentration in the gonads and the total length and weight (p < 0.05, Spearman correlation).