Epidemiology suggests ambient temperature is the triggers and potential activator of asthma. The role of high and low temperatures on airway inflammation of asthma, and the underlying molecular mechanism are not yet understood. A mouse model of asthma was adopted in our experiment. The BALB/c mice were exposed at different temperature for 4 h (2 h in the morning and 2 h in the afternoon) on weekday. The exposure temperatures were 10 °C, 24 °C and 40 °C. Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to sensitize the mice on days 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30, followed by an aerosol challenge for 30 min from day 32–38. After the final OVA challenge, lung function, serum protein and pulmonary inflammation were assessed. Comparing the OVA with the saline group at 24 °C, we saw a significant increase in: serum Total-IgE (p < 0.05); OVA-sIgE (p < 0.01); IL-4 (p < 0.05); IL-1β (p < 0.01); IL-6 (p < 0.01); TNF-α (p < 0.01); and the ratio of IL-4/IFN-γ (p < 0.01). At the same time, there was a significant decrease in IFN-γ (p < 0.01). As the temperature increase, there is a U shape for immune proteins and pro-inflammatory factors with a peak value at 24 °C, exception for IFN-γ (inverted U-shape). After the high and low temperature exposure, the Ri and Re increased significantly, while Cldyn decreased significantly compared with the 24 °C group. Histopathological analysis of the OVA groups showed airway remodeling, airway wall thickening and deforming, and subepithelial fibrosis. More obvious changes were found in the high and low temperature exposure groups. The immunohistochemistry suggested that TRPs changed with temperatures. High and low temperatures can aggravate airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. TRPs play an important role in temperature aggravation of allergic asthma. The results suggest that asthmatics should avoid exposure to high and low temperatures for too long time.

The presence of microplastics in the various food web raised concerns on human health, but little is known about the target cells and mechanism of toxicity of microplastics. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of microplastics using relevant cell lines to the oral route of exposure. Approximately 100 μm-sized fragment-type polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) particles were prepared by sieving after pulverization and further applied the accelerated weathering using ultraviolet and heat. Thus, the panel of microplastics includes fresh PP (f-PP), fresh PS (f-PS), weathered PP (w-PP), and weathered PS (w-PS). The spherical PS with a similar size was used as a reference particle. Treatment of all types of PP and PS did not show any toxic effects to the Caco-2 cells and HepG2 cells. However, the treatment of microplastics to THP-1 macrophages showed significant toxicity in the order of f-PS > f-PP > w-PS > w-PP. The weathering process significantly reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation potential of both microplastics because the weathered microplastics have an increased affinity to bind serum protein which acts as a ROS scavenger. The intrinsic ROS generation potential of microplastics showed a good correlation with the toxicity endpoints including cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the target cell type of microplastics via oral administration can be macrophages and the pathogenic factor to THP-1 macrophages is the intrinsic ROS generation potential of microplastics. Nevertheless, the toxic effect of microplastics tested in this study was much less than that of nano-sized particles.

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dried sweet orange peel (SOP) and lemon grass leaves (LGL) as feed additives on broiler growth performance, serum metabolites, and antioxidant status. A total of 192-day-old (Ross 308) broiler chickens were distributed randomly into 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicates per each treatment. The dietary treatments included a control diet without any feed additive (T1), a diet containing 0.8 % SOP (T2), a diet containing 0.8 % LGL (T3), and a diet containing combination of 0.4 % SOP + 0.4 % LGL (T4) was fed during the growth period from 22 to 42 days. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass traits, serum components, and antioxidant status were measured. At the end of the experimental period, the results indicated that supplementation of SOP and LGL alone or in combination did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect BWG, FI, FCR, and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. Serum total protein was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in T3 and T4 compared to the other treatments. Also, serum globulin increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the treated groups. Serum glucose, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and very low density lipoprotein decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the treatment groups, while cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein decreased in T2 compared to the other groups. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher total antioxidant status was observed in T2 compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, these results indicate that SOP, LGL, and their combination may positively modify some serum components and the antioxidant status without any beneficial effect on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens.

This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces boulardii, oregano, and calcium montmorillonite on the physical growth, intestinal histomorphology, and blood metabolites in Salmonella-challenged birds during the finisher phase. In this study, a total of 600 chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed into the following dietary treatments: basal diet with no treatment; infected with Salmonella; T1, infected + avilamycin; T2, infected + Bacillus subtilis; T3, Saccharomyces boulardii; T4, infected + oregano; T5, infected + calcium montmorillonite. Our results indicated that feed consumption, body weight gain, total body weight, and feed conversion ratio increased significantly (P < 0.01) in T1 and T2. Villus width increased significantly (P < 0.01) in T1 while the total area was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in T1 and T2 among the treatment groups. Blood protein was significantly (P < 0.01) high in T3 and T4; however, the glucose concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) high in T2, T3, and T4. The treatments increased significantly (P< 0.01) in the treatment groups compared to the negative control. Aspirate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly (P < 0.05) low in T3 compared to the positive control. In conclusion, the results indicated that supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and calcium montmorillonite improved the production performance compared to other feed additives in broiler chicks infected with Salmonella during the finisher phase.

Copper has toxic effects in fish, whereas the cyanobacterium Spirulina reportedly has protective effects against metal toxicity in various animal species. The current study, therefore, aimed to investigate the prophylactic role of Spirulina platensis against the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO₄) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Biochemical, antioxidant, erthyron profile and histopathological endpoints were assessed after for 15 days of exposure in five separate treatment groups: (1) fish pre-fed the normal diet (control), (2) fish pre-fed the normal diet and exposed to 15 mg/L of CuSO₄, (3) fish pre-fed the normal diet augmented with 0.25% Spirulina and exposed to 15 mg/L of CuSO₄, (4) fish pre-fed the normal diet and exposed to 15 mg/L of CuO-NPs, and (5) fish pre-fed the normal diet augmented with 0.25% Spirulina and exposed to 15 mg/L CuO-NPs. Exposure to CuSO₄ or CuO-NPs significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in fish, as well as serum total protein, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations. In contrast, most hematological indices in fish significantly decreased after CuSO₄ or CuO-NPs exposure. Moreover, CuSO₄ and CuO-NPs caused a significant increase in the percentage of poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities of red blood cells, as well as histopathological changes in the brain, liver, intestine, and kidneys. Importantly, Spirulina supplementation mitigated against physiological disruption caused by CuSO₄ or CuO-NPs.

This study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of curcumin (CUR) vs. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against paracetamol (PCM)-induced oxidative damage and impairment of liver, kidney, and testicular functions, as well as hematotoxicity, in albino rats. A large single dose of PCM induced lipid peroxidation along with a significant decline in glutathione content and catalase activity in the liver, kidneys, and testicles. The apparent oxidative damage was associated with evident hepatic, renal, and testicular dysfunction, which was confirmed in histopathological lesions, and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities. PCM decreased serum total protein, albumin, and globulin contents; increased bilirubin, urea, and creatinine contents; and induced hematotoxicity. PCM also reduced the sperm cell count, sperm motility, and alive sperm rate and increased the sperm abnormality rate. Pretreatment of PCM-intoxicated animals with CUR or NAC substantially alleviated the increase in malondialdehyde and maintained the antioxidants at control levels. These pretreatments also minimized liver, kidney, and testicular histopathological changes and normalized their functions. CUR similarly mitigated the PCM hemato- and hepatotoxicity compared with NAC. However, it exhibited a pronounced nephroprotection, rather than reproductive protection as did NAC. Our findings demonstrate that a large single dose of PCM is not only associated with hepatotoxicity but also nephrotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Both CUR and NAC administration provided substantial organ protection with pronounced efficacy against PCM nephrotoxicity with CUR and reproductive toxicity with NAC, which was possibly mediated through their antioxidant activities, as well as their specific characteristics.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of chromium on hematological and biochemical parameters in Epaulet Grouper, Epinephelus stoliczkae of Chabahar Bay and Gulf of Oman by ecological and experimental tests. Spatial evaluation of ecological test results showed these parameters had significant difference among some sampling sites. Examination of hematological and biochemical profiles on Epaulet Grouper was performed after 0.5, 1, 7, 14, and 21 days of chromium exposure (3.6, 7.31 and 14.6 mg/L). Experimental test results of chromium induce indicated the significant decrease in MCV, MCH, neutrophils, basophils, plasma protein and significant increase in MCHC, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and a biphasic trend in Hb, Ht, RBC, WBC, and glucose (p < 0.05). Cellular and nuclear axis, cytoplasmic volume, cell and nuclear volume, and surface area were significantly different for ecological and experimental results (p < 0.05). It was concluded that these parameters are sensitive in monitoring the toxicity of chromium concentrations.

Fipronil (FPN), a phenylpyrazole insecticide, has been receiving increased attention owing to its toxicity, which is largely mediated through its effects on antioxidant systems. The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of resveratrol (RSV) and curcumin (CUR) on oxidative damage induced by FPN. Forty mature male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 8 per group): the first group was the control; the second was administered FPN (10 mg/kg); and the third, fourth, and fifth were co-treated with RSV (10 mg/kg), CUR (200 mg/kg), and their combination, respectively, 2 h prior to FPN administration. All animals were dosed via oral gavage for 4 weeks. FPN significantly (p < 0.05) elevated the sera of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatinine, and cholesterol levels, whereas serum total protein, albumin, and triglyceride levels were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, compared to those of the control group. Reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) were decreased (p < 0.05) in the FPN-treated group compared to those in the control group; however, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were markedly increased (p < 0.05) in the hepatic, renal, and brain tissues. Co-treatment with RSV or CUR alleviated (p ˂ 0.05) the increased lipid peroxidation and changes in enzymatic/nonenzymatic antioxidants induced by FPN; all these variables mostly returned to normal levels with the combined of RSV and CUR treatment. In conclusion, RSV and/or CUR relieved and synergistically reversed the FPN-induced tissue oxidative injury, probably by improving the antioxidant defenses via their free radical scavenging and antioxidant characteristics.

Thiamethoxam (TMX) is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide for its effective potential for controlling insects from the agricultural field, which might induce toxicity to the aquatic biota. In this study, the role of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis (BS) and a phytogenic oil extract of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TVEO) in the modulation of thiamethoxam (TMX)-induced hepatorenal damage, oxidative stress, and immunotoxicity in African catfish (Clarias garipenus) has been evaluated. Fish were subjected to TMX (5 mg L⁻¹) and fed with a diet either supplemented with BS (1000 ppm) or TVEO (500 ppm). The experiment lasted for 1 month. By the end of the experiment, blood was sampled for biochemical analysis and fish organs and tissues were collected for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Results showed a substantial increase of serum markers of hepatorenal damage such as the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine with an obvious decrease of serum protein levels in the TMX-intoxicated group. Also, there was a considerable increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity. TMX remarkably suppressed serum lysozyme activity, respiratory burst activity, and phagocytosis with a conspicuous elevation of the levels of interleukins (interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 IL-6). The histopathological findings showed that TMX induced degenerative changes and necrosis in the gills, liver, head kidneys, and spleen of the intoxicated fish. Significant alterations of frequency, size, and area percentage of melanomacrophage centers (MMCs), decreased splenocyte proliferation, and increased number of caspase-3 immunopositive cells were also observed. Contrariwise, the concurrent supplementation of either BS or TVEO in the diets of catfish partially mitigated both the histopathological and histomorphometric lesions of the examined tissues. Correspondingly, they improved the counts of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 immunopositive splenocytes. In conclusion, the co-administration of either BS or TVEO in catfish diets partially diminished the toxic impacts of TMX. Nonetheless, the inclusion of TVEO in the diets of catfish elicited better protection than BS against TMX-induced toxicity in response to its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and immune-stimulant effects.

Nanotechnology is a novel arena with promising applications in the field of medicine, industry, and agriculture including fisheries. Cross-disciplinary interactions and the application of this technology in biological systems have led to the innovation of novel nanoparticle antioxidants, which are the subject of our study. In context with above background, we designed an experiment on nano-silver to elucidate its role for mitigation of abiotic and biotic stress. Three diets were formulated viz. silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) incorporated at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg diet and control diet (Ag-NPs at 0 mg/kg). Fish were exposed to sublethal level of 1/25th of LC₅₀ (4 ppm) of lead (Pb) and temperature at 34 °C. The effect of Ag-NPs on productive performance (weight gain %, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and specific growth rate), stress biomarkers (catalase, super oxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, acetylcholine esterase, cortisol, heat shock protein), biochemical and immunological response (protein and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, phagocytic activity, serum total protein and albumin: globulin ratio), histopathology alterations in the liver and gill as well as survival of Channa striatus, following challenge with pathogenic bacteria were evaluated. Dietary Ag-NPs at 0.5-mg supplementation improved growth performance, immunity, survival, and reduced stress biomarker such as HSP 70, cortisol, and blood glucose in various fish tissues. Exposure to Pb and high temperature and group fed with Ag-NPs (1 mg/kg diet) demonstrated remarkable changes in the histo-architect of liver such as pyknotic nuclei, pyknosis, leucocyte infiltration, hemorrhage and karyokinesis, blood vessels with nucleated, lipid vacuoles in the liver tissue. Histology of gill displayed hyperplasia, aneurism, blood congestion, severe telengiectiasis, epithelial lifting, curling of secondary lamella, hyperplasia of epithelial cell of secondary lamella in the group exposed to lead and high temperature and supplemented with Ag-NPs at 1 mg/kg diet. In addition to histopathology, feeding with Ag-NPs at 1 mg/kg diet deteriorated and altered all studied parameters including reduced growth performance. Results obtained in the present study suggest that supplementation of Ag-NPs at 0.5 mg/kg diet has a definitive role to play in the mitigation of abiotic and biotic stress in C. striatus.