(‐)‐Epicatechin gallate,a metabolite of (‐)‐epigallocatechin gallate in grass carp,exhibits antiviral activity in vitro against grass carp reovirus

(‐)‐Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin found in green tea, has been demonstrated to exhibit activity against grass carp reovirus (GCRV). In the current study, we found that EGCG is partially transformed in vivo into (‐)‐epicatechin gallate (ECG), which differs from EGCG only by the absence of a hydroxyl group, and exhibits similar pharmacokinetic behaviour to that of EGCG. ECG is also a major catechin in green tea, but little information on its antiviral activity is available. Therefore, we assessed whether ECG affects GCRV in vitro. We incubated grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) kidney (CIK) cells with ECG and GCRV‐JX01 at different concentrations, and typical cytopathogenic effect (CPE) values were observed for 5 and 10 µg/ml ECG. However, the CPE in 20 µg/ml ECG treatment group was low; no significant CPE was observed for 40 µg/ml ECG treatment; and a high ECG concentration (80 µg/ml) led to stress response in the CIK cells. Western blot results also revealed that ECG suppresses GCRV replication in CIK cells. Thus, the data indicate that ECG, as well as EGCG, exhibits potential as an antiviral agent for aquaculture.     

In vivo antiviral efficacy of moroxydine hydrochloride against grass carp reovirus and the drug safety assessment

Our previous studies have verified that moroxydine hydrochloride (Mor) could inhibit replication of grass carp reovirus (GCRV) and suppress apoptosis of Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney cells, but be lack of information whether exists on antiviral activity in vivo. The paper was undertaken to explore the antiviral response of Mor against GCRV in grass carp and investigate the safety of drug for aquatic organisms. The results showed that injection treatment of Mor could more effectively inhibit GCRV replication than immersion administration. All the RNA systheses of vp3 and vp6 on day 7 in head kidney, gill, hepatopancreas and dorsal muscle in the Mor injection group were lesser than 0.07‐fold than that of in control group. And the GCRV‐inducing grass carp mortality was effectively controlled within 7 days post Mor injection therapy. Additionally, the reduction of superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity in serum was effectively controlled by Mor. Moreover, drug safety assessment results showed that 500 mg/L of Mor was safe to C. idella, Bacillus subtilis, Chlorella vulgaris and Tetrahymena thermophila, which was far higher than the therapeutic concentration. The present study proved Mor as harmless formulations or products had potential value in the control of GCRV in aquaculture, with the advantage of super in vivo antiviral activity and environmental safety.     

Generation and characterization of aptamers against grass carp reovirus infection for the development of rapid detection assay

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) causes devastating viral haemorrhagic disease in farmed grass carp (Ctenopharyngon idellus). As novel molecular probes, aptamers have been widely applied in rapid diagnosis and efficient therapies against virus or diseases. In this study, three single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers were selected against GCRV‐infected CIK cells via SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment technology). Secondary structures predicted by MFOLD indicated that aptamers formed stem‐loop structures, and GVI‐11 had the lowest ΔG value of ?30.84 KJ/mol. Three aptamers could specifically recognize GCRV‐infected CIK cells, with calculated dissociation constants (Kd) of 220.86, 176.63 and 278.66 nM for aptamers GVI‐1, GVI‐7 and GVI‐11, respectively, which indicated that they could serve as specific delivery system for antiviral therapies. The targets of aptamers GVI‐1, GVI‐7 and GVI‐11 on the surface of GCRV‐infected cells could be membrane proteins, which were trypsin‐sensitive. Furthermore, FAM‐labelled aptamer GVI‐7 could be applied to detect GCRV infection in vivo. It is the first time to generate and characterize aptamers against GCRV‐infected cells. These aptamers have great potentials in development of rapid diagnosis technology and antiviral agents against GCRV infection in aquaculture.     

初探母源免疫处理草鱼母本及其子代5种免疫因子含量的周年变化规律

为探究草鱼母源免疫因子传递特性,实验借助酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)和实时荧光定量PCR (qPCR)技术分别检测分析了草鱼呼肠孤病毒(grass carp reovirus, GCRV)弱毒疫苗免疫草鱼母本及其子代(即母源免疫子代)早期胚胎阶段至1龄期间5种免疫因子(IgM、C3、LZM、MBL和Bf)蛋白活性和基因表达水平的周年变化规律。结果显示,草鱼母本经GCRV弱毒疫苗免疫后,血液中5种免疫因子蛋白活性及基因表达水平在产卵期均显著高于对照组1.5倍以上,至免疫后第11个月与对照组无显著差异。母源免疫子代发育至水花(4 d)时,IgM、C3、MBL和Bf的基因表达水平均高于对照组;发育至乌仔(15 d)时,IgM、C3和Bf的蛋白活性水平均略高于对照组;发育至5～11月龄时,5种免疫因子在肝脏、脾脏、肾脏和头肾等免疫器官中仍存在高表达。研究表明,GCRV弱毒疫苗促使母源免疫因子在亲本和子代体内富集表达具有一定的时效性,最长可维持至11个月,为实际生产中草鱼母本疫苗免疫程序的制定提供参考依据。     

Effects of dietary glutamine supplementation on growth performance,antioxidant status and intestinal function in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Glutamine (Gln) is a conditionally essential free amino acid that has been widely used in aquaculture. The present study showed that appropriate levels of dietary Gln could significantly improve growth performance and increase lipase and trypsin activity, mucosal thickness (MT) and the number of lymphocytes. The levels of glycine (Gly) in the 6 g/kg Gln group, threonine (Thr) in the 12 g/kg group and lysine (Lys) in the 6 and 9 g/kg group were increased significantly, while glutamate (Glu) and serine (Ser) concentrations decreased significantly with increasing dietary Gln levels from 3 to 12 g/kg. Moreover, the 12 g/kg dietary Gln level could improve the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) and the total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC). In addition, 3 g/kg Gln upregulated the gene expression of aminopeptidase N (APN), caudal‐related homeobox gene (CDX2), L‐type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2), oligopeptide transporter 1 (PEPT1), specificity proteins 1 (SP1) and 3 (SP3), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPAR‐α) but downregulated PPAR‐γ gene expression compared to that in the control group. Taken together, these findings suggest that Gln could improve the growth performance, antioxidant status and intestinal function of grass carp.     

Inactivation of koi‐herpesvirus in water using bacteria isolated from carp intestines and carp habitats

Since its first outbreak in Japan in 2003, koi‐herpesvirus (KHV) remains a challenge to the carp Cyprinus carpio L. breeding industry. In this study, inactivation of KHV in water from carp habitats (carp habitat water) was investigated with the aim of developing a model for rapidly inactivating the pathogen in aquaculture effluent. Experiments with live fish showed that, in carp habitat water, KHV lost its infectivity within 3 days. Indications were that inactivation of KHV was caused by the antagonistic activity of bacteria (anti‐KHV bacteria) in the water from carp habitats. Carp habitat water and the intestinal contents of carp were therefore screened for anti‐KHV bacteria. Of 581 bacterial isolates, 23 showed anti‐KHV activity. An effluent treatment model for the disinfection of KHV in aquaculture effluent water using anti‐KHV bacteria was developed and evaluated. The model showed a decrease in cumulative mortality and in the number of KHV genome copies in kidney tissue of fish injected with treated effluent compared with a positive control. It is thought that anti‐KHV bacteria isolated from the intestinal contents of carp and from carp habitat water can be used to control KHV outbreaks.     

Dietary nano‐selenium enhances antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella fed with high‐fat diet

To evaluate the effects of dietary nano‐selenium (Nano‐Se) on antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp fed with high‐fat diet, experimental fishes were fed Nano‐Se supplemented diets at doses of 0 (Control), 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mg/kg for 10 weeks. After feeding trial, a part of the fishes were exposed to hypoxia stress. Results showed that the survival ratio of grass carp significantly increased in 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg Nano‐Se group, and the content of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) significantly decreased in 0.6–1.2 mg/kg Nano‐Se groups compared with the control group. In addition, dietary Nano‐Se significantly enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in fishes fed diets with 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg Nano‐Se. Dietary Nano‐Se significantly elevated mRNA expression of GPX1 and catalase (CAT) by promoting the mRNA expression of NF‐E2‐related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) in the hepatopancreas. After hypoxia stress, the GPX and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly enhanced, and the MDA content and mortality rate consequently decreased in fishes fed diets with 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg Nano‐Se. In summary, these results suggested that optimal Nano‐Se in diet enhanced the antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp.     

Identification of immunogenic proteins of Flavobacterium columnare by two‐dimensional electrophoresis immunoblotting with antibacterial sera from grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes)

Flavobacterium columnare is a Gram‐negative bacterium causing columnaris disease of freshwater fish worldwide, and development of efficacious vaccines has been a continuous challenge in aquaculture. In this study, 14 proteins were identified from cellular components of F. columnare using an immunoblotting approach in two‐dimensional electrophoresis map gels with antibacterial sera from grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), and then anti‐grass carp‐recombinant Ig (rIg) polyclonal antibodies. These proteins were characterized conclusively by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS). The 14 proteins are immunogenic molecules of F. columnare, including chaperonins DnaK, GroEL and trigger factor, and translation elongation factor G, translation elongation factor Tu, 30S ribosomal subunit protein S1, dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase, succinyl‐CoA synthetase, SpoOJ regulator protein, alcohol dehydrogenase, fructose‐bisphosphate aldolase, 3‐hydroxybutyryl‐CoA dehydrogenase and two conserved hypothetical proteins. These identified immunogenic proteins may provide candidate molecules for the development of vaccines against columnaris disease.     

Influence of dietary zinc on muscle composition,flesh quality and muscle antioxidant status of young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.)

This study was conducted to investigate graded levels of dietary zinc on the growth, flesh quality, and the relationship between flesh quality and muscle antioxidant status in young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.). Per cent weight gain (PWG), special growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), anti‐hydroxy radical (AHR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reducase (GR) activities and glutathione (GSH) content were significantly increased with increasing levels of Zn up to a point, and thereafter declined (P < 0.05). Serum zinc, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), muscle anti‐superoxide anion (ASA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities and collagen content were significantly enhanced with dietary zinc levels up to a point (P < 0.05), beyond which it plateaued. Cooking loss, shear force and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced with increasing level of zinc up to a point, and thereafter increased (P < 0.05). The pH value significantly increased with the increasing zinc levels, whereas the trend of protein carbonyl content was opposite. Flesh quality was positively related to the antioxidant enzymes activities in muscle of young grass carp. These results indicated that optimum zinc could improve growth, and improve flesh quality partly through improving muscle antioxidant status of young grass carp.     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒JX-0902株的分离和鉴定

收集江西南昌地区患典型草鱼出血病的病鱼组织,进行超薄切片电镜观察,结果显示,在脾、肾样品中发现大量病毒颗粒,病毒无囊膜,近球形,直径约70 nm,形态与已报道的草鱼呼肠孤病毒(grass carp reovirus,GCRV)相似。取病鱼肌肉、内脏研磨,组织液经离心、过滤除菌后进行鱼体人工感染试验和细胞感染实验,结果发现,人工感染试验鱼出现死亡,且具有典型出血症状;组织滤液感染草鱼肾细胞系(CIK)细胞后,盲传6代未观察到典型细胞病变效应,但感染细胞固定后经超薄切片电镜观察,细胞质内有大量病毒存在,与病鱼组织切片观察到的病毒形态一致。SDS-PAGE结果进一步揭示,新分离病毒株(暂命名JX-0902)基因组由11条dsRNA组成,呈现水生呼肠孤病毒基因组典型特征,但基因组带型与GCRV 873株存在差异,而与HZ08株接近。根据GenBank上已提交的草鱼呼肠孤病毒S6序列(GQ896337)设计特异引物,以JX-0902株的cDNA作为模板,可扩增出特异性条带。基于S6序列的聚类分析结果显示,JX-0902与GCRV HZ08株、GD108株S6同源性高达98%、99%,该分离株应为草鱼呼肠孤病毒。     

Change in blood stress and antioxidant markers and hydromineral balance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) anaesthetized with citronellal and linalool: Comparison with eugenol

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of anaesthesia with citronellal and linalool on stress, antioxidant and hydromineral responses of common carp. Eugenol was used as control anaesthetic, as it is a common anaesthetic in aquaculture. The fish (110 ± 5.65 g) were exposed to 406 mg/L citronellal, 982 mg/L linalool or 43 mg/L eugenol within 5 min (short‐term anaesthesia) or 10 and 20 mg/L of each anaesthetic for 3 hr (long‐term exposure), before blood sampling. The results showed that the short‐term anaesthesia had no significant effects on plasma lactate, sodium, chloride and phosphorus levels and blood catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities. The short‐term anaesthesia with linalool led to higher stress responses (increased cortisol and glucose levels) and oxidative stress (increased malondialdehyde [MDA] level and decreased total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity) compared to the eugenol and citronellal. Citronellal group had significantly higher cortisol and lower TAC level and GPx activity compared to eugenol group. Under the long‐term exposure, increase in anaesthetic concentration led to significant increase in plasma cortisol, glucose and phosphorus levels. The linalool‐treated fish had significantly higher cortisol and MDA levels compared to the other groups. The eugenol group had significantly higher lactate and phosphorus and lower TAC levels compared to the other groups. Although citronellal causes slight increase in plasma cortisol level, it induces lower tissue damages compared to eugenol. Thus, citronellal might be an alternative anaesthetic for carp anaesthesia based on the present tested parameters.     

草鱼病毒性出血病研究进展

草鱼出血病是严重困扰着草鱼养殖业发展的一大疾病。根据近几十年来对于该病研究的进展,就草鱼出血病病原的生物学特性、不同发现株之间的比较、分子生物学研究以及疾病的防治等方面进行综合评述,总结了草鱼出血病的研究现状及研究中亟待解决的问题,并提出了该领域以后的重点研究方向。为进一步深入开展对该病的防治研究提供参考,以提高草鱼养殖的生产率。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒GCRV VP56相互作用蛋白的鉴定

为研究Ⅱ型草鱼呼肠孤病毒外纤维蛋白VP56与宿主蛋白的相互作用,实验采用酵母双杂交Gal4系统鉴定与VP56相互作用的草鱼蛋白。首先利用RT-PCR技术从Ⅱ型GCRV感染的草鱼肾细胞中扩增目的基因VP56,构建p GBKT7-VP56诱饵表达载体;在酵母菌株中检测其自激活性后,以VP56为诱饵在草鱼酵母双杂交文库中筛选阳性菌株,并对阳性克隆的序列进行分析。实验也克隆了草鱼JAM-A(Gc JAM-A)基因,并构建p GADT7-Gc JAM-A载体,在酵母中研究草鱼Gc JAM-A与病毒蛋白VP56相互作用的可能性。研究表明构建的诱饵质粒p GBKT7-VP56无自激活作用,可以应用于酵母双杂交筛选;从草鱼肾细胞文库中筛选得到9株阳性克隆,基因测序及序列分析确定其中包含草鱼7个细胞内蛋白和1个细胞外基质蛋白;VP56蛋白与Gc JAM-A蛋白在酵母中不能发生相互作用。本研究初步确定了与Ⅱ型GCRV蛋白VP56存在潜在相互作用的宿主蛋白,为深入探讨VP56蛋白在Ⅱ型GCRV感染宿主过程中的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

The antioxidant status,apoptosis, intercellular integrity and immune function of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) head kidney and spleen fed different levels of pyridoxine

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary pyridoxine (PN) on the antioxidant status, apoptosis, intercellular integrity and immune function of head kidney and spleen in young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Results showed that compared with the optimal PN level, (a) PN deficiency decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and down‐regulated the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes, NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), myeloid cell leukaemia‐1 (Mcl‐1) and tight junction proteins, whereas it increased the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC), and up‐regulated the mRNA levels of cysteinyl aspartic acid‐protease (caspase), Fas ligand (FasL), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in the head kidney and spleen of fish (p < .05). (b) PN deficiency decreased lysozyme (LZ) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities, and complement contents, and down‐regulated the mRNA levels of antibacterial peptides, anti‐inflammatory cytokines, inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) and target of rapamycin (TOR), whereas it up‐regulated the mRNA levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF‐κBp65) in the head kidney and spleen of fish (p < .05). (c) Dietary PN requirements of grass carp based on the malondialdehyde content and lysozyme activity were estimated as 4.97 and 4.99 mg/kg diet, respectively.     

Growth performance,intestinal morphology,hepatopancreatic antioxidant capacity and growth‐related gene mRNA expressions of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) as affected by graded levels of dietary arginine

An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Arg levels (7.6, 12.3, 17.9, 22.4 and 28.6 g/kg diet) on growth performance, hepatopancreatic antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and growth‐related gene expressions of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). The results showed that SGR in Arg22 and Arg28 groups was lower than in Arg12 and Arg17 groups (p < 0.05). Serum NO content in Arg7 group was lower than other groups. Hepatopancreatic GSH‐Px activity was higher in Arg17 group than in Arg7 group, while MDA content showed the opposite trend. Hepatopancreatic IGF‐1 expression tended to increase with Arg from 7.6 to 22.4 g/kg and then decreased in Arg28 group (p < 0.05), while IGFBP‐1 expression increased with Arg level. Muscle mRNA expressions of TOR and S6K1 showed quadratic trends as dietary Arg level increased, which were higher in Arg17 group than in Arg22 and Arg28 groups (p < 0.05). Higher mRNA expression levels of y⁺LAT1, y⁺LAT2 and PepT1, as well as higher villus height and villus width in foregut, were all observed in Arg17 group. The optimal dietary Arg level based on SGR by the quadratic model was 15.3 g/kg diet for juvenile grass carp, corresponding to 54.7 g/kg dietary protein.     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒逆转录环介导等温扩增(RT-LAMP)检测方法的建立

根据草鱼呼肠孤病毒(grass carp reovirus,GCRV)衣壳蛋白VP6编码基因的序列设计特异性引物,以病毒全基因组RNA为模板,通过对反应条件进行优化,建立了GCRV的逆转录环介导等温扩增(RT-LAMP)检测方法。检测结果表明,本方法可在63℃下1 h内实现靶片段的大量扩增,扩增产物经凝胶电泳呈现梯型条带,反应体系中添加SYBR Green I荧光染料后,绿色阳性结果明显区别于橙色阴性结果。该检测体系针对草鱼呼肠孤病毒的检测灵敏度高,其最低检测限为33 pg,与常规RT-PCR方法相比较,灵敏度高10倍,且与斑点叉尾鮰呼肠孤病毒(CCRV)、鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)、锦鲤疱疹病毒(KHV)、大鲵虹彩病毒(GSIV)等无交叉反应。该方法灵敏度及特异性高,且不需昂贵仪器设备,为快速检测草鱼呼肠孤病毒与诊断草鱼出血病提供了简捷快速的技术手段。     

Effects of dietary soy isoflavones on growth,antioxidant status,immune response and resistance of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary soy isoflavones (SI) on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune response and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Six diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 10, 50, 100, 500 or 1,000 mg SI per kg feed. Each diet was randomly allotted to triplicate net cages, and each net cage was stocked with 30 fish. The fish were fed one of the experimental diets to satiation twice per day for 60 days. The results showed that the WGR and DGC of the 500 mg/kg SI‐supplemented group were significantly higher than those of the non‐SI‐supplemented group (p < .05). Serum LZM and IgM activities in the SI‐supplemented groups were improved compared to the control group. SOD and GSH‐Px levels of fish fed the diet containing 500 mg/kg SI were significantly enhanced compared to those of fish fed the control diet (p < .05). Additionally, serum CAT, GSH‐Px and AKP activities in 50, 100 and 500 mg/kg SI‐supplemented groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (p < .05). The expression of most immune‐related genes (including IFN‐γ2, TNF‐α, M‐CSF2, IL‐6, IL‐12p40 and IL‐4) was significantly affected by dietary supplementation of SI. The group fed with 500 mg/kg SI had the highest 7‐day cumulative survival rate after challenge test (p < .05). The current results revealed that dietary inclusion of SI could improve the immune response and resistance against A. hydrophila and the supplementation level is suggested to be 500 mg/kg diet.     

Indigenous AHL‐degrading bacterium Bacillus firmus sw40 affects virulence of pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila and disease resistance of gibel carp

Interrupting quorum sensing represents a novel anti‐infective strategy to combat bacterial pathogen, and biodegradation of quorum sensing signal AHLs has been proved to be an efficient way to control pathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria in aquaculture. In this study, the effect of Bacillus firmus sw40 as efficient AHL‐degrading strain on virulence of fish pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila and disease resistance of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio was investigated. The results demonstrated that in vitro the B. firmus sw40 extracellular production (ECP) was able to significantly decrease protease production, haemolytic activity and biofilm formation in A. hydrophila. Dietary administration of B. firmus sw40 (10⁹ CFU/g) for 4 weeks significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokines TNF‐1a, TNF‐2a and IFN‐γ genes expression, antioxidant parameter MDA and GSH levels in serum and increased antioxidant enzyme SOD activity. Besides, B. firmus sw40 could significantly increase the survival of gibel carp with pathogenic A. hydrophila infection.