Dietary garlic and chitosan enhanced the antioxidant capacity, immunity, and modulated the transcription of HSP70 and Cytokine genes in Zearalenone-intoxicated European seabass

Sulforaphane modulates some stress parameters in TPT-exposed Cyprinus carpio in relation to liver metabolome

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on liver injury induced by triphenyltin (TPT) in Cyprinus carpio (C. carpio). The fish (average weight of 56.9±0.4 g) were divided into 4 groups with four replicates: the control, TPT, SFN+TPT and SFN groups. Twenty fish were selected from each tank and cultured for 8 weeks. Then, serum and liver samples were collected for physiological, biochemical and metabolomic analyses. In the present study, TPT downregulated the expression of the lysozyme gene, upregulated HSP70 and Hsp90 gene expression, and decreased the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPX). However, dietary SFN alleviated oxidative stress, and prevented changes in immune genes. Metabolomic analysis revealed that TPT exposure changed key metabolites in the main phenylalanine, fatty acid and glycerophosphatide metabolic pathways, which are related to inflammation, oxidative stress and immunity and might also lead to an imbalance of liver energy and lipid metabolism. Dietary SFN promoted amino acid metabolism and increased metabolites related to immunity, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and protein synthesis in liver of C. carpio. In summary, dietary SFN supplementation reversed TPT-induced decreases in immunity and oxidative stress and regulated amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammation and immunity-related metabolic pathways.

Allium sativum L. var. Voghiera Reduces Aflatoxin B1 Bioaccessibility and Cytotoxicity In Vitro

The present work focuses on the evaluation of AFB1's bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity in vitro using bread (naturally contaminated) enriched or not enriched with fresh Voghiera garlic (2%). Two different experiments were carried out: experiment 1 (E1), with low-AFB1-concentration breads (1.6-1.7 mg/kg); and experiment 2 (E2), with high-AFB1-concentration breads (96.4-102.7 mg/kg). Eight breads were prepared, four for E1 (experiment 1) and another four for E2 (experiment 2), with each experiment having a control group (C), a garlic-enriched group (2%) (G), an AFB1 group (A), and an AFB1 + garlic group (A + G). Simulated digestion was performed on each type of bread, and gastric and intestinal digests were obtained. AFB1 content in flours, baked bread, and gastric and intestinal digests was measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Fluorescence Detection. The results demonstrate dose-dependent AFB1 bioaccessibility and that the presence of garlic contributed to its reduction in both doses (7-8%). Moreover, garlic's presence in AFB1-contaminated bread increased cell viability (9-18%) in differentiated Caco-2 cells and mitigated the arrest of S and G2/M phases provoked by AFB1 on Jurkat T cells and reduced apoptosis/necrosis, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial ROS by 16%, 71%, and 24% respectively. The inclusion of garlic as a functional ingredient helped relieve the presence and effects of AFB1.

Crosstalk between Mycotoxins and Intestinal Microbiota and the Alleviation Approach via Microorganisms

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungus. Due to their widespread distribution, difficulty in removal, and complicated subsequent harmful by-products, mycotoxins pose a threat to the health of humans and animals worldwide. Increasing studies in recent years have highlighted the impact of mycotoxins on the gut microbiota. Numerous researchers have sought to illustrate novel toxicological mechanisms of mycotoxins by examining alterations in the gut microbiota caused by mycotoxins. However, few efficient techniques have been found to ameliorate the toxicity of mycotoxins via microbial pathways in terms of animal husbandry, human health management, and the prognosis of mycotoxin poisoning. This review seeks to examine the crosstalk between five typical mycotoxins and gut microbes, summarize the functions of mycotoxins-induced alterations in gut microbes in toxicological processes and investigate the application prospects of microbes in mycotoxins prevention and therapy from a variety of perspectives. The work is intended to provide support for future research on the interaction between mycotoxins and gut microbes, and to advance the technology for preventing and controlling mycotoxins.

Garlic Powder Supplementation Improves Growth, Nonspecific Immunity, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Flora of Chinese Mitten Crabs (Eriocheir sinensis)

This study was conducted to survey the effects of garlic powder on growth performance, nonspecific immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal flora structure of Chinese mitten crabs. Altogether, 216 crabs which originally weigh 20.71 ± 0.13 g were randomly allocated into three treatment groups with 6 replicates of 12 crabs per replicate. The control group (CN) was fed a basal diet, while the other two groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1000 mg/kg (GP1000) and 2000 mg/kg (GP2000) garlic powder, respectively. This trial lasted 8 weeks. The results showed that the supplementation of garlic powder improved the final body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate of the crabs (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, in serum, better nonspecific immune was confirmed by the enhancement of phenoloxidase and lysozyme levels, with the improvement of phosphatase activities in GP1000 and GP2000 (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidases, and total superoxide dismutase in serum and hepatopancreas were increased (P < 0.05) while malondialdehyde content declined (P < 0.05) as the garlic powder was added to the basal diet. And, catalase in serum also shows an increase (P < 0.05). In both GP1000 and GP2000, genes related to antioxidant and immunity, for instance, Toll-like receptor 1, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, myeloid differentiation factor 88, TuBe, Dif, relish, crustins, antilipopolysaccharide factor, lysozyme, and prophenoloxidase mRNA expression levels, were increased (P < 0.05). The abundance of Rhizobium and Rhodobacter was reduced by adding garlic powder (P < 0.05). This study indicated that dietary addition of garlic powder promoted growth, enhanced nonspecific immunity and antioxidant capacity, activated Toll pathway, IMD pathway, and proPO system, increased antimicrobial peptide expression, while simultaneously improving the intestinal flora of Chinese mitten crabs.

Selenium-chitosan alleviates the toxic effects of Zearalenone on antioxidant and immune function in mice

This study assessed the protective effects of selenium-chitosan (SC) against antioxidant and immune function-related damage induced by zearalenone (ZEN) in mice. In total, 150 female mice were allotted to five groups for a 30-day study. Control mice were fed a basal diet. Mice in the ZEN, ZEN-Se1, ZEN-Se2 and ZEN-Se3 groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with same dose of ZEN (2 mg/kg) and different doses of SC, 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg, respectively (calculated by selenium). After 30 days, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma and liver, as well as Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation, plasma interleukins concentrations and liver interleukin mRNA expression levels were determined. The plasma and liver GSH-Px activities, liver T-AOC levels, Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation, interleukin (IL) contents and mRNA expression levels in the ZEN group were significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), whereas plasma and liver MDA contents in the ZEN group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Additionally, plasma and liver GSH-Px activities, liver T-AOC levels, Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation, IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-2 and IL-6 contents and mRNA expression levels in ZEN+Se2 and ZEN+Se3 groups were significantly higher than in the ZEN group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), whereas plasma and liver MDA contents in the ZEN+Se2 and ZEN+Se3 groups were significantly lower than in the ZEN group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The plasma and liver GSH-Px activities, Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation, IL-1β and IL-6 contents, IL-2 and IL-17A mRNA expression levels in the ZEN+Se1 group were also significantly higher than in the ZEN group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), whereas the plasma MDA content in the ZEN+Se1 group was also significantly lower than in the ZEN group (P < 0.01). Thus, SC may alleviate antioxidant function-related damage and immunosuppression induced by ZEN in mice.

Microencapsulated dietary supplementation coupled with sexual inversion improves the immune and antioxidant response of Nile tilapia larvae under stressful conditions

In tilapia aquaculture, the cultivation of single-sex animals is extremely widespread, as it allows for the standardization of lots, in addition to improving the general performance of the animals. However, it is possible that hormonal inversion interacts with other factors, such as environmental and nutritional management, and modulates the immune response and antioxidant system of animals in a distinct manner. In order to test this hypothesis, an experiment was carried out using Nile tilapia larvae six days after hatching, divided into four experimental groups: NI (non-inverted animals), I (sexual inverted animals), NI + M (non-inverted supplemented with microencapsulated products) and I + M (sexual inverted and supplemented with microencapsulated products; half of which were subjected to transportation-related stress after 28 days of the experiment. At the end, the survival rate was evaluated; the gene expression of heat shock protein (HSP70), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2) via RT-PCR; also evaluated were the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, as well as the total antioxidant capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Animals from the I and I + M groups had the highest survival rate (p < 0.001) regardless of transportation stress. The highest expressions of HSP70 were found in the NI group (p < 0.001, with and without transportation). For the IL-1β gene, there was an increase in expression for animals belonging to groups NI and NI + M (no transportation); and NI (p < 0.0001, with transportation). Increased COX 2 expression was observed for all groups after transportation (p < 0.0001). The highest SOD activities were observed in groups I and I + M (without transportation, p = 0.0004), and I (with transportation, p < 0.0001). The transportation decreased the total antioxidant capacity of DPPH in all treatments (p < 0.001). Finally, when evaluating all of the results together, we came to a conclusion that sex inversion improves the immune response and antioxidant profile of animals under stressful conditions when associated with microencapsulated dietary supplementation.

Antimicrobial and Immunoregulatory Activities of TS40, a Derived Peptide of a TFPI-2 Homologue from Black Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) is a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor. Previous reports have shown that TFPI-2 plays an important role in innate immunity, and the C-terminal region of TFPI-2 proved to be active against a broad-spectrum of microorganisms. In this study, the TFPI-2 homologue (SsTFPI-2) of black rockfish (Sebastods schegelii) was analyzed and characterized, and the biological functions of its C-terminal derived peptide TS40 (FVSRQSCMDVCAKGAKQHTSRGNVRRARRNRKNRITYLQA, corresponding to the amino acid sequence of 187-226) was investigated. The qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR) analysis showed that the expression of SsTFPI-2 was higher in the spleen and liver. The expression of SsTFPI-2 increased significantly under the stimulation of Listonella anguillarum. TS40 had a strong bactericidal effect on L. anguillarum and Staphylococcus aureus. Further studies found that TS40 can destroy the cell structure and enter the cytoplasm to interact with nucleic acids to exert its antibacterial activity. The in vivo study showed that TS40 treatment could significantly reduce the transmission of L. anguillarum and the viral evasion in fish. Finally, TS40 enhanced the respiratory burst ability, reactive oxygen species production and the expression of immune-related genes in macrophages, as well as promoted the proliferation of peripheral blood leukocytes. These results provide new insights into the role of teleost TFPI-2.

Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on growth, enzymological and biochemical responses and immune-related gene expressions in giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

In the current study, growth performance, biochemical constituents of muscle, activities of enzymes in the haemolymph, and expressions of immune-related genes were evaluated in the giant freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii fed diets supplemented with aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) extract at 0, 5, 10 and 20 g/kg (w/w) for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly improved in garlic-fed prawn groups compared with the control (p < 0.05). Moreover, feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in the garlic-fed groups than in the control (p < 0.05). Activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the hepatopancreas, activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and levels of albumin and total protein in the hemolymph were significantly increased in the garlic treatments (p < 0.05). Furthermore, garlic supplemented diets improved muscle biochemical profiles, particularly contents of crude protein and total ash and upregulations of immune deficiency and heat shock proteins (HSP70) gene expression (p < 0.05). Therefore, garlic has positive effects on growth performance and physio-biochemical responses of M. rosenbergii, and thus, it can be used as an additive for stress resistance and as a growth promoter in sustainable aquaculture.

Estrogen Receptors Mediated Negative Effects of Estrogens and Xenoestrogens in Teleost Fishes-Review

Estrogen receptors (ERs) play a key role in many biochemical and physiological processes, that are involved in maintaining organism homeostasis. At the most basic level, they can be divided into nuclear estrogen receptors and membrane estrogen receptors that imply their effect in two ways: slower genomic, and faster non-genomic. In these ways, estrogens and xenoestrogens can negatively affect animal health and welfare. Most of the available literature focuses on human and mammalian physiology, and clearly, we can observe a need for further research focusing on complex mutual interactions between different estrogens and xenoestrogens in aquatic animals, primarily fishes. Understanding the mechanisms of action of estrogenic compounds on the ERs in fishes and their negative consequences, may improve efforts in environmental protection of these animals and their environment and benefit society in return. In this review, we have summarized the ER-mediated effects of xenoestrogens and estrogens on teleost fishes metabolism, their carcinogenic potential, immune, circulatory, and reproductive systems.

Potential role of dietary chitosan nanoparticles against immunosuppression, inflammation, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations induced by pendimethalin toxicity in Nile tilapia

A 21-days feeding screening period was conducted to highlight the protective efficacy of dietary chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) on pendimethalin (PD)-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Hematology, non-specific immune response, the antioxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), glutathione reduced (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] in the liver and anterior kidney, changes of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes [interleukins-8 (IL-8), interleukins-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α)] in the anterior kidney and histopathological alterations were assessed. Fish (50 ± 7.5 g) were randomly assigned into four groups (Three replicates), the first group served as the negative control and fed on the control diet only, and the second group served as the positive control and fed on the control diet supplemented with CSNPs (1 g kg^-1 diet). The two other groups were exposed to 1/10 96-h LC₅₀ PD (0.5 mg L^-1) in rearing water and simultaneously fed the control diet alone or supplemented with CSNPs (1 g kg^-1 diet), respectively. Fish were fed on the experimental diets twice a day for 21 days. The results revealed that PD exposure caused a significant decline in the survival rate of the Nile tilapia, as well as in most of the hematological indices, respiratory burst activity, phagocytic activity, total immunoglobulin levels, lysozyme, and bactericidal activity. Additionally, PD toxicity markedly suppressed most of the antioxidative enzymatic activities in both tissues together with upregulation of immune genes (IL-8 and TNF-α); however, IL-1β expression remained unaffected. The histopathological results revealed marked pathological changes in spleen, liver and intestine with a notable decrease of intestinal goblet cells in PD-exposed groups. Conversely, CSNPs exerted protective effects through improving the above mentioned parameters. Thus, CSNPs supplementation exhibited defensive effects against PD toxicity in Nile tilapia that might provide an insight into the promising role of CSNPs as a potential immunomodulatory feed additive for tilapia in aquaculture.

Curcumin Extraction, Isolation, Quantification and Its Application in Functional Foods: A Review With a Focus on Immune Enhancement Activities and COVID-19

An entirely unknown species of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak occurred in December 2019. COVID-19 has already affected more than 180 million people causing ~3.91 million deaths globally till the end of June 2021. During this emergency, the food nutraceuticals can be a potential therapeutic candidate. Curcumin is the natural and safe bioactive compound of the turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plant and is known to possess potent anti-microbial and immuno-modulatory properties. This review paper covers the various extraction and quantification techniques of curcumin and its usage to produce functional food. The potential of curcumin in boosting the immune system has also been explored. The review will help develop insight and new knowledge about curcumin's role as an immune-booster and therapeutic agent against COVID-19. The manuscript will also encourage and assist the scientists and researchers who have an association with drug development, pharmacology, functional foods, and nutraceuticals to develop curcumin-based formulations.

Effects of Garlic Allium sativum Powder on Nutrient Digestibility, Haematology, and Immune and Stress Responses in Eurasian Perch Perca fluviatilis Juveniles

The supplementation of fish diets with phytogenics can increase growth performance and can modulate immune system response. European perch Perca fluviatilis (initial weight 25.0 ± 0.4 g) were fed a diet including 0 (Control), 10 (G10), 20 (G20), and 30 (G30) g kg-1 garlic powder. No significant difference in the growth parameters and somatic indices were observed. Significantly higher fat digestibility was observed in G10 and G30 diets compared to in the control and G20 diets(p < 0.05). Significantly greater red blood cell and white blood cell counts were observed with the G10 diet (p < 0.05). Garlic significantly decreased serum cholesterol in all of the experimental groups. Serum albumin was significantly higher in the G10 and G20 diets (p < 0.05). Immediately after the overcrowding stress challenge, the garlic groups showed significantly higher cortisol levels than the control group, while no significant difference was observed in the glucose concentration among groups. At 1 h post-stress, all of the groups that had been fed a garlic-supplemented diet showed lower cortisol levels than the control group, and this trend was maintained at 6 and 24 h post stress (p < 0.05), and glucose level in all garlic groups was significantly lower than control (p < 0.05). Garlic at 10 g kg-1 in feed can improve apparent fat digestibility and selected blood parameters and can enhance resistance against high-density and net handling stress in Eurasian perch.

Dietary spirulina (Arthrospira platenesis) mitigated the adverse effects of imidacloprid insecticide on the growth performance, haemato-biochemical, antioxidant, and immune responses of Nile tilapia

The present study was performed to evaluate the toxic effects of imidacloprid (IMI) insecticide on the growth performance, oxidative status, and immune response of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and the protective role of dietary supplementation of spirulina, Arthrospira platensis, (SP). Fish (20.2 ± 0.5 g) were assigned to bifactorial design (2 IMI levels x 3 SP levels) to represent 6 treatments in triplicates. Spirulina was incorporated in diets at levels of 0.0 (control), 20, and 40 g/kg diet. Under each SP level, fish were exposed to 0.0 or 0.05 μg IMI/L. Fish in each treatment were fed on the corresponding diets up to apparent satiation thrice a day for 8 weeks. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant decline in growth indices, hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the IMI-exposed fish. Contrariwise, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde levels were markedly higher along with significant reductions of the reduced glutathione, nitric oxide as well as lysozyme values in the IMI-exposed fish group. The dietary supplementation of SP showed stimulating effects on the growth performance, haemato-biochemical, oxidants/antioxidants, and immune biomarkers of Nile tilapia with optimum level of 20 g SP/kg diet. Interestingly, the dietary supplementation of SP to Nile tilapia attenuated the above-mentioned variables with improving the growth performance, haemato-biochemical, oxidative stress, and immunity biomarkers. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of 20 g SP /kg diet could be a valuable candidate as a natural antioxidant for ameliorating the IMI toxicity in Nile tilapia.