The Role of Chlorella vulgaris in Ameliorating of Neurobehavioral Impairments Induced by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Subacute Toxicity in Oreochromis niloticus.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt

2 1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.

3 2Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, P.O. Box 44511, Zagazig, Egypt.

4 3Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 4511, Egypt

Abstract

Metal-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) including copper oxide CuO-NPs, released uncontrollably into the environment, particularly threatening living things in the aquatic environment. Chlorella vulgaris (ChV) demonstrated a protective effect against hazardous substances by considerably minimizing oxidative burden caused by these compounds. This study will planned to investigate the effect of CuO-NPs sub-acute exposure on neurobehavioral impairments in Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus), and assess the ameliorative role of ChV against the induced neurotoxicity. A total of144 O. niloticus were equally divided into four groups as follows: control (C), ChV (30gm/kg diet), CuO-NPs (1/10 LC50, 5.72 µg L−1), and CuO-NPs/ ChV groups. Our data proved that the exposure of CuO-NPs induced a significant increase of hyperpigmentations, ulcerations, tail corrosions and hemorrhages. A significant increase of surfacing, hiding, loss of equilibrium, laterality and motionless behaviors was recorded in exposed fish. On the other hand, exposure of CuO-NPs significantly decreased the number of crossings, feeding behaviors, escape and knocking reflexes. The exposed fish revealed a significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OH2dG) levels significantly increased in brain tissue, in addition to decline in AchE activity in serum. The RT- PCR analysis demonstrated an up-regulation of NF-𝜅β and Caspase-3 mRNA expression levels, while Bcl-2 mRNA expression level down-regulated in brain tissue. Moreover, histopathological alterations were observed in the brain tissue. Importantly, ChV significantly shielded from CuO-NPs-induced neurobehavioral impairments in fish co-supplemented with ChV. Our data demonsterated the neuroprotective effects of ChV in CuO-NPs exposed fish, promoting ChV's usage as a potential anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective agent.

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