Effect of Quercetin Nanoparticles on Hepatic and Intestinal Enzymes and Stress-Related Genes in Nile Tilapia Fish Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Recently, nanotechnology has become an important research field involved in the improvement of animals’ productivity, including aquaculture. In this field, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained interest as antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents. On the other hand, their extensive use in other fields increased natural water pollution causing hazardous effects on aquatic organisms. Quercetin is a natural polyphenolic compound of many plants and vegetables, and it acts as a potent antioxidant and therapeutic agent in biological systems. The current study investigated the potential mitigative effect of quercetin nanoparticles (QNPs) against AgNPs-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia via investigating liver function markers, hepatic antioxidant status, apoptosis, and bioaccumulation of silver residues in hepatic tissue in addition to the whole-body chemical composition, hormonal assay, intestinal enzymes activity, and gut microbiota. Fish were grouped into: control fish, fish exposed to 1.98 mg L−1 AgNPs, fish that received 400 mg L−1 QNPs, and fish that received QNPs and AgNPs at the same concentrations. All groups were exposed for 60 days. The moisture and ash contents of the AgNP group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. In contrast, the crude lipid and protein decreased in the whole body. AgNPs significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and decreased glycogen and growth hormone (*** p < 0.001). The liver and intestinal enzymes’ activities were significantly inhibited (*** p < 0.001), while the oxidative damage liver enzymes, intestinal bacterial and Aeromonas counts, and Ag residues in the liver were significantly increased (*** p < 0.001, and * p < 0.05). AgNPs also significantly upregulated the expression of hepatic Hsp70, caspase3, and p53 genes (* p < 0.05). These findings indicate the oxidative and hepatotoxic effects of AgNPs. QNPs enhanced and restored physiological parameters and health status under normal conditions and after exposure to AgNPs.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) Induce Cytotoxicity in the Zebrafish Olfactory Organs via Activating Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis at the Ultrastructure and Genetic Levels

“…To detect the underlying mechanisms of ZnO-NPs cytotoxicity effect on the zebrafish olfactory organs, the mRNA expression of antioxidant, DNA damage, and apoptosis-related genes was evaluated by qRT-PCR [ 44 ] to support our TEM observations between the control and ZnO-NPs treated groups. It has been observed that ZnO-NPs alter mitochondrial structure and function, resulting in the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that weaken the antioxidant enzyme activity, altogether placing the olfactory cells at oxidative stress risk [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Accordingly, the mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes, including sod1 , sod2 , gpx1a , gstp1.2 , and cat , was down-regulated in the treated olfactory rosette compared with the control one ( Figure 6 A).…”

Rutin Nanoparticles Alleviate Cadmium-Induced Oxidative and Immune Damage in Broilers’ Bursa of Fabricius via Modulating Hsp70/TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

“…Interestingly [125], revealed that Cd could induce adrenal damage through activation of TLR4/ NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses which play an essential role in Cd-induced toxic lesions. Moreover [126], elucidated that Cd triggered oxidative damage in the hepatic tissue through a substantial elevation of NF-κB and HSP70 expression levels.…”

Noise and silver nanoparticles induce hepatotoxicity via CYP450/NF-Kappa B 2 and p53 signaling pathways in a rat model

“…Silver-NPs toxicity has been shown to up-regulate the expression of hepatic Hsp70, caspase3, and p53 genes in the liver tissue of Nile Tilapia Fish (Farag et al, 2023). Additionally, Silver-NPs have been found to induce an apoptotic response, oxidative stress, and p53 expression in the liver tissue of adult zebrafish (Choi et al, 2010).…”