Effects of in vitro exposure to ozone and/or hyperoxia on superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation in red blood cells and plasma of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

In aquaculture, ozone is used as a disinfectant. In its production, extensive amounts of oxygen are formed resulting in hyperoxic conditions in culture units. Both ozone and hyperoxia have the potential to be toxic via pro‐oxidant mechanisms and to activate antioxidant defence systems in cultured species. To eliminate systemic effects, blood of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), was exposed in vitro for 5 min to ozone/hyperoxia or hyperoxia, and changes in antioxidant defences and lipid peroxidation were measured after exposure. Ozone exposure caused severe damage in red blood cells (rbc) detected as increased lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels in both plasma and rbc. Oxygen exposure alone increased intracellular lipid peroxidation and GSSG levels 10 min after exposure and was not evident in the plasma at any time. Ozone, but not oxygen exposure, decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in plasma, and the changes were negatively correlated with increased lipid peroxidation in rbc, indicating that extracellular GSH has a dynamic role in the protection of rbc from direct oxidation by ozone. Both ozone and hyperoxic conditions increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in rbc 3 and 6 h after exposure. In contrast, catalase activity was only increased 10 min after oxygen exposure, suggesting other catalase activation mechanisms rather than enzyme induction. The recovery of lipid peroxidation and GSSG levels in rbc after hyperoxia, but not ozone exposure, indicated a capacity to defend against hyperoxia‐produced oxidative damage, but an overwhelming of antioxidant defences by ozone in rainbow trout rbc in vitro.     

Assessment of tissue-specific effect of cadmium on antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation in freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus

The effects of different concentrations of cadmium chloride on the extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and alterations in the antioxidant enzyme activities were studied in liver, kidney and gill tissues of freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus. The fish specimens were exposed to 6.7, 13.4 and 20.1 mg l⁻¹ sublethal concentrations of cadmium chloride and the oxidative stress was assessed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-exposure. The biomarkers selected for the study were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances for assessing the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system such as reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GP_X), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In general, the cadmium exposure elevated the LPO in subject tissues of treated group and modulated the activities of GPx, GST, SOD, CAT, GR and level of GSH after given exposure as compared to the control. All enzymes activities, except CAT (in kidney and gills), and amount of LPO elevated significantly (P < 0.05) in treated group with respect to control in all tissues, while significant difference was not observed between the exposed concentrations and within exposure duration. The results indicated that increase in LPO level and the fluctuation in antioxidant defense system in fish could be due to cadmium-induced increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The potential role of these parameters as biomarkers of heavy metal pollution in aquatic system is discussed.     

Effects of azithromycin on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): health status evaluation using biochemical,physiological and morphological biomarkers

Bacterial diseases cause tilapia's high‐mortality outbreak. This study investigated the toxicity of azithromycin (AZT), a macrolide antibiotic that has been considered a possible therapeutic drug for tilapia aquacultural use. The 48‐h acute toxicity (50% lethal concentration, LC50; 48 h) of AZT was determined for Oreochromis niloticus. Thereafter, fish were exposed to 0, 1, 50 and 100 mg L^?1 AZT during 14 days (chronic exposure) and measured the haematological variables, the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and the concentration of glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl and lipid peroxidation in the liver; histopathology was analysed the liver, gills and kidneys. The LC50; 48 h was >100 mg L^?1. No fish died during chronic exposure. Haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration increased in fish exposed to 50 and 100 mg L^?1, and the total number of leucocyte and thrombocyte increased after exposure to 100 mg L^?1 AZT, suggesting a stimulation of defence cell production. In the liver, the antioxidant enzyme activities did not change, but GST activity and the GSH level increased in fish exposed to 100 mg L^?1 AZT. Oxidative stress did not occur. Histopathological index (HI_L) indicates moderate liver damage; minor histological changes in the gill and no change in the kidneys. AZT was considered non‐toxic for O. niloticus after acute exposure and, although it causes moderated histopathology in the liver after chronic exposure, this antibiotic may be an alternative against bacterial infections, depending on its efficacy to control bacterial disease in fish.     

Impact of sublethal di‐n‐butyl phthalate on the aquaculture fish species Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): histopathology and oxidative stress assessment

Phthalates such as di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP) and their esters are widely used plasticizers, their ubiquitous presence in daily life, inevitably leads to their restricted use due to important environmental pollution and health impacts and endocrine disruption potential. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a sublethal concentration of 10 mg L^?1 DBP on haematocrit (HCT) values, gills and liver histology, malondialdehyde (MDA, 2‐thiobarbituric acid‐TBA reactivity) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in gills and liver tissue as oxidative stress biomarkers in the aquaculture fish species Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after 24 (DBP‐24) and 96 (DBP‐96) h exposure. No differences were found between per cent HCT values in the 24 h exposure groups (P > 0.05). Response of antioxidant defence systems in liver and gill tissues of the fish were dependent on exposure duration and changed to a higher extent during 96 h. MDA levels in liver tissue increased in DBP treated fish in comparison to the control fish. However, the differences between the exposure and control groups were not significant (P > 0.05). A statistically significant decrease (P > 0.05) was recorded in gill MDA levels in the DBP‐96 group when compared to the control and DBP‐24 groups. The liver GSH levels were unchanged in the DBP treated fish. However, GSH levels were significantly lower in the gill tissue of the DBP‐96 group. Exposure to DBP caused several degenerative changes in the histology of gill and liver tissue. Gills displayed hyperaemia, epithelial lifting, oedema, talengiectasia, epithelial hyperplasia and fusion of secondary lamellae, whereas in liver several circulatory anomalies (hyperaemia, blood congestion and sinosoid dilatation) and vacuolization of hepatocytes were observed. Histopathological results demonstrated that the gills were more affected than the liver perhaps due to their direct contact with DBP.     

Tissue-specific responses of oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant defenses in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during a vaccination against furunculosis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vaccination against furunculosis on responses of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss muscle, gills, liver, and brain tissues. The oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and carbonyl derivatives of protein oxidative destruction levels), antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase), and total antioxidant capacity in different tissues of rainbow trout were measured. Our data showed that exposure of trout to vaccine against furunculosis produced changes (either increase or decrease) in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes responses, and these responses showed marked organ differences, associated with tissue patterns. Our study demonstrated that vaccinated trout showed alteration in antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress responses, with higher severity in the liver, compared with other tissues. Our data also suggest that vaccination against furunculosis induced lipid peroxidation in gill and liver tissues. However, muscle and brain tissue are capable of restoring its pro- and antioxidant balance after vaccination.     

Effects of cypermethrin on antioxidant status,oxidative stress biomarkers,behavior, and mortality in the freshwater mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Unio elongatulus eucirrus</Emphasis>

In this study, the effects of cypermethrin on antioxidant status, oxidative stress biomarkers, behavior, and mortality in the freshwater mussel Unio elongatulus eucirrus were examined. Cypermethrin was applied at concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μg/L, for 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. With increasing cypermethrin concentrations, the mussels showed significantly (P < 0.05) increased lipid peroxidation (MDA), which might be associated with decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activity in the digestive glands and gills of the mussels. Negative correlations were observed between the MDA and the GSH and CAT levels after cypermethrin exposure, indicating a protective role of GSH and CAT against lipid peroxidation, and suggesting the use of these antioxidants as a potential biomarker of toxicity associated with contaminant exposure in freshwater mussels. In addition, at 5 μg/L, cypermethrin had no effect on the duration of the active and rest periods. All higher concentrations caused inhibition of the filtration activity by reducing the active periods and lengthening the rest periods. The active periods shortened as the cypermethrin concentrations increased, the reduction being 90% of the control at 160 μg/L. Rest periods were longest (237% longer than the control) at 160 μg/L. The 48, 72, and 96 h LC50 values of cypermethrin for mussels were determined as 96.50, 77.96, and 59.20 μg/L, respectively (P < 0.05). The results indicate that the insecticide cypermethrin has a harmful effect not only on nontarget aquatic arthropods and fish, but also on mollusks, although the sensitivity of mussels is less than that of fish. Being a general toxicant for aquatic life, cypermethrin should be used with great caution in agriculture to protect natural waters from contamination.     

Study of the Oxidative State,as a Marker of Welfare,on Gilthead Sea Bream,Sparus aurata,Subjected to Handling Stress

In this study, we investigated the effect of repeated handling on the oxidative state of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata. We determined the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione transferase (GST), and DT‐diaphorase (DTD) in liver, digestive tract, brain, gills, and white muscle. We also measured the lipid‐peroxidation level (malondialdehyde – MDA – concentration) and the glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity (G6PDH). The results show that repeated low‐intensity handling on gilthead sea bream alter the oxidative status of tissues such as liver, digestive tract, and muscle in the last term can affect its welfare. The brain in a situation of handling stress is protected from oxidative damage by the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Finally, the concentration of MDA in tissues can be a good candidate as a biomarker of stress and welfare in fish.     

Effects of ammonia exposure on stress and immune response in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ammonia exposure on stress and immune response in turbot. The species was exposed to five total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations: 0 (control), 1, 5, 20 and 40 mg L^?1 for 96 h. After 0, 24, 48 and 96 h of exposure, blood samples were collected to measure the levels of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, growth hormone (GH), lysozyme (LZM), complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4) and immunoglobulinM (IgM); liver samples were taken to analyse oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione, GSH; malondialdehyde, MDA), and gene expression of heat shock proteins (HSP 70 and HSP 90) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). The results showed that exposure to higher concentrations of TAN (20 and/or 40 mg L^?1) enhanced the levels of CRH, ACTH and cortisol and attenuated the levels of GH, LZM, C3, C4 and IgM in plasma of turbot after 48 and 96 h. In liver, TAN (20 and/or 40 mg L^?1) apparently increased the activities of antioxidative enzymes (SOD and CAT), mRNA levels of HSP (HSP 70 and 90) and formation of MDA, decreased the content of GSH and mRNA levels of IGF‐1 after 48 and 96 h of exposure. Overall, our results suggested that high ammonia exposure caused activation of hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis, inhibition of GH/IGF axis and immunity, and occurrence of oxidative stress.     

饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对吉富罗非鱼抗氧化和抗亚硝基氮应激能力的影响

选择初始体重(3.27±0.04)g的吉富罗非鱼(GIFT Oreochromis niloticus),分别投喂基础饲料和添加80、160、240、320和400 mg/kg谷胱甘肽(GSH)的试验饲料,记作G0、G80、G160、G240、G320和G400。49 d后,G320血清和G160、G240肝脏谷胱甘肽S-转移酶,G160、G240血清和G320肝脏谷胱甘肽还原酶,G240肝脏超氧化物歧化酶,G320血清和G240肝脏过氧化氢酶活性,G240～G400血清和G240肝脏总抗氧化能力,G320血清抗超氧阴离子活性,与对照组相比分别显著升高。G80～G320肝脏丙二醛含量显著低于对照组。在亚硝基氮应激96 h内,G320累积死亡率显著降低。结果表明,饲料中添加一定量的GSH能显著提高罗非鱼的抗氧化性能和抗亚硝基氮应激能力。     

Acute exposure to copper induces variable intensity of oxidative stress in goldfish tissues

Copper is an essential element, but at high concentrations, it is toxic for living organisms. The present study investigated the responses of goldfish, Carassius auratus, to 96 h exposure to 30, 300, or 700 μg L^?1 of copper II chloride (Cu²⁺). The content of protein carbonyls was higher in kidney (by 158%) after exposure to 700 mg L^?1 copper, whereas in gills, liver, and brain, we observed lower content of protein carbonyls after exposure to copper compared with control values. Exposure to copper resulted in increased levels of lipid peroxides in gills (76%) and liver (95–110%) after exposure to 300 and 700 μg L^?1 Cu²⁺. Low molecular mass thiols were depleted by 23–40% in liver and by 29–67% in kidney in response to copper treatment and can be used as biomarkers toxicity of copper. The activities of primary antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, were increased in liver as a result of Cu²⁺ exposure, whereas in kidney catalase activity was decreased. The activities of glutathione-related enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione reductase were decreased as a result of copper exposure, but glutathione reductase activity increased by 25–40% in liver. Taken together, these data show that exposure of fish to Cu²⁺ ions results in the development of low/high intensity oxidative stress reflected in enhanced activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes in different goldfish tissues.     

Antioxidant effects of nanoencapsulated lipoic acid in tissues and on the immune condition in haemolymph of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The antioxidant and oxidative damage responses and immune parameters in shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, reared in clear water (CW) and in a biofloc system (BFT) were evaluated. The animals were given feed supplemented with either nanocapsules containing the antioxidant lipoic acid (NCLA) or empty nanocapsules (NC). Antioxidant and oxidative stress analyses were evaluated by measuring glutathione S‐transferase activity (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in the gills, hepatopancreas and muscle. The immune parameters were then determined by the differential hemocyte count in the haemolymph. The final weight of the shrimp reared in both CW and BFT and treated with NCLA increased (p < .05). The shrimps reared in BFT showed increased GST activity in the gills and hepatopancreas after NCLA treatment (p < .05). Higher GSH levels were observed in the hepatopancreas with NCLA supplementation in CW and BFT (p < .05). Decreased levels of TBARS were observed in the gills and muscles of shrimp supplemented with NCLA and maintained in CW (p < .05). A decrease in the percentage of hyaline hemocytes and an increase in granular hemocytes were observed in shrimp treated with NCLA in CW and BFT (p < .05). The antioxidant treatment induced positive responses in terms of the zootechnical, biochemical and immunological parameters.     

Effects of fish size on the response of antioxidant systems of Oreochromis niloticus following metal exposures

The size of a fish is an important factor in its physiology, and metal uptake is affected by animal physiology. In this study, small and large tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) differing approximately twofold in length and fivefold in weight were compared for their antioxidant response. Both groups were exposed to Cu or Cr (1.0 μg/mL) in a freshwater (?80 mg CaCO₃/L, conductivity 1.77 mS/cm) using 2 exposure protocols (20 μM for 48 h and 10 μM for 6 days). Following the exposures, the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPX; glutathione reductase, GR and glutathione S-transferase, GST) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the liver of fish. Results showed that small fish was affected from exposure conditions much more than large ones as their antioxidant parameters significantly decreased even in controls. Metal exposures of small fish caused significant increases in SOD and CAT activity in acute Cu or Cr exposures. Subchronic Cr exposure of small fish also caused significant increases in CAT, GPx and GST activities, while there was no significant change in Cu-exposed ones. Large fish, however, showed different antioxidant responses as their levels mostly decreased. This study demonstrated that the response of antioxidant system in the liver of tilapia varied in relation to fish sizes and emphasized using different size groups in environmental monitoring and also in evaluation of fish biomarkers.     

氧化应激对鲤抗氧化状态和免疫功能的影响

为探讨氧化应激对鲤抗氧化状态和免疫功能的影响,本实验以H_2O_2作为活性氧自由基(ROS),将鲤暴露于不同浓度的H_2O_2(0、0.25、0.50和1.00 mmol/L)中,诱导鲤产生氧化应激反应。连续暴露7 d后,采集鲤血液和肝组织,以检测相关生化指标以及基因表达量的变化。结果显示,与空白对照组(0 mmol/L)相比,随着H_2O_2浓度的升高,血清葡萄糖(GLU)、皮质醇(cortisol)和乳酸(LA)含量显著升高;而碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性仅在1.00 mmol/L H_2O_2处理组中显著高于其他实验组。氧化应激参数显示,与空白对照组(0 mmol/L)相比,0.50和1.00 mmol/L H2O2处理显著降低血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,而提高还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)水平;在肝脏组织中,1.00 mmol/L H_2O_2处理显著降低了GSH含量,促进了MDA生成。基因表达结果显示,与空白对照组相比,1.00 mmol/L H2O2处理组显著上调了肝脏组织中cyp1a表达,而下调了cyp1b表达;同时0.50和1.00 mmol/L H2O2处理显著上调了hsp70、hsp90、c3、c-lyz和hep的表达。研究表明,氧化应激暴露可诱导鲤产生明显应激反应和脂质过氧化,降低机体抗氧化能力并激发免疫应答反应。     

Different effects of low- and high-dose waterborne zinc on Zn accumulation,ROS levels,oxidative damage and antioxidant responses in the liver of large yellow croaker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudosciaena crocea</Emphasis>

The aim of the present study was to assess survival rate, Zn accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative damage and antioxidant responses after Zn exposure (2 and 8 mg L^?1 Zn) at different exposure times (6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h) in the liver of large yellow croaker. Survival rate was reduced at 96 h, and hepatic Zn content increased during 24–96 by 8 mg L^?1 Zn. In the 2 mg L^?1 Zn group, no fish died and the increase in Zn content merely occurred at 96 h. Exposure to 8 mg L^?1 Zn induced accumulation of ROS, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation during the late stage of exposure. In contrast, exposure to 2 mg L^?1 Zn did not result in oxidative damage, which may result from the up-regulation of antioxidant defenses. Although exposure to 8 mg L^?1 Zn increased activities and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes during the early stage of exposure, including Cu/Zn–SOD, Mn–SOD, CAT, GPx and GR, the activities of these enzymes except Cu/Zn–SOD were inhibited at 96 h. Furthermore, a sharp increase in Nrf2 expression was observed in fish exposed to 8 mg L^?1 at 6 and 12 h, and 2 mg L^?1 at 12 h and 24 h, suggesting that Nrf2 was required for the protracted induction of these genes. The late increase in Keap1 expression may support its role in switching off the Nrf2 response. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated different effects of low- and high-dose waterborne Zn on antioxidant responses, which could contribute to the understanding of antioxidant and toxic roles of zinc on a molecular level.     

Effects of dietary selenium of organic form against lead toxicity on the antioxidant system in Cyprinus carpio

In this study was evaluated potential protective effect of organic selenium (Se) on heavy metal stress induced by lead (Pb) in Cyprinus carpio. For this reason, C. carpio was exposed to sublethal concentration of Pb (1.5 mg/L Pb(NO₃)₂) for 14 days. The fish were fed a basal (control; measured 0.55 mg/kg Se) diet or a basal diet supplemented with 2.50 mg/kg (measured 2.92 mg/kg Se) organic Se (Sel-Plex^®) during the experiment period. The variations in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) with malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and brain tissues of C. carpio were investigated in experimental groups. GSH levels in liver and brain tissues were significantly decreased by exposure to Pb. GST activity was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in liver tissue, but decreased in brain of treated fish by exposure to Pb. Also, GSH-Px activity was significantly increased in liver tissue, but decreased in brain of Pb-treated fish. Levels of MDA were increased in liver and brain of Pb-treated fish. The organic Se treatment for Pb-intoxicated animals improved activities of GSH-Px, GST and levels of MDA within normal limits. Supplemented Se could be able to improve Pb-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and regulating antioxidant defense system in tissues.     

急性离水操作胁迫对四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)幼鱼组织结构和氧化应激的影响

为探究急性离水操作胁迫对四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)幼鱼组织结构和氧化应激的影响,本研究通过组织切片和酶活性测定来观察及检测鳃和肌肉显微结构的变化、抗氧化酶活性以及Na+-K+-ATP酶活性,以探究四指马鲅应激反应规律。结果显示,急性离水操作胁迫2 h后,鳃小片、扁平上皮细胞以及线粒体丰富细胞都出现不同程度的损伤;肌肉从肌纤维变性、肌纤维束之间的间隙增宽、空泡化至肌肉组织整体失去固有形态,并且呈逐渐分解的趋势;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)有相同的变化趋势,胁迫后的2 h显著下降(P<0.05),但12 h时则升至最高值。过氧化氢酶(CAT)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)水平在处理后2 h无显著变化(P>0.05),之后升高,直到12 h达到峰值。丙二醛(MDA)含量在胁迫后的2 h无显著差异(P>0.05),直到6 h达到峰值。SOD和CAT活性在处理24 h后显著低于处理前,其他酶变化不显著。Na+-K+-ATP酶活性在处理后2 h显著升高(P<0.05),12 h达到峰值,24 h恢复到处理前水平。本研究表明,操作胁迫会对鳃和肌肉的组织结构造成损伤,而且随时间持续,损伤呈现加重趋势;肌肉抗氧化酶系统在受到氧化压力2 h后才启动,处理后12 h肌肉受到的氧化压力最大,抗氧化酶活性最强;在受到外界刺激时,SOD和GSH之间可能存在协同作用;MDA可以作为四指马鲅氧化损伤的快速响应生物标记物。     

The role of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart. 1824) as a chemoprotective agent in the evaluation of antioxidant defence,oxidative damage and histology of juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (BOONE, 1931) exposed to ammonia

This study investigated the effects of the use of the inclusion of açaí on the diet of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei on antioxidant and histopathological responses after exposure to ammonia. The shrimps were fed two experimental diets: control and with 10% of açaí inclusion (W/W), for 35 days. Afterwards, the organisms were exposed at four concentrations of ammonia (0.01‐control; 0.26; 0.48 and 0.91 mg NH₃‐N L^?1) for 96 hr. The total antioxidant capacity (ACAP) of the gills decreased significantly in both diets when exposed to ammonia, whereas in the muscle, the açaí promoted an increase in ACAP. Concomitantly, lipid peroxidation levels increased in the gills and decreased in muscle. After exposure to ammonia, glutathione‐S‐transferase activity increased in hepatopancreas in shrimps fed with açaí facilitating the detoxification of lipid peroxidation by‐products, and the concentration of protein sulfhydryl groups decreased in the gills and muscle of the shrimp of the control diet, evidencing protein damage, an unobserved response in shrimps that received the açaí diet. Histopathological changes decreased in açaí‐fed shrimps about the control diet after exposure to ammonia. It is concluded that açaí mitigated ammonia‐induced histopathological changes, improved the antioxidant defence system (gills and muscle) and attenuated the lipid damage in the muscle.     

Oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities in the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus,experimentally challenged with Escherichia coli and Vibrio fischeri

The impacts of bacterial infection on cultivated fish species, African catfish, were investigated using oxidative stress biomarkers [lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation] and the activities of important antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes [catalase and glutathione S-transferase (GST)]. Fish were inoculated via oral gavage with one of the following treatments: 1 × 10⁵ CFU/ml of Escherichia coli (EC1), 2 × 10⁵ CFU/ml of E. coli (EC2), 1 × 10⁵ CFU/ml of Vibrio fischeri (V1), 2 × 10⁵ CFU/ml of V. fischeri (V2), gavaged with distilled water and not gavaged. Fish were maintained in the laboratory for 7 days after the bacterial inoculation, and the levels of LPO, protein carbonylation, GST, and catalase activities were determined in the muscle, gills, and liver of fish. Fish inoculated with bacteria (either E. coli or V. fischeri) had a significant higher levels of tissue LPO, protein carbonylation, and GST activities in a tissue-specific pattern (liver > muscle > gills). This appears to be related with the levels of bacterial inoculation, with effects more pronounced in fish inoculated with either EC2 or V2. The catalase activity did not differ significantly between the inoculated and fish that were not inoculated. The results of this study indicate that bacterial inoculation could result in oxidative stress in fish, and liver has a higher rate of oxidative stress per mg tissue compared to the gills and the muscle.