Transcriptomic profile change, immunological response and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus fed with conventional and Nano-Zinc oxide dietary supplements

Abstract

The present investigation was performed to evaluate the efficiency of Zinc oxide (ZnO) as a fish feed additive in immunomodulation of Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were fed on ZnO nano-particles (nZnO) and conventional (ZnO) in two concentrations (30 and 60 mg/kg diet), in addition to the control fish which was fed on Zn free diet. After 6° days, the highest survival rate was recorded in the nZnO₃₀ -supplemented group. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and antioxidant enzymes were improved in different dietary Zn supplementation, obviously in the nZnO₃₀ -supplemented group, while the lowest antioxidant status was noticed nZnO₆₀ supplemented fish. The lipid peroxides (MDA) level was diminished upon Zn supplementation, particularly in nZnO₃₀-supplemented group but showed a significant elevation in the nZnO₆₀-supplemented group. Furthermore, the immune parameters examined, lysozyme activity, bactericidal activity, and IgM were significantly higher in ZnO₆₀, and nZnO₃₀ supplemented groups. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level showed no significant increase in response to Zn supplementation in the both forms at level of 30 mg/kg diet, but showed marked elevation in nZnO₆₀- supplemented group. The mRNA expression profile of both interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 1, beta (IL-1β) encoding genes showed an up-regulation that was found in all Zn- supplemented groups, but more pronounced in nZnO₆₀-supplemented group. On the other hand, the expression pattern of myxovirus resistance (Mx)-encoding gene showed no remarkable difference between the Zn- supplemented and control fish. The expression level of CXC-chemokine, toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7), immunoglobulin M heavy chain (IgM heavy chain) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) gene was upregulated in Zn-supplemented groups particularly in the nZnO₃₀- supplemented group. While, the lowest expression was found in nZnO₆₀- and ZnO₃₀-supplemented groups. Here, Zn supplementation promoted the immune and antioxidant strength in fish mainly in nano form at the level of 30 mg/kg diet but not at 60 mg/kg diet that disrupt the immune and antioxidant status and promote inflammatory response.

Keywords: Cytokines; Gene expression; Immunity; Oreochromis niloticus; Zinc oxide nanoparticles.