Protective Effects of Combined Utilization of Quercetin and Florfenicol on Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome Infected Litopenaeus vannamei

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the immunity, survival rate, and disease resistance of Litopenaeus vannamei treated using quercetin and florfenicol alone or in combination, after infection with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VPAHPND). After infection with VPAHPND, different types of feed were given to the shrimp for 5 days, including a control diet (drug-free), florfenicol only diet (15 mg/kg), quercetin only diet (400 mg/kg), a low-dose florfenicol/quercetin combined diet (200 mg/kg quercetin + 7.0 mg/kg florfenicol), a moderate-dose florfenicol/quercetin combined diet (400 mg/kg quercetin + 15 mg/kg florfenicol), and a high-dose florfenicol/quercetin combined diet (800 mg/kg quercetin + 30 mg/kg florfenicol). The cumulative mortality of shrimp was significantly reduced in the drug combination groups compared with either drug used alone (p < 0.05). The density of Vibrio was significantly lower and the immune parameters were significantly increased in the drug combination groups compared with either drug used alone (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the drug combination groups, the hepatopancreas tubules showed better integrity and structure compared with those when either drug was used alone. Therefore, compared with single drug treatment, the florfenicol and quercetin combination enhanced disease resistance, survival, and immune activity of VPAHPND-infected shrimp. When the combination treatment is used, the dosage of florfenicol can be reduced and a better therapeutic effect is obtained.

Unlocking the Potential: Quercetin and Its Natural Derivatives as Promising Therapeutics for Sepsis

“…These compounds reduce inflammation and promote healing, enhance the antibacterial effect of antibiotics, and reduce the nuisance of drugs on intestinal flora. Additionally, they are synergetic with anti-cancer drugs to enhance chemosensitivity [107][108][109][110][111]. However, the application of quercetin as an anti-septic agent has been largely hindered by its low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and rapid clearance, metabolism, and enzymatic degradation [27,30].…”

Transcriptome and metabolome for identifying key metabolites impacting the Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Litopenaeus vannamei

“…Notably, feeding 0.1 g and 2 g of quercetin per 100 g of shrimp feed did not significantly improve the immune capacity of shrimp against VP, indicating that there is an optimal dosage range for the utilization of quercetin. Previous studies have shown that the combination of quercetin and florfenicol can enhance disease resistance, survival, and immune activity in VP AHPND -infected shrimp (Zhai et al, 2022), notably, the most significant enhancement in immune factor activity for Cyprinus carpio occurred when 100 mg of quercetin was added per 1 kg of feed (Sun et al, 2023b). Shi et al reported that quercetin could enhance immunity by regulating the gene expression of the NF-kB signaling pathway and AMPs in Bombyx mori (Shi et al, 2021).…”