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.     

Preventive and reparative effects of isoleucine against copper-induced oxidative damage in primary fish enterocytes

The present study aimed to assess the possible preventive and reparative effects of isoleucine (Ile) against copper (Cu)-induced oxidative stress in fish enterocytes in vitro. In experiment 1, enterocytes were preincubated with increasing concentrations of Ile (0, 50, 120, 190, 260, and 330 mg L^?1) for 72 h followed by exposure to 6 mg L^?1 Cu for 24 h. In experiment 2, the enterocytes were pretreated with 6 mg L^?1 Cu for 24 h and then treated with 0–330 mg L^?1 Ile for 72 h to investigate its potential reparative role. The results of experiment 1 showed that Cu exposure increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl (PC) content; these changes were completely suppressed by pretreatment with Ile at optimum concentrations (P < 0.05). Moreover, Ile pretreatment prevented the decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the enterocytes exposed to Cu (P < 0.05). Additionally, cells exposed to Cu exhibited adaptive increases in glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity. In experiment 2, the LDH activity and protein oxidation induced by Cu were completely reversed by Ile posttreatment. Meanwhile, the Cu-induced decrease in SOD, GPx, and GST activity was completely reversed by subsequent Ile treatment, but the reduced glutathione content was not restored. Collectively, these results indicate that Ile suppresses Cu-induced oxidative damage via preventive and reparative pathways in primary enterocytes and thus protects the structural integrity of enterocytes in fish.     

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.     

氨和空气暴露对大鳞副泥鳅肝脏抗氧化能力的影响

将大鳞副泥鳅(Paramisgurnus dabryanus)分别暴露于30 mmol/L NH4C1溶液和空气中,以评价氨和空气暴露对其肝脏抗氧化能力的影响.结果显示,氨暴露并未引起大鳞副泥鳅肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性的显著变化,仅空气暴露12h后,大鳞副泥鳅肝脏SOD...     

不同温度下BDE-209对草鱼离体肝脏组织的毒性效应

为探讨不同温度条件下十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)对鱼类的毒性影响,以草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼离体肝脏组织为试验材料,在肝脏组织匀浆液中加入浓度为0.00、0.04、4.00、400.00μg/L的BDE-209,并将其分别置于低温(15℃)、常温(25℃)、高温(35℃)中水浴60 min,然后检测肝脏组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性以及丙二醛(MDA)的含量。结果显示:低温时各浓度组BDE-209诱导下的SOD、CAT、GR活性与对照组没有显著性差异;常温时BDE-209对SOD、CAT、GR活性具有低浓度诱导高浓度抑制的现象,高温时BDE-209对肝脏组织中CAT、SOD、GR活性造成明显的抑制效应,MDA在不同温度条件下其含量都随BDE-209暴露浓度的升高而升高。研究结果表明:在一定的温度范围内,温度越高,BDE-209对鱼体肝脏组织造成的氧化损伤越大。     

Nutritional history does not modulate hepatic oxidative status of European sea bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>) submitted to handling stress

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of an acute handling stress on hepatic oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed diets differing in lipid so urce and carbohydrate content. For that purpose, four diets were formulated with fish oil (FO) and vegetable oils (VO) as lipid source and with 20 or 0% gelatinized starch as carbohydrate source. Triplicate groups of fish with 74 g were fed each diet during 13 weeks and then subjected to an acute handling stress. Stress exposure decreased hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Independent of dietary treatment, stress exposure increased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO). Stressed fish exhibited lower glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, independent of previous nutritional history. In the VO groups, stress exposure increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Diet composition had no effect on Ht and Hb levels. In contrast, dietary carbohydrate decreased hepatic LPO and CAT activity and increased glutathione reductase (GR) and G6PD activities. Dietary lipids had no effect on LPO. Fish fed the VO diets exhibited higher G6PD activity than fish fed the FO diets. In conclusion, dietary carbohydrates contributed to the reduction of oxidative stress in fish. However, under the imposed handling stress conditions, liver enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms were not enhanced, which may explain the overall increased oxidative stress.     

Effects of diludine supplementation on growth performance,liver antioxidant enzyme activities and muscular trace elements of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles at a low water temperature

Diludine is used as an effective agent reducing mutagenic effects of environmental pollutants, increasing productivity and protecting reproductive system of parental individuals and quality of their offspring. A 10‐week study was conducted to evaluate potential effects of diludine on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles growth performance, feed utilization, survival rate, liver antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC1.15.1.1 ; catalase, CAT, EC1.11.1.16 ; glutathione peroxidase, GPx, EC 1.11.1.9 ; glutathione reductase, GR, EC1.6.4.2 ; glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD, EC1.1.1.49 and glutathione S‐transferase, GST, EC1.5.1.18 ), the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation marker and muscular trace elements at a low water temperature (9 °C). Diludine was added at 0.2, 0.5 and 1 g kg^?1 to a fish meal–based control diet, and each diet was fed to triplicate groups of rainbow trout juveniles. After 10 weeks, there were no differences in survival rate between fish fed experimental diets (P > 0.05). It was observed that a significant improvability existed for both growth and feed utilization in fish fed diets supplemented with diludine (P < 0.05). Antioxidant enzymes showed significantly increased activity in liver tissues (P < 0.05) and then a decrease to initial activity levels during the experimental time. (GPx activity was not determined in the juvenile livers.) SOD and GST activities in liver of fish fed the diets with diludine tended to be higher and GR activity tended to be lower than that in fish fed the basal diet. However, in general, it was determined that different concentration of diludine did not affect the studied antioxidant enzyme activities except G6PD in the liver of juveniles fed the diet with 1 g kg^?1 diludine. On the other hand, the significant reduction was found in MDA levels in the fish fed the diets with diludine compared with basal diet on the 14th and 28th days of experiment. It was also observed that Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn and Se levels were significantly higher in the juveniles fed the diet with 1 g kg^?1 diludine than those fed the basal diet. In conclusion, the results of this trial indicate that 1 g kg^?1 dietary supplementation with diludine seems to be most positive for rainbow trout production in cold‐water adaptation.     

The effect of dietary cricket meal (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gryllus bimaculatus</Emphasis>) on growth performance,antioxidant enzyme activities,and haematological response of African catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>)

This study was conducted to investigate the growth performance, biomarkers of oxidative stress, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) as well as the haematological response of African catfish after being fed with fish feed containing different levels of cricket meal. The juvenile fish were assigned to three different treatments with isonitrogenous (35 %) and isoenergetic (19 kJ g^?1) diets containing 100 % cricket meal (100 % CM), 75 % cricket meal (75 % CM), and 100 % fishmeal (100 % FM) as control groups for 7 weeks. The results indicated that a diet containing 100 % CM and 75 % CM improved growth performance in terms of body weight gain and specific growth rate, when compared to 100 % FM. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) did not differ significantly between all diets, but reduced FCR and increased PER were observed with a higher inclusion of cricket meal. A haematological examination of fish demonstrated no significant difference of red blood cells in all diets and white blood cells showed a significantly higher value in fishmeal-fed fish. On the other hand, haemoglobin and haematocrit significantly increased with increasing amounts of cricket meal in the diet. Antioxidant activity of CAT was higher in the 100 % CM group compared to fish fed other diets, whereas GST and SOD showed increasing trends with a higher incorporation of cricket, although insignificant differences were observed between all diets. These results suggest that cricket meal could be an alternative to fishmeal as a protein source in the African catfish diet.     

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.     

Response of gastrointestinal melatonin,antioxidants, and digestive enzymes to altered feeding conditions in carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Catla catla</Emphasis>)

The purpose of present study was to ascertain whether the response of gastrointestinal (gut) melatonin to altered feeding conditions was related to the levels of different antioxidants and digestive enzymes in the same gut tissues of a sub-tropical carp (Catla catla). Accordingly, the fish were subjected to food deprivation for 4 or 8 days and separately to re-feeding for 4 or 8 or 12 days after deprivation of food for 8 days, and their gut tissue homogenates were used to measure the levels of melatonin, both enzymatic [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and non-enzymatic [reduced glutathione (GSH)] antioxidants, as well as different digestive enzymes (α-amylase, cellulase, protease, and lipase). Notably, the gut levels of melatonin, SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST underwent gradual increase with the progress of food deprivation, but a sudden fall after restoration of food supply for 4 days and a rise thereafter. Conversely, the activity of all the digestive enzymes significantly decreased after deprivation of food, but started increasing when food supply was reinforced. Gut melatonin concentrations by showing a positive correlation with the titers of different antioxidants (in both food-deprived and re-fed fish groups) and a negative (in food-deprived fish) or a positive (in re-fed fish) correlation with the activity of each digestive enzyme underlined possible physiological interplay between them. Collectively, our findings lend support to the hypothesis that gut melatonin response to altered feeding conditions in carp might be associated with the oxidative status as well as the digestive functions of the gastrointestinal tissues itself.     

低氧胁迫对河川沙塘鳢抗氧化酶及ATP酶活性的影响

研究了在急性低氧1.5 h、5 h和慢性低氧3 d下,河川沙塘鳢(Odontobutis potamophila)5种组织(心、脑、肝、鳃和肾)的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)3种抗氧化酶和ATP酶活性的变化规律。结果显示:在急性低氧暴露1.5 h时,河川沙塘鳢SOD和GPX的活力在各组织中与对照组相比均无显著差异,CAT活力在心、鳃和肝3种组织呈现显著升高(P0.05),ATP酶活力在心和肝组织极显著升高(P0.01);在急性低氧暴露5 h时,除肝组织SOD酶活性显著降低外(P0.05),其它4种组织的CAT、GPX和ATP酶均不同程度显著升高(P0.05);在慢性低氧处理3 d时,心、脑组织的抗氧化酶已基本恢复至与对照组无显著差异的水平,但鳃、肝和肾中酶活力仍较高(P0.05)。研究表明,河川沙塘鳢能通过自身调节抗氧化酶及ATP酶活性,改变代谢底物,提高机体适应低氧环境的能力。     

Accumulation and biochemical effects of microcystin-LR on the Patagonian pejerrey (Odontesthes hatcheri) fed with the toxic cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa

We studied accumulation and biochemical effects of microcystin-LR (MCLR) in Odontesthes hatcheri after dietary administration of the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa (1.3 μg MCLR/g body mass, incorporated in standard fish food). After 12 h, MCLR content in liver did not differ between fish fed with crushed or intact cells, demonstrating O. hatcheri’s capacity to digest cyanobacteria and absorb MCLR. In the second experiment, fish received toxic cells, non-toxic cells, or control food; MCLR accumulation was monitored for 48 h. Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, and lipid peroxidation (as MDA) were measured in liver and intestine. Methanol-extractable MCLR was determined by PP1 inhibition assay (PPIA); extractable and protein-bound MCLR were measured by Lemieux oxidation-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). MCLR accumulated rapidly up to 22.9 and 9.4 μg MCLR/g in intestine and liver, respectively, followed by a decreasing tendency. Protein-bound MCLR represented 66 to ca. 100 % of total MCLR in both tissues. PP1 activity remained unchanged in intestine but was increased in liver of MCLR treated fish.CAT and GST activities and MDA content were significantly increased by MCLR only in liver. We conclude that O. hatcheri is able to digest cyanobacteria, accumulating MCLR mostly bound to proteins. Our data suggest that this freshwater fish can be adversely affected by cyanobacterial blooms. However, the rapid decrease of the detectable MCLR in both tissues could imply that sublethal toxin accumulation is rapidly reversed.     

Protection of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) spermatozoa motility under oxidative stress by antioxidants and seminal plasma

The protective influence of seminal plasma and the antioxidants catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GTH) on quality parameters, oxidative stress indices, and antioxidant activity was studied in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) spermatozoa exposed to the xanthine–xanthine oxidase (X–XO) system. Fish spermatozoa were incubated for 5 and 20 min at 4 °C with X–XO concentrations of 1 mM X–0.1 U/mL, 0.6 mM X–0.05 U/mL, 0.3 mM X–0.025 U/mL, and 0.1 mM X–0.0125 U/mL. A dose-dependent reduction in spermatozoa motility and velocity was observed at concentrations of 0.1 mM X–0.0125 U/mL to 1 mM X–0.1 U/mL XO. Increase in spermatozoa motility parameters was recorded following treatment with antioxidants and seminal plasma. The level of the oxidative stress indices lipid peroxidation (LPO) and carbonyl derivatives of proteins (CP) was significantly reduced after addition of CAT, SOD, or GTH along with seminal plasma. Significant differences in SOD, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase activity were seen in spermatozoa incubated with, compared to that without, seminal plasma at all studied X–XO concentrations. The data demonstrated that CAT, SOD, or GTH in combination with SP can reduce reactive oxygen species stress in fish spermatozoa and improve spermatozoa quality.     

Effects of dietary reduced glutathione on the growth and antioxidant capacity of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

To investigate the effects of dietary reduced glutathione (GSH) on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), 396 juvenile fish with initial body weight of 143.07 ± 6.56 g were randomly distributed into four groups fed four diets with graded supplementation levels of GSH (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg diet) for 83 days. The results showed that the appropriate GSH supplementation (100 and 200 mg/kg diet) significantly increased the growth performance, activities and gene mRNA expression levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione transferase (GST), and the content of GSH and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), whereas it significantly decreased activities and gene mRNA expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA; p < 0.05). However, the excess dietary GSH (400 mg/kg diet) had an adverse effect on the all above indexes. Interestingly, the dietary GSH had the opposite effect on GSH‐related antioxidant enzymes (GPx and GST) and other antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). The results showed that the diet with 200 mg/kg GSH supplementation was optimal for the juvenile Atlantic salmon, which had a measured GSH content of 209.54 mg/kg.     

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.     

Influence of dietary zinc on lipid peroxidation,protein oxidation and antioxidant defence of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

This study was conducted to study the effects of dietary zinc on lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant defence of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) by feeding fish with increasing levels of zinc (15.3, 26.9, 40.8, 58.2, 68.9 and 92.5 mg Zn kg^?1) for 6 weeks. Results indicated that malondialdehyde (MDA) content and protein carbonyls (PC) in serum were the highest in fish fed diet containing 15.3 mg zinc kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Serum antisuperoxide anion (ASA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione reductase (GR) activities and glutathione (GSH) content were improved with increasing dietary zinc levels up to 40.8 mg zinc kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05) and levelled off (P > 0.05). Serum antihydroxy radical (AHR), catalase (CAT) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities followed the similar pattern to that observed in ASA. The MDA and PC levels, ASA, AHR, SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST activities and GSH content in intestine, hepatosomatic and muscle tissue followed the similar pattern to that observed in serum. The present results indicated that zinc decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation and improved antioxidant defence in fish.     

The effects of dietary thiamin on oxidative damage and antioxidant defence of juvenile fish

The present study explored the effects of thiamin on antioxidant capacity of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). In a 60-day feeding trial, a total of 1,050 juvenile Jian carp (8.20 ± 0.02 g) were fed graded levels of thiamin at 0.25, 0.48, 0.79, 1.06, 1.37, 1.63 and 2.65 mg thiamin kg^?1 diets. The results showed that malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents in serum, hepatopancreas, intestine and muscle were significantly decreased with increasing dietary thiamin levels (P < 0.05). Conversely, the anti-superoxide anion capacity and anti-hydroxyl radical capacity in serum, hepatopancreas, intestine and muscle were the lowest in fish fed the thiamin-unsupplemented diet. Meanwhile, the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase, and the contents of glutathione in serum, hepatopancreas, intestine and muscle were enhanced with increasing dietary thiamin levels (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum, hepatopancreas and intestine followed a similar trend as CAT (P < 0.05). However, SOD activity in muscle was not affected by dietary thiamin level (P > 0.05). The results indicated that thiamin could improve antioxidant defence and inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation of juvenile Jian carp.     

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Astragalus polysaccharides against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocyte damage in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The present study is aiming at evaluating the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatocyte and liver injury in common carp in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, APS (200, 400 and 800 μg/ml) was added to the carp primary hepatocytes before (pre-treatment), after (post-treatment) and both before and after (pre- and post-treatment) the incubation of the hepatocytes with CCl₄ at 8 mM in the culture medium. APS at concentrations of 200, 400 and 800 μg/ml significantly improved cell viability and inhibited the elevation of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxalate transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly increased the reduced level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In vivo administration of APS at the doses of 1.5 and 3 g/kg in the diet for 60 days prior to CCl₄ intoxication significantly reduced the elevated activities of GPT, GOT and LDH and increased the reduced levels of total protein and albumin in the serum; meanwhile, the reduced levels of SOD, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were markedly increased and the MDA formation was significantly inhibited in liver tissue. Overall results proved the hepatoprotective action of APS, which is likely related to its antioxidant activity. The results support the use of APS as a hepatoprotective and antioxidant agent in fish.