The bioactive compounds present in various plant extracts offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to the control of bacterial infections in farmed fish, thus contributing to the promotion of animal health, food safety and environmental sustainability in aquaculture. In the present study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Ficus lyrata Warb. and its F. lyrata cv. Bambino against Aeromonas sobria, Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, Serratia liquefaciens, Yersinia ruckeri, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens, to evaluate their possible use of these plants in the prevention of infections caused by these fish pathogens in aquaculture. The isolates used in our studies were Aeromonas sobria (K825), Aeromonas hydrophila (K886) and Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida (St30), Serratia liquefaciens (Pt521), Yersinia ruckeri (UP 2), Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pt 433), Shewanella putrefaciens (St15). These strains, derived from freshwater fish species such as common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum), were isolated at the Department of Fish Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute in Puławy (Poland). The antimicrobial susceptibility of the tested strains was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method (1966), according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (2006, 2014), with our slight modifications. The results of our study showed that a group of Aeromonas strains showed resistance to F. lyrata and F. lyrata cv. Bambino extracts compared to oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin activity. Serratia liquefaciens, Yersinia ruckeri and Pseudomonas fluorescens strains were also resistant to the ethanolic extracts from the leaves of F. lyrata and its cv. Bambino. On the other hand, the Shewanella putrefaciens strain was sensitive to the ethanolic extracts of the leaves of F. lyrata and its cv. Bambino. The percentage increase in zone inhibition diameter for the F. lyrata cv. Bambino leaf extract was 43.3% (p <0.05) compared to oxytetracycline activity. This finding suggests the presence of bioactive compounds in F. lyrata leaves with antimicrobial properties against selected bacterial strains. It highlights the potential of this botanical resource to combat bacterial infections in aquaculture. In conclusion, the antibacterial activity demonstrated by F. lyrata and F. lyrata cv. Bambino leaf extracts against fish bacterial strains highlights their potential as valuable resources for disease prevention and treatment in aquaculture. Continued research efforts to elucidate their mechanisms of action, optimise their formulation, and validate their efficacy in vivo will further enhance their utility and facilitate their integration into sustainable aquaculture production systems.

The current study aimed to investigate the oxidative stress biomarkers, such as 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins, and total antioxidant capacity, as well as antioxidant defenses (activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, ceruloplasmin) in the equine erythrocytes and plasma to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract derived from leaves of Ficus sagittata Vahl collected at two Botanic Gardens, i.e. M.M. Gryshko National Botanic Garden (Kyiv, Ukraine) and the Botanic Garden of Ivan Franko National University in Lviv (Lviv, Ukraine). Freshly collected leaves were washed, weighed, crushed, and homogenized in 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) (in the proportion of 1 : 19, w/w) at room temperature. The extracts were then filtered and used for analysis. A volume of 0.1 mL of the plant extracts was added to 1.9 mL of clean equine erythrocytes or plasma (the final concentration of the extract was 5 mg.mL-1). For positive control, 0.1 mL of phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was used. The treatment of equine plasma and erythrocytes by extracts derived from leaves of F. sagittata resulted in reduced carbonyl derivatives of the oxidatively modified protein. When equine erythrocytes were incubated with the extract derived from leaves of F. sagittata collected in NBG (Kyiv), the TBARS levels were significantly increased compared to the untreated samples. The incubation of equine plasma with an extract derived from leaves of F. sagittata resulted in an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase with a simultaneous decrease of ceruloplasmin level. The level of total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased after the treatment by extract derived from leaves of F. sagittata collected in NBG. However, further detailed investigation, especially in vivo and in vitro antioxidant studies is needed to justify the use of extract derived from leaves of F. sagittata as a natural source of antioxidants.

This study focuses on the photoperiod-induced variability in the levels of oxidatively modified proteins in the plasma of Shetland pony mares and stallions before and after exercise. We have analyzed the effect of photoperiods and exercise on the levels of aldehydic (AD) and ketonic (KD) derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP) in the blood of Shetland pony mares and stallions involved in recreational horseback riding in the central Pomeranian region (Pomeranian Voivodeship, northern part of Poland). Twenty-one healthy adult Shetland ponies (11 mares and 10 stallions) aged 6.5 ± 1.4 years old were used in this study. All horses participated in recreational horseback riding. Training started at 10:00 AM, lasted 1 hour, and consisted of a ride of cross country by walking (5 min), trotting (15 min), walking (10 min), trotting (10 min), walking (5 min), galloping (5 min), and walking (10 min). Blood was drawn from the jugular veins of the animals in the morning, 90 minutes after feeding, while the horses were in the stables (between 8:30 and 10 AM), and immediately after the exercise test (between 11 AM and 12 AM). Blood samples were taken once per season for one year: summer and winter. The level of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP) was evaluated by the content of protein carbonyl derivatives in the reaction with 2,4-dinitro-phenylhydrazine (DNFH). There was a statistically significant reduction in the levels of aldehydic derivatives of OMP in the plasma of ponies during the winter photoperiods only after exercise in both sexes. A decrease in the levels of ketonic derivatives of OMP in the summer photoperiod was observed. These changes were observed independently of the sex and only after exercise. Levels of aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of OMP varied depending on the photoperiod and exercise session in our studies. These changes were dependent on the baseline levels of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems in the ponies, which differed between the mares and the stallions (statistically significant differences in the winter period) both before and after exercise (winter). Keywords: oxidatively modified proteins, plasma, exercise, seasonal alterations, photoperiods, Shetland ponies, mares and stallions.

The range of healing targets for particular Ficus species compiled from local medicines can be competitive with that of broad-spectrum traditional remedies. In the current study, we studied the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extracts derived from the leaves of Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem. and its cultivars (F. elastica 'Rubra', 'Robusta', 'Burgundy', 'Variegata') against Aeromonas sobria to evaluate the possible use of this plant in preventing infections caused by this fish pathogen in aquaculture. The current study was conducted as a part of an ongoing project between five universities undertaken in the frame of a cooperation program aimed at the assessment of medicinal properties of tropical and subtropical plants, cultivated in vitro. The leaves of F. elastica and its cultivars, cultivated under glasshouse conditions, were sampled at M. M. Gryshko National Botanic Garden (NBG), National Academy of Science of Ukraine. Specifically, the leaves of F. elastica and its cultivars, i.e. F. elastica 'Rubra', 'Robusta', 'Burgundy', 'Variegata' were sampled for our study. Aeromonas sobria (K825) strain, originated from freshwater fish species such as common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum), respectively, was isolated in the Department of Fish Diseases, The National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy (Poland). Antimicrobial susceptibility of the tested Aeromonas sobria was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method (1966) according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) (2014), with our some modifications. Our results of the antimicrobial screening revealed, that F. elastica and its cultivars possessed mild antibacterial properties against the A. sobria strain. The ethanolic extract obtained from leaves of F. elastica 'Variegata' exhibited the maximum antimicrobial activity against A. sobria. Thus, F. elastica and its cultivars (F. elastica 'Rubra', 'Robusta', 'Burgundy', 'Variegata') disclosed mild bioactivity, and this plant can be regarded as a potential source of antibacterial agents. The results of the current study provide a new perspective for the use of various species belonging to the Ficus genus as medicinal plants to improve the antibacterial responses in salmonid aquaculture. Keywords: Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem., extract, antimicrobial efficacy, Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique, fish pathogens, susceptibility, resistance.

Dietary β-glucans may be a useful tool to prime the host immune system and increase resistance against invading pathogens as the β-glucans influence the immune response. This prompted us to investigate the effects of dietary yeast β-1,3/1,6-D-glucans supplemented for a 14-day feeding period on liver and cardiac function and the oxidative mechanisms underlying these effects. We assessed relevant lipid peroxidation in the hepatic and cardiac tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), and graylings (Thymallus thymallus) after a 14-day period of supplementation with β-glucans. Thirty healthy grayling weighing 34.9 ± 1.9 g, thirty healthy rainbow trout weighing 55.9 ± 2.1 g, and thirty healthy European whitefish weighing 43.3 ± 2.7 g were used in the experiments. The fish were fed with a commercial basal diet at a rate of 1.5% body weight four times a day. After acclimation, the fish were randomly divided into six groups. The groups were fed for 14 days as follows: the control groups comprising grayling (n = 15), rainbow trout (n = 15), and European whitefish (n = 15) received a control basal diet and the β-glucan groups were fed with the Yestimun® food product at a dose of 1% of the basal feed (with 85% of β-1.3/1.6-glucans, Leiber GmbH, Bramsche, Germany). The basal feed was supplemented with 1% of Yestimun® powder (dose: 1 kg per 99 kg, w/w). This insoluble and highly purified preparation contains natural polysaccharides, e.g. β-1,3/1,6-D-glucans derived from Spent Brewers’ Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Yeast cell walls typically contain approximately 30% of β-glucans of dry weight. Our results showed that feeding with low doses of β-glucans induced a decrease in TBARS levels in the hepatic and cardiac tissues of rainbow trout, andEuropean whitefish. Similarly, 14 days of feeding graylings with low doses of β-glucans resulted in a decrease in the TBARS levels both in the hepatic and cardiac tissues. This study confirms that dietary β-glucan is beneficial for promoting growth and enhancing antioxidant capacity against oxidative stress in rainbow trout, European whitefish, and graylings. Indeed, we cautiously hypothesized that feeding low β-glucans doses may help to boost antioxidant function, especially by the decrease of biomarkers of lipid peroxidation in the hepatic and cardiac tissues of these fish. Keywords: β-glucans, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, Thymallus thymallus, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Coregonus lavaretus

Aims: Low-intensity infrared laser irradiation with output emissions of the laser and LED for in vitro irradiation of plasma and erythrocyte samples collected from healthy individuals and diabetes mellitus (DM) patients was used in the current study.Methods: The generated emission was in the range 0.85-0.89 nm with pulse duration near 130 ns and repetition rates of pulses 50, 150, 600, and 1500 Hz, average power 0, 50, or 100 mW, in the range of 1-9 min for different 30 variants of irradiation. The levels of 2-thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), acid-induced resistance of erythrocytes, and activities of the main antioxidant enzymes were assessed in erythrocyte and plasma samples after irradiation.Results: The low-intensity infrared laser irradiation and low-intensity light emitted by a red LED decreased the lipid peroxidation levels in the erythrocytes of both healthy individuals and DM patients. A statistically significant decrease in TBARS and OMP levels and an increase in the TAC level were observed at the irradiation energy of 34.39 and 68.79 J/cm2 for samples collected from both healthy individuals and DM patients. The effects of the irradiation were accompanied by a statistically significant decrease in catalase activity of both healthy individuals and DM patients.Conclusions: In many variants of the laser irradiation and low-intensity light emitted by a red LED used in our study, a decrease in the percent of hemolyzed erythrocytes was observed, suggesting that laser therapy protocols should take into account fluencies, frequencies, and wavelengths of the laser before the beginning of treatment, especially in DM patients.

The aim of this review is to explore the current understanding of the mechanisms and course of alcohol intoxication, in particular by discussing the classification of various methods of determination of alcohol abuse markers and by reviewing the symptoms of the disease and associated diagnostic markers in clinical and laboratory examination. The chapter presents the current information about examinations performed to confirm alcohol abuse or exclude alternative causes. Treatment of patients and prognosis are presented as well. Biochemical indicators with the greatest value for objective laboratory diagnosis of alcohol dependence are reviewed.

The review summarizes current data on the effects of fluoride ions on humans and mammals as well as current literature data on the molecular biomarkers of the physiological and toxic effects of fluorine compounds on the organism. It has been evidenced that fluoride ions can have a positive effect on the skeletal system and tooth enamel, the molecular mechanism of which is the formation of more acid-resistant fluorine-apatites. However, their positive effect is possible only in micromolar doses. At the same time, even at these concentrations, the generation of free radicals and, as a consequence, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent apoptosis pathways increase in all other organs and systems. In addition to apoptotic changes in various organs and tissues, the processes of lipid peroxidation are intensified. The functioning of the nitric oxide cycle is shifted towards the activation of inducible forms of NO synthases, reducing the arginase pathway of L-arginine metabolism. Fluoride can cause the simultaneous development of several types of hypoxia. The analysis of numerous studies revealed that fluorine compounds are a cytotoxic factor involved in changes in metabolism, modulation of intracellular signaling pathways, and activation of programmed cell death. In this case, the mechanisms of the physiological or toxic effects of fluorine compounds on the organism depend on their concentration and duration of exposure. The development of some of the most threatening effects of fluorides is dose-dependent and requires millimolar concentrations. Given the data from the last decade, a question arises of the effectiveness of water fluoridation as a means of prevention of dental diseases. Therefore, analyses of the molecular mechanisms of fluoride exposure, despite the research conducted so far, are promising tools to elucidate the general mechanisms of fluoride-associated diseases.

Many species belonging to the Ficus genus (Moraceae) contain several active compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, sesquiterpenes, alkaloids, and saponins which possess biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammation, antiviral, antibacterial, and others.In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract derived from the leaves of Ficus lingua Warb.ex De Wild.& T.Durand against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains in order to evaluate the possible use of this plant in preventing infections caused by these bacteria both in veterinary and medicine.The leaves of Ficus lingua, cultivated under glasshouse conditions, were sampled at M.M. Gryshko National Botanic Garden (NBG), National Academy of Science of Ukraine.The testing of the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts was carried out in vitro by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique.In the current study, Gram-negative strains such as Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC ® 25922™), Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC ® 35218™), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC ® 27853™) and Gram-positive strains such as Staphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus Rosenbach (ATCC ® 29213™), Staphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus Rosenbach (ATCC ® 25923™), methicillin-resistant (MRSA), mecA positive Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC ® 12493), Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC ® 51299™) (resistant to vancomycin; sensitive to teicoplanin) and Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC ® 29212™) were used.Results of the current study revealed that both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains were sensitive to the F. lingua extract.Gram-positive strains such as S. aureus subsp.aureus Rosenbach (ATCC ® 29213™), S. aureus subsp.aureus Rosenbach (ATCC ® 25923™), E. faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC ® 51299™) and E. faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC ® 29212™) were sensitive to the F. lingua extract.The highest diameters of inhibition zones after the application of the F. lingua extract were observed for S. aureus subsp.aureus strains.This study demonstrates the antibacterial potential of ethanolic extract derived from the leaves of F. lingua and for use in the treatment of bacterial infection.The bioactive compounds of F. lingua extract, as well as its main biological activities, make it a promising candidate for communicable disease management.

The objective of the current study was to determine the photoperiod-induced variations and the impact of exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic (AD) and ketonic (KD) derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and biomarkers of metabolic alterations [glucose, urea, and uric acid and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] in the blood of Shetland pony mares and stallions involved in recreational horseback riding. Twenty-one healthy adult Shetland ponies (11 mares and 10 stallions) aged 6.5 +/- 1.4 years old from the central Pomeranian region in Poland were used in this study. Blood samples were taken once per season for one year: spring (3 April), summer (5 July), autumn (1 October) and winter (25 January). A MANOVA analysis revealed that the photoperiod factor had a leading role in alterations of these biomarkers, while the exercise and sex of the ponies exerted a lower impact. The lipid peroxidation biomarkers, for example, the plasma TBARS level, indicated the maximum adjusted coefficient of determination R-ad(2) = 0.77. Before exercise (at rest), the plasma of the stallions and mares exhibited minimum values of TBARS levels in the spring and summer photoperiods and maximum levels in autumn and winter. A statistically significant reduction in the levels of both aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of OMP in the blood of ponies was observed during the autumn and winter periods; additionally, the level of ketonic derivatives of OMP declined after exercise in spring. TAC was statistically significant in the spring and winter photoperiods both before and after exercise. SOD activity did not have a pronounced photoperiod-induced pattern but was dependent on the sex and exercise. CAT activity varied and was statistically significant only in the plasma of the mares after exercise in the spring, summer, and winter photoperiods. The minimum GPx activity in the blood of the mares before exercise (at rest) was observed in autumn, while the maximum was noted in winter and summer. Photoperiod- and exercise-induced alterations in markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences may contribute to the adaptation of animals to exercise, depending on sex. The seasonal variations in the antioxidant defences demonstrated in our study, as well as substrates of energy metabolism in the blood of mares and stallions, depending on exercise capacity, could be an important aspect in the ability of endogenous adaptive mechanisms of animals to react in advance to environmental changes associated with seasons.

The intensification of oxidative stress and destabilization of the antioxidative defenses of an organism is a consequence of many environmental factors. We considered aspects conditioning male reproductive potential and the functionality of enzymatic antioxidative mechanisms, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), and their correlations with Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb, and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as genetic polymorphism IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) in men with infertility (n = 76). A healthy normozoospermic control (n = 87) was also used. We assessed the impact of negative changes driven by oxidative stress on enzymatic antioxidative mechanisms as well as the role of MDA in the overall process. On this basis, we infer connections between disturbances in enzymatic antioxidative defense and reproductive potential. Based on a molecular analysis of the polymorphism of gene IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) (chromosome 5) (PCR-RFLP), we considered the relationships among particular genotypes with the possibility of occurrence of male infertility. Concentrations of chemical elements were measured in the blood. The activity of antioxidants and MDA levels were measured in serum. In the infertile group, higher GPx activity was noted (6.56 nmoL·min−1·mL−1, control: 4.31 nmoL·min−1·mL−1; p = 0.004), while GR achieved a greater level in the control (17.74 nmoL·min−1·mL−1, infertile: 15.97 nmoL·min−1·mL−1, p = 0.043), which implies diversified efficiency of the first and second lines of defense. The polymorphism of IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) was not directly connected with infertility because there were not any differences in the frequency of genotypes between the infertile and control group (p = 0.578). An analysis of genotypes CC and TT (polymorphism IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250)) indicated numerous correlations between antioxidants, chemical elements and MDA. Therefore, chemical economy, antioxidative defense and genetic conditions are connected and jointly shape male reproductive potential. Chemical elements influence antioxidative defense and male fertility; the most important modulators appeared to be Na, Ba, Al and B. The polymorphism of gene IL-4v.C589T (rs2243250) has a limited influence on antioxidative defense and the metabolism of chemical elements.

Essential oil and leaf extracts of Melaleuca leucadendra L. demonstrated a series of biological activities of interest, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumoral and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the current study was an in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the cajeput essential oil against Gram-negative strains such as Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC® 25922™), Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC® 35218™), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC® 27853™) and Gram-positive strains such as Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach (ATCC® 29213™), Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach (ATCC® 25923™), methicillin-resistant (MRSA), mecA positive Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC® 12493), Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC® 51299™) (resistant to vancomycin; sensitive to teicoplanin) and Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz (ATCC® 29212™) to assess the possible use of this oil in preventing infections caused by these pathogens. The cajeput essential oil was provided by Polish essential oil manufacturers (Bamer®, Włocławek, Poland). Antimicrobial susceptibility of the tested strains was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Our research has shown that cajeput essential oil exhibits antibacterial properties. Gram-positive bacteria were the most susceptible to commercial cajeput oil, which may indicate that the active biological substances in cajeput essential oil (including phenolic acids, tannins, etc.) may be potential agents against bacterial infections. Among Gram-negative bacteria, only Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula (ATCC® 27853™) strain was resistant to the cajeput essential oil. We did not observe statistically significant changes in the zone of growth inhibition after the application of cajeput essential oil compared to the control samples (96% ethanol). Our study may suggest that the use of cajeput essential oil may be helpful for a wide range of bacterial infections in veterinary, aquaculture, medicine, and beyond.

The current study aimed to identify correlative and regressive dependencies between the water iodine concentration and the levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAbs), and thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) in the serum of 168 in patients (34 men and 134 women) with a hypothyroid form of Hashimoto's thyroiditis who use water from the supply network and individual wells. Based on the water iodine concentration, low and moderate degrees of iodine endemia in the location of the patients were determined. In the groups of men and women using water from different water supply sources, there were direct correlations between the water iodine concentrations and the TgAbs and TPOAb titers as well as an inverse dependence between iodine and TSH levels. Multivariate regressive analysis indicated that TgAb and TSH in the group of women using water from a supply network and TPOAb titers in the group of women using well water were independent factors associated with water iodine concentrations. Statistically significant correlations and regressive dependencies between the water iodine concentrations and the biomarkers of the thyroid status of the patients indicate the risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis progression, especially among women with additional iodine intake.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral vaccination against Yersinia ruckeri based on oxidative stress biomarkers in the gills of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). The vaccine consisted of three Y. ruckeri strains (O1 serotype) that originated from rainbow trout cultured on different farms, where fish exhibited clinical signs of enteric redmouth disease. The concentrated vaccine was incorporated into the fish food; treatment was delivered three times at one-day intervals. Two months after immunization, gills were sampled. The vaccination against Y. ruckeri resulted in non-significant changes in TBARS level as lipid peroxidation marker, aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins level in the gills of trout at the second month after immunization against Y. ruckeri. A significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity (by 36%, p = 0.002) compared to untreated controls occurred. The alterations in markers of oxidative stress suggest that antioxidant defenses may contribute to the balance between oxidative modification of proteins and antioxidant defenses in the gills of trout vaccinated against Y. ruckeri. We did not find any alterations in the gills after 60 days of immunization. This is likely a result of long-term adaptation to immunization. Understanding the role of oxidative stress in the tissues of vaccinated trout has important implications for the understanding of the complex physiological changes that occur in immunization and also for improving aquaculture practices to maximize tissue growth and health of vaccinated trout. The oxidative stress biomarkers in the gills were sensitive to vaccination against Y. ruckeri and may potentially be used as biomarkers in evaluating vaccine toxicity in rainbow trout. From a practical point of view, the results may be useful in relation to studies of infections and the development, administration, and uptake of new vaccines applicable to large amounts of fish.

Imbalanced glucose tolerance and insulin resistance remain important as high cancer risk factors. Metformin administration to diabetic patients may be associated with a reduced risk of malignancy. The combined effects of the hormone melatonin and metformin in oncology practice have shown positive results. The relevance of our study is to find out the role of specific biomarkers of lysosome destruction and oxidative stress data in carcinogenesis models. The present study was designed to investigate the comparative synergic effect of peroral antidiabetic metformin (MF) and pineal hormone melatonin (MEL) administered alone and in combination in two different rat’s models of mammary tumour proliferation in vivo ( N -methyl- N -nitrosourea, NMU or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, DMBA). We have studied the processes of lysosomal destruction (alanyl aminopeptidase AAP, leucyl aminopeptidase LAP, acid phosphatase AcP, β- N -acetylglucosaminidase NAG, β-galactosidase β-GD and β-glucuronidase β-GR) caused by evaluated oxidative stress in three types of tissues (liver, heart, and spleen) in female Sprague–Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet (10% of total fat: 2.5% from lard and 7.5% from palm olein). Our results revealed an increase in the activity of the studied lysosomal enzymes and their expression in a tissue-specific manner depending on the type of chemical agent (NMU or DMBA). MANOVA tests in our study confirmed the influence of the three main factors, type of tissue, chemical impact, and chemopreventive agents, and the combinations of these factors on the lysosomal activity induced during the process of cancerogenesis. The development and induction of the carcinogenesis process in the different rat models with the high-fat diet impact were also accompanied by initiation of free-radical oxidation processes, which we studied at the initial (estimated by the level of diene conjugates) and final (TBARS products) stages of this process. The combined effects of MEL and MF for the two models of carcinogenesis at high-fat diet impact for AAP, LAP, and AcP showed a significant synergistic effect when they impact together when compared with the effects of one substance alone (either MEL or MF) in the breast cancer model experiments. Synergistic effects of limiting destructive processes of lysosomal functioning β-GD enzyme activity we obtained in experiments with MEL and MF chemoprevention for both models of carcinogenesis for three tissues. The statistical SS test allowed us to draw the following conclusions on the role of each lysosomal parameter analyzed as an integral model: NAG > AcP > β-GD > β-GR > AAP > LAP.

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary yeast β-1,3/1,6-D-glucans supplemented over a 14-day feeding period on liver and cardiac function and the oxidative mechanism underlying these effects. We assessed relevant lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation biomarkers, antioxidant defense indices [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC)], and biochemical alterations [activities of aminotransferases (AT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and levels of lactate (L) and pyruvate (P)] in rainbow trout, European whitefish, and grayling. The fish received a control diet and an experimental diet containing yeast β-1,3/1,6-D-glucans at a dose of 1% in the basal feed for 14 days. The results demonstrated enhancement in the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index in the groups fed β-glucans, compared to the control groups. In the groups fed β-glucans, the oxidative stress parameters such as lipid peroxidation, oxidatively modified proteins, and TAC did not vary significantly. The dietary β-glucans stimulated CAT and GPx activities in hepatic and cardiac tissues in comparison to the control group; however, a reverse trend was observed in the GR activity in these tissues.

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the in vitro antibacterial activity of leaf extracts obtained from various Ficus species against four bacterial strains of fish pathogens (Serratia liquefaciens, Yersinia ruckeri, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens). In vitro tests for antibacterial activity assessment revealed that various Ficus species have notable antibacterial efficacy. The six most effective Ficus plants against S. liquefaciens that caused a zone of inhibition of at least 15 mm were F. lingua, F. erecta, F. rubiginosa, F. tinctoria, F. sur, and F. aspera. The maximum antimicrobial activity against the Y. ruckeri strain was observed for ethanolic extracts of F. hederacea, F. formosana, and F. hispida. Our results also demonstrated that the Pseudomonas fluorescens strain exhibited high susceptibility to ethanolic extracts derived from 20 plants (the mean value of inhibition zone diameters (IZD) was more than 15 mm). F. erecta, F. sur, and F. virens extracts were more effective against P. fluorescens. The Shewanella putrefaciens strain revealed a high level of susceptibility to ethanolic extracts derived from the leaves of 32 species (the highest value of the IZDs was observed for F. erecta). The data presented in the current study indicated that ethanolic extracts derived from leaves of various Ficus species are a promising alternative to the use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics in controlling infections caused by the Serratia liquefaciens, Yersinia ruckeri, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Shewanella putrefaciens strains.

Consistent with our previous studies, we continue to evaluate the antioxidant potential of representatives of the Papaveraceae family collected from the northern part of Poland on the model of muscle tissue of rainbow trout. Therefore, in the current study, oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of extracts derived from stalks and roots of great celandine (Chelidonium majus L., CM) at a final dose of 5 mg/mL, 2,5 mg/mL, 1,25 mg/mL and 0,63 mg/mL. Homogenate of muscle tissues derived from rainbow trout was used in this in vitro study. Phosphate buffer was used as a positive control (blank). After incubation of the mixture at 25°C for 120 min with continuous mixing, samples were used for biochemical studies. Our studies have shown that the use of extracts at a final dose of 5 mg/ml and 2.5 mg/ml resulted in a statistically significant increase of lipid peroxidation biomarkers (TBARS levels) in the muscle tissue of rainbow trout. The final dose of extract 1.25 mg/ml caused a statistically significant increase in the levels of aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of OMP, and this is reflected when measuring the levels of TAC. On the other hand, the use of extracts at a final dose of 0.63 mg/ml derived from both roots and stems of CM resulted in statistically significant reduced levels of TBARS, as well as aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of OMP in the muscle tissue of rainbow trout after in vitro incubation. The comparison of these results showed that CM extracts can effectively inhibit the production of oxidatively modified carbonyls by scavenging free radicals. The secondary metabolites of CM, i.e. polyphenols, are most likely responsible for this effect. Screening of species of the family Papaveraceae for other biological activities, including antioxidant activity, is essential and may be effective in the search for preventive measures in the pathogenesis of some diseases, as well as in the prevention and treatment of some disorders in veterinary and medicine. Keywords: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum), muscle tissue, oxidative stress, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC).