Dietary astaxanthin (Lucantin® Pink) mitigated oxidative stress induced by diazinon in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The potential of commercial astaxanthin on growth, biochemical factors, and antioxidant-related gene expression following a challenge with diazinon were studied in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish (~ 20.70 g) were fed diets containing commercial astaxanthin (ASX) at 0.00 (CTR and ASX0), 0.50 (ASX1), 2.00 (ASX2), and 5.00 (ASX3) g kg^-1 for 60 days. Afterwards, the treated fish (ASX1, ASX2, ASX3) as well as the fish in ASX0 group were challenged with diazinon (0.11 mg L^-1) for 96 hr whereas fish in the CTR group was not challenged with diazinon. Results showed that growth pattern improved significantly with all enriched diets compared to the ASX0 group. Metabolic enzyme activities, including alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase decreased in ASX2 and ASX3 groups with respect to the ASX0 group. Serum antioxidant status also showed the same pattern with enhancement in the fish fed with the ASX2 and ASX3 supplemented diets. Feeding the fish with astaxanthin, particularly in the ASX3 group, up-regulated the expression of some antioxidant-relevant genes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the kidney and liver. Besides, the histopathological damages in kidneys and liver induced by diazinon were less pronounced in the ASX2 and ASX3 groups compared to the ASX0 group. In conclusion, commercial astaxanthin, especially at 5.00 g kg^-1, enhanced the growth performance and ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by diazinon in rainbow trout.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple-dose levamisole in belugas (Huso huso): Main focus on immunity responses

The pharmacokinetics of levamisole were determined in the belugas after single intravascular (IV), and single and multiple-dose oral by feed administrations. Also, the effect of levamisole (LVM) on the stress and immune responses of belugas were assessed. One hundred-fourteen healthy belugas in 4 different groups received single LVM administration at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg via IV and oral routes. A separate group of 24 belugas were administered oral LVM at the dose of 100 mg/kg for 5 days. Blood samples were collected at different time points after administrations to measure plasma concentrations of LVM by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. For immunological evaluations, a total of 126 belugas received 50 and 100 mg/kg LVM via medicated feed for 5 days or served as the control without any medication; blood samples were recovered on day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 to measure hemolytic activity of the complement system (HAC₅₀), serum lysozyme activity, serum antibacterial activity, glucose, cortisol, total protein, albumin and C3 contents. In the single-dose administration, quantified LVM concentrations were dose-dependent and the oral bioavailability was in the range of 43.2-49.6%. In the multiple-dose administration, the peak plasma concentration at the steady state was 45.2 mg/ml, and accumulation ratio was calculated as 3.6. In the immunological study, LVM especially at the dose of 100 mg/kg increased HAC₅₀, lysozyme and antibacterial activity in the sera of treated fish. No significant effect of LVM on glucose and albumin content was observed, but cortisol levels decreased and C₃ content was increased, more significantly by LVM at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Our results indicate that LVM is well absorbed after oral administration and reached to concentrations that can affect stress indicators and improve immune responses in belugas.

Pharmacokinetics of levamisole after intramuscular and oral administrations to Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius)

The pharmacokinetic parameters of levamisole were determined in the Caspian salmon after intramuscular (IM), oral by gavage, and oral by feed administrations. Eighty-one healthy fish in three different groups received levamisole at the dose of 25 mg/fish by each route. Blood samples were collected at time points of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, and 24 hr after administrations. Plasma levamisole concentrations were measured by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay and were analyzed using a noncompartmental approach. The mean terminal half-life was 4.56, 3.95, and 2.91 hr for IM, gavage and feed routes, respectively. The peak plasma concentration for IM, gavage, and feed routes of levamisole were 35.53, 4.63, and 8.36 µg/ml, respectively, at the time of 0.25 for IM, and 1 hr for gavage and feed. The relative bioavailability for gavage and feed routes was 54.80 and 69.30. The similar bioavailability for gavage and feed might be indicative of similar efficacy for these routes of administrations. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the absolute oral bioavailability and the effective dose in Caspian salmon.

Parasitic fauna of Gobiidae in Mazandaran coastal zones, north of Iran 2011

Gobiidae is considered as one of the diverse families of fishes in Caspian Sea. Due to abundant species and no harvest, this family plays an important role in ecology and feed chain of fishes in Caspian Sea. Present study was performed to determine parasitic fauna of Gobiidae in southern parts of Caspian Sea (coasts of Nowshahr, Sorkhrood, Jouybar, Sari and Amirabad). Primarily, length and weight of each fish was measured. Then, fish's various organs were examined by routine parasitology methods. From 150 fishes which were caught from six studied coastal zones, 51 (34 %) were infected. Majority of caught fishes was belonged to sand goby (Neogobius fluviatilis pallasi) and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) was the least. Highest rate of infection was seen in N. fluviatilis pallasi while, this percentage in round goby (N. melanostomus) was low (8.57 %) and in Caspian bighead goby (Neogobius kessleri gorlap) no parasitic infection was observed. Most of infected fishes were from Jouybar coastal zone while Nowshahr coastal zone had the lowest infection rate. In present study parasites such as Dactylogyrus, Rhobdochona fortuneti and Bothrocephalus gowkogensis were diagnosed in Caspian gobies. Regarding importance of gobies in chain feed of other fishes and their indirect economic importance, need of diagnosing of gobies parasitic fauna seems to be essential.

The Synergistic (MARATHON) Effect of Combined Methamphetamine with Sexual Stimulant Drugs on Increasing the Likelihood of High-Risk Sexual Behaviors

BACKGROUND

Chronic drug abuse and sexual dysfunction specifically erectile dysfunction may lead drug abusers to seek over-the-counter or non-prescription medications, out of which Sildenafil citrate, sold as the trade name of Viagra® can be considered as a prime and important treatment. Therefore, the research purpose was to draw a comparison and review the role of methamphetamine abuse and sildenafil use in increasing the likelihood of high-risk sexual behaviors (both concomitant and non-concomitant use).

METHODS

Hence, a total of 40 patients diagnosed with methamphetamine abuse were recruited through the administration of structured clinical interview for DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition), through purposive sampling and subsequent to being qualified in accordance with the selection criteria by psychologists and general practitioners. All the 40 drug abusers (20 methamphetamine abusers with concomitant use of Aphrodisiac drugs (sexual stimulant pills) and 20 methamphetamine abusers) described their sexual risk behaviors subsequent to the drug use.

FINDINGS

Supported the between-group difference that is to say that, the group with concomitant methamphetamine abuse differed significantly in all the items when compared with the control group. However, this group scored lower on the item of sexual intercourse with drug addicted prostitutes using condom and both groups demonstrated high pick on this item.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the concomitant methamphetamine chronic abuse with sexual stimulant drugs generates Aphrodisiac drugs impulses and is found to be related to higher frequencies of sexual risk behaviors and sexual intercourse with addicted prostitutes.