Effects of sodium butyrate nanoparticles on the hemato-immunological indices, hepatic antioxidant capacity, and gene expression responses in Oreochromis niloticus

Recently, nanotechnology has been greatly developed to provide the aquaculture industry with new beneficial nanomaterials to improve the health and welfare of aquatic animals. Herein, an eight-week experiment was designed to examine the dietary impacts of sodium butyrate nanoparticles (SB-NPs) on the hematological profile, blood proteins, immunological indices, antioxidant capacity, and expression analysis of cytokines and antioxidant-related genes in Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were randomly assigned into 5 experimental groups (3 replicates per group) and were fed diets supplemented with 5 levels of SB-NPs as 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg kg-1. The results revealed that supplementing diets with SB-NPs (1.0-2.0 mg kg-1) significantly elevated erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, hemoglobin concentrations, hematocrit values, total albumin, globulin, serum lysozyme activities, and total immunoglobulin M values compared with the control group. Notably, the highest levels of the parameters mentioned above were noticed in the group fed diet supplemented with 1.5 mg kg- 1 SBNPs. Moreover, dietary SB-NPs modulated the fish's antioxidant defense mechanisms, whereas there was a significant increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities along with a significant decline in hepatic malondialdehyde concentrations in fish groups fed diets supplemented with SB-NPs (1.0-2.0 mg kg- 1). A significant upregulation of antioxidant enzyme genes (gpx and sod), antiinflammatory cytokine (il-10), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (il-1 beta and il-8) were noticed in liver tissues of SB-NPs groups (0.5-1.5 mg kg- 1). The highest mRNA expression folds of the above genes were recorded in the fish group fed diet supplemented with 1.5 mg kg- 1 SB-NPs. In this context, we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with SB-NPs can boost the antioxidant status and immunity of O. niloticus. However, further research studies are still recommended.

Automated summary

The dietary supplementation of SB-NPs significantly enhanced the hematological profile, immunological indices, and antioxidant capacity of Oreochromis niloticus. The study suggests that SB-NPs have the potential to improve the health and immunity of aquatic animals, with further research recommended to explore its full benefits.