The partial substitution of digestible protein with gelatinized starch as an energy source reduces susceptibility to lipid oxidation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) muscle

Hepatic Glucose Metabolism and Its Disorders in Fish

Carbohydrate, which is the most abundant nutrient in plant-sourced feedstuffs, is an economically indispensable component in commercial compound feeds for fish. This nutrient can enhance the physical quality of diets and allow for pellet expansion during extrusion. There is compelling evidence that an excess dietary intake of starch causes hepatic disorders, thereby further reducing the overall food consumption and growth performance of fish species. Among the severe metabolic disturbances are glycogenic hepatopathy (hepatomegaly caused by the excessive accumulation of glycogen in hepatocytes) and hepatic steatosis (the accumulation of large vacuoles of triacylglycerols in hepatocytes). The development of those disorders is mainly due to the limited ability of fish to oxidize glucose and control blood glucose concentration. The prolonged elevations of blood glucose increase glucose intake by the liver, and excess glucose is stored either as glycogen through glycogenesis in hepatocytes or as triglycerides via lipogenesis in tissues, depending on the species. In some fish species (e.g., largemouth bass), the liver has a low ability to regulate glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogen breakdown in response to high starch intake. For most species of fish, the liver size increases with lipid or glycogen accumulation when they have a high starch intake. It is a challenge to develop the same set of diagnostic criteria for all fish species as their physiology or metabolic patterns differ. Although glycogenic hepatopathy appears to be a common disease in carnivorous fish, it has been under-recognized in many studies. As a result, understanding these diseases and their pathogeneses in different fish species is crucial for manufacturing cost-effective pellet diets to promote the health, growth, survival, and feed efficiency of fish in future.

Effects of graded levels of starch on the non-specific immune responses, antioxidant capacities and intestinal health in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir inensis

A 9-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of graded levels of dietary starch (12%, 17%, 22%, 27% and 32%) on growth, non-specific immune responses, antioxidant capacities, immunity genes expression levels and pathogen resistance in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir inensis (initial body weight: 10.5 ± 0.5 g). Results showed that the highest weight gain rate of crabs was obtained in group containing 22% dietary starch. The highest activity of acid phosphatase, phenoloxidase and lysozyme in blood was found in crabs fed with 22-27% dietary starch. Additionally, 17%-27% dietary starch significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, reduced malondinaldehyde content and then increased the total antioxidant capacities in hepatopancreas of crabs. The highest activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase was found in crabs fed with 32% dietary starch, indicating that excess starch had a negative effect on the liver function of crabs. With the dietary starch level increased, the transcription factors gene expression of the pro-inflammatory factors were significantly up-regulated, and the highest ILF2, IL-16, Relish and ADAM10 was found in crabs fed with dietary 32% starch, which may potentially promote the inflammatory response in intestines. Moreover, with the dietary starch increased, the activity of phenoloxidase and lysozyme, as well as the gene expression of crustin, were all increased in crabs after challenge against Citrobacter freundii, which demonstrated that additional dietary starch could provide immune-protection and help crabs improve their resistance against pathogens. In conclusion, these results suggest that adequate dietary starch can increase growth, enhance innate immune responses and promote disease resistance, reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in E. inensis. Taken together, 22-27% dietary starch (25.9-30.8% dietary carbohydrate) was suggested as a digestible energy source in crabs feed.

Impact of dietary starch on extrahepatic tissue lipid metabolism in farmed European (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

In aquaculture, there is high interest in substituting marine-derived with vegetable-based ingredients as energy source. Farmed carnivorous fish under high carbohydrate diets tend to increase adiposity but it remains unclear if this happens by increased lipid retention/accumulation, promotion of lipogenic pathways, or both. In order to determine the response of extrahepatic tissue to dietary starch, European (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Asian (Lates calcarifer) seabass were fed a control (low starch; LS) or experimental (high starch; HS) diet, for at least 21 days and then transferred for 6 days to saltwater enriched with deuterated water ²H₂O. Incorporation of ²H-labelling follows well-defined metabolic steps, and analysis of triacylglycerols (TAG) ²H-enrichment by ²HNMR allowed evaluation of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in muscle and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Fractional synthetic rates for TAG-bound fatty acids and glycerol were quantified separately providing a detailed lipogenic profile. The FA profile differed substantially between muscle and VAT in both species, but their lipogenic fluxes revealed even greater differences. In European seabass, HS promoted DNL of TAG-bound FA, in muscle and VAT. High ²H-enrichment also found in muscle TAG-bound glycerol was indicative of its role on lipid cycling. In Asian seabass, HS had no effect on muscle FA composition and lipogenic flux, with no ²H-enriched TAG being detected. VAT on the other hand revealed a strong enhancement of DNL in HS-fed fish along with high TAG-bound glycerol cycling. This study consolidated the use of ²H₂O as tracer for fish lipid metabolism in different tissues, under different dietary conditions and suitable to use in different fish models.

Impact of Dietary Cornstarch Levels on Growth Performance, Body Composition and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

We conducted an 8-week feeding trial to determine the effects of dietary starch levels on growth performance, body composition, and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile soft-shelled turtles. Six fish meal-based diets containing 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 and 420 g kg−1 cornstarch were formulated. Body weight gain (BWG), crude protein concentration in whole body, as well as protease activity increased with increasing dietary starch levels until the highest at 240–300 g kg−1, but it was decreased at higher dietary starch content. In contrast, the feed conversion ratio, moisture content and hepatosomatic index were the lowest at 240–300 g kg−1 of cornstarch. The weight gain correlated significantly with the survival rate, the crude protein composition and the protease activity, but correlated negatively to the moisture content and the hepatosomatic index. The optimal dietary starch levels for the maximum BWG and maximum protease activity were 267.25 g kg−1 and 266.79 g kg−1, respectively. The α-amylase activity was the lowest at 120 g · kg−1 of cornstarch, and increased with increasing cornstrach content. The lipase activity and the amount of crude lipid in the turtles were not influenced by dietary cornstarch. Our results suggest that around 300 g kg−1 of cornstarch in diets is optimal for juvenile soft-shelled turtles.

Nutritional history does not modulate hepatic oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) submitted to handling stress

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of an acute handling stress on hepatic oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed diets differing in lipid so urce and carbohydrate content. For that purpose, four diets were formulated with fish oil (FO) and vegetable oils (VO) as lipid source and with 20 or 0% gelatinized starch as carbohydrate source. Triplicate groups of fish with 74 g were fed each diet during 13 weeks and then subjected to an acute handling stress. Stress exposure decreased hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Independent of dietary treatment, stress exposure increased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO). Stressed fish exhibited lower glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, independent of previous nutritional history. In the VO groups, stress exposure increased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Diet composition had no effect on Ht and Hb levels. In contrast, dietary carbohydrate decreased hepatic LPO and CAT activity and increased glutathione reductase (GR) and G6PD activities. Dietary lipids had no effect on LPO. Fish fed the VO diets exhibited higher G6PD activity than fish fed the FO diets. In conclusion, dietary carbohydrates contributed to the reduction of oxidative stress in fish. However, under the imposed handling stress conditions, liver enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms were not enhanced, which may explain the overall increased oxidative stress.

Dietary carbohydrates improve oxidative status of common dentex (Dentex dentex) juveniles, a carnivorous fish species

Common dentex (Dentex dentex) is an appreciated carnivorous fish with high growth rate and life cycle adaptable to existing farming techniques. Since the use of carbohydrates is an economic and sustainable alternative for a protein-sparing effect, the study of how this macronutrient affects the welfare of carnivorous species must be studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different types and levels of carbohydrates on common dentex oxidative status. Nine isonitrogenous (43%) and isoenergetic (22MJkg^-1) diets were formulated combining three types (pregelatinized starch-PS, dextrin-Dx and maltodextrin-Mx) and three levels (12, 18 and 24%) of carbohydrates. The activities of catalase-CAT, superoxide dismutase-SOD, glutathione peroxidase-GPX, glutathione reductase-GR and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-G6PDH, SOD isoenzymatic profile, lipid peroxidation-LPO and protein oxidation-PO were determined in liver and white muscle. SOD and CAT were not affected. GPX in liver and white muscle and GR in liver increased at higher inclusion carbohydrates levels. The lowest levels of GR and G6PDH in both tissues and LPO in liver were observed in maltodextrin groups. No significant effects by carbohydrate source were observed in liver PO and white muscle LPO. Regarding carbohydrate level effect, 18% and 24% dietary inclusion level decreased LPO in white muscle and PO in liver. LPO in liver was also decreased at 24% inclusion level. Altogether, results indicate the use of carbohydrates as an alternative energy source does not produce negative effects on oxidative status of common dentex, on the contrary, even contribute to their oxidative protection.

Dietary protein source affects the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) muscle

This study was designed to explore the effect of protein source on muscle susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in two representative species of fish farmed for human consumption: the freshwater rainbow trout and the seawater European sea bass. Four isoproteic diets (digestible protein in the range 366 to 392 for rainbow trout and 391 to 415 g/kg for European sea bass) were formulated to contain one of the following as the main protein source: fish meal, warm water alcohol-extracted or toasted soya protein concentrates or maize gluten meal. Highest daily growth indices were always achieved using the diets based on fish meal as the main source of protein (P< 0·05). Fish of both species given diets containing maize gluten and the toasted soya protein concentrate showed slowest growth. The depressant growth effect of the vegetable protein concentrates was greater in sea bass than in rainbow trout. Dietary treatment was not correlated with any significant effect on whole-body composition or intramuscular fat content except for ash concentration in European sea bass. Under conditions of forced peroxidation in vitro for 240 min, muscle specimens of trout and sea bass given diets containing fish protein as the main source of protein showed the highest peroxidation levels (P< 0·05); while the lowest peroxidation values were found in fish given maize gluten-containing diets (P< 0·05). In the present case, the partial substitution of fish meal with vegetable proteins in diets led to a lower susceptibility of fish flesh to peroxidation. This finding may have applications in the production of fish of improved quality and longer shelf life.

Effect of dietary macronutrient proportion on intermediate metabolism and oxidative status in sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): comparative study

Three isoenergetic diets varying the proportion of dietary energy supplied by each of the macronutrients (carbohydrate, lipid, or protein) were delivered, to farmed sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), to test the possible effects on the intermediate metabolism and oxidative status in liver, white muscle, and heart. In trout, there is an adaptive metabolic response to an increase in lipids and carbohydrates in the diet. However, this does not happen in the sturgeon. These differences may be due to different dietary habits of both species. In terms of oxidative status, only the liver displayed oxidative stress in both species, showing an increase in the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities after feeding with the high-lipid and high-protein diet.

Mitigation of immunosuppressive and oxidative stress effect of dietary gelatinized starch in Labeo rohita fingerlings by elevation of rearing temperature within optimum range

The present study was conducted to investigate the strategy to mitigate the immunosuppressive and oxidative stress effect of gelatinized starch in fingerling of Labeo rohita. Fingerlings were either maintained at ambient water temperature (26 °C) or exposed to 32 °C for one week and then subjected to 26 °C for four weeks. Both groups were fed with isoproteinous (30% crude protein) diets containing gelatinized (G) or non-gelatinized (NG) starch. After 5 weeks of feeding trial, fingerlings were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila and survival rate was recorded for the next 7 days. Serum cortisol and glucose content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in G starch fed group and decreased with the increase in temperature from 26 to 32 °C, which was consistent for next four week after decrease in temperature from 32 to 26 °C. Lower respiratory burst activity and serum total protein and globulin content in G starch fed group at 26 °C significantly (p < 0.05) increased after elevation of temperature from 26 to 32 °C and levelled off to NG starch fed group. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity of G starch fed group was significantly higher in group reared at 32 °C compared to 26 °C. After challenge, fish fed G starch showed lower survival rate than that of fish fed NG starch. Subsequently, exposure of elevated temperature (32 °C) for one week significantly increased the survival rate of G starch fed group and levelled off to NG starch fed group. The results of this study indicated that dietary G starch may cause metabolic stress of fingerling L. rohita, as might consequently lead to the decrease antioxidant abilities, depressed immunity and reduced resistance to A. hydrophila infection. Subsequently, exposure of elevated temperature (32 °C) for one week mitigate immunosuppressive and oxidative stress effect of dietary G starch.

Dietary carbohydrate and lipid sources affect differently the oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid source and carbohydrate content on the oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. For that purpose, four diets were formulated with fish oil (FO) and vegetable oils (VO) as the lipid source and with 20 or 0 % gelatinised starch as the carbohydrate source, in a 2×2 factorial design. Liver and intestine antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)), hepatic and intestinal lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as hepatic oxidative stress index (OSI), were measured in fish fed the experimental diets for 73 d (n 9 fish/diet). Carbohydrate-rich diets promoted a decrease in hepatic LPO and OSI, whereas the lipid source induced no changes. Inversely, dietary lipid source, but not dietary carbohydrate concentration, affected LPO in the intestine. Lower intestinal LPO was observed in VO groups. Enzymes responsive to dietary treatments were GR, G6PD and CAT in the liver and GR and GPX in the intestine. Dietary carbohydrate induced GR and G6PD activities and depressed CAT activity in the liver. GPX and GR activities were increased in the intestine of fish fed VO diets. Overall, effects of diet composition on oxidative status were tissue-related: the liver and intestine were strongly responsive to dietary carbohydrates and lipid sources, respectively. Furthermore, different metabolic routes were more active to deal with the oxidative stress in the two organs studied.

Protein utilisation and intermediary metabolism of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) as a function of protein:lipid ratio

Previous experiments with Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) have demonstrated that dietary lipid levels above 8 % impaired growth and did not promote protein retention. We hypothesised that this low ability to use high-lipid diets may depend on the dietary protein level. In the present study, a 2 × 2 factorial design was applied where two dietary lipid (4–17 % DM) and two dietary protein (below and above the requirement levels, 48 and 54 % DM) levels were tested in juveniles for 114 d. Growth performance was not improved by the increase in dietary fat, irrespectively of the dietary protein levels. Protein retention was similar among the diets, although fish fed the diets with high lipid content resulted in significantly lower protein gain. Among the enzymes involved in amino acid catabolism, only aspartate aminotransferase activity in the liver was affected by the dietary lipid levels, being stimulated in fish fed high-lipid diets. Moreover, phosphofructokinase 1 activity was significantly elevated in the muscle of Senegalese sole fed 4 % lipid diets, suggesting enhanced glycolysis in the muscle when the dietary lipid supply was limited and dietary starch increased. The results confirmed that high-lipid diets do not enhance growth, and data from the selected enzymes support the assumption that lipids are not efficiently used for energy production and protein sparing, even when dietary protein is below the protein requirement of the species. Furthermore, data suggest a significant role of glucose as the energy source in Senegalese sole.

Effects of temperature and dietary protein level on hepatic oxidative status of Senegalese sole juveniles (Solea senegalensis)

Effects of 55 and 45% dietary protein levels (55P and 45P diets, respectively) and temperature (12 and 18 °C) on hepatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels of Solea senegalensis juveniles were studied. Further, effects of acute thermal shocks provoked by a drop (18 °C to 12 °C) or a rise (12 °C to 18 °C) of water temperature on sole oxidative state was also evaluated. Dietary protein reduction increased LPO levels though no major alterations were found on antioxidant enzyme activities between dietary treatments. At 12 °C GR activity was higher and SOD activity was lower than 18 °C but LPO levels were not affected. In both thermal shock cases, LPO levels increased in 55P group, probably due to insufficient antioxidant enzyme activation. In contrast, fish of 45P group under acute exposition to warmer and colder temperature exhibited no substantial changes and a significant decrease on LPO levels, respectively, along with no major changes in antioxidant enzymes. Overall, results suggest that independently of rearing temperatures 45P group was more susceptible to oxidative stress than 55P group. Thermal shock either due to rise or drop of temperature seemed to induce oxidative stress in 55P group.

Modulation of blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) intermediary metabolic pathways by dispensable amino acids

The objective of the present work is to investigate the main metabolic pathways by which dispensable amino acids (DAA) are diverted towards lipid formation in blackspot seabream. For that purpose, a control diet was formulated to contain 45% of crude protein (7.2 g N/100 g dry matter) mainly supplied by fish meal (45P). In two other diets, 22.2% of the dietary nitrogen (1.6 g N/100 g dry matter) was replaced by an equivalent amount of nitrogen provided by two different mixtures of DAA: alanine and serine (diet AS) or aspartic and glutamic acid (diet AG). A fourth diet (diet 35P) only containing 35% of crude protein (5.6 g N/100 g dry matter) was included in order to analyze the possible additive effects of DAA. Compared to fish fed diet 35P, blackspot seabream appear to make a more efficient use of the nitrogen provided by alanine and serine than that provided by aspartic and glutamic acids in terms of growth. Contrary to fish fed AG, fish fed AS attained similar specific FAS activities as 45P fed fish, suggesting a further role of alanine and serine on this lipogenic pathway. Dietary nitrogen reduction (45P vs. 35P) or its replacement by a mixture of aspartic and glutamic acids (diet AG) were shown to up-regulate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) but without, however, any effect on plasma glucose levels. Dietary nitrogen level and nature seems to exert a complex regulation on energetic pathways through the gluconeogenesis/tricarboxylic acids cycle interaction.

Antioxidant enzymatic defenses and oxidative damage in Dentex dentex fed on different dietary macronutrient levels

A wide range of antioxidant mechanisms are present in fish maintaining an adequate "oxidative balance". When this balance tilts in favor of the oxidant agents "oxidative stress" arises with detrimental effects in molecules of great biological importance. Little has been reported about the influence of different dietary energy sources on antioxidant defenses in fish. The influence of different dietary macronutrient combinations on the key antioxidant enzyme activity, the oxidative damage to lipids and proteins and the possible modifications in the SOD isoenzymatic pattern were evaluated in liver, white muscle, heart and erythrocytes of common dentex (Dentex dentex). Four experimental diets with different protein:lipid:carbohydrate ratios (43/16/28; 43/24/4; 38/19/28 and 38/24/13) were formulated. In general, neither different dietary macronutrient levels nor the interaction among them induces substantial modifications in enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms. Two constitutive SOD isoforms, CuZn-SOD I and Mn-SOD, were detected in the tissues analyzed in all experimental groups, independently of diet formulation, but, a third SOD isoenzyme, CuZn-SOD II seems to be induced in white muscle by higher dietary protein levels. Densitometric analyses of western blotting membranes revealed higher CuZn-SOD expression in the heart of dentex fed on lower dietary protein levels, although these differences did not correlate with the SOD activity. Finally, a direct relation exists between the lipid or protein intake level and occurrence of oxidative damage in different tissue components.

Modulation of key metabolic enzyme of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) juvenile: effect of dietary starch type, protein level and exogenous alpha-amylase in the diet

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to delineate the effect of both gelatinized (G) and non-gelatinized (NG) corn with or without supplementation of exogenous alpha-amylase, either at optimum (35%) or sub-optimum (27%) protein levels, on blood glucose, and the key metabolic enzymes of glycolysis (hexokinase, HK), gluconeogenesis (glucose-6 phosphatase, G6Pase and fructose-1,6 bisphosphatase, FBPase), lipogenesis (glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD) and amino acid metabolism (alanine amino transferase, ALT and aspartate amino transferase, AST) in Labeo rohita. Three hundred and sixty juveniles (average weight 10 +/- 0.15 g) were randomly distributed into 12 treatment groups with each of two replicates. Twelve semi-purified diets containing either 35 or 27% crude protein were prepared by including G or NG corn as carbohydrate source with different levels of microbial alpha-amylase (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg kg(-1)). The G corn fed groups showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) blood glucose and G6PD activity, whereas G6Pase, FBPase, ALT and AST activity in liver was higher in the NG corn fed group. Dietary corn type, alpha-amylase level in diet or their interaction had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on liver HK activity, but the optimum crude protein (35%) fed group showed higher HK activity than their low protein counterparts. The sub-optimum crude protein (27%) fed group showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) G6PD activity than the optimum protein fed group, whereas the reverse trend was observed for HK, G6Pase, FBPase, ALT and AST activity. Addition of 50 mg alpha-amylase kg(-1) feed showed increased blood glucose and G6PD activity of the NG corn fed group, whereas the reverse trend was found for G6Pase, FBPase, ALT and AST activity in liver, which was similar to that of the G or NG corn supplemented with 100/150 mg alpha-amylase kg(-1) feed. Data on enzyme activities suggest that NG corn in the diet significantly induced more gluconeogenic and amino acid metabolic enzyme activity, whereas G corn induced increased lipogenic enzyme activity. Increased amino acid catabolic enzyme (ALT and AST) activity was observed either at optimum protein (35%) irrespective of corn type or NG corn without supplementation of alpha-amylase irrespective of protein level in the diet.

Non-gelatinized starch influences the deposition of n-3 fatty acids in the muscle of a tropical freshwater fish, Labeo rohita

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the influence of gelatinized (G) to non-gelatinized (NG) starch ratio in the diet on fatty acids profiles and oxidative status in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Two hundred and thirty-four fingerlings (average weight: 2.53 g) were distributed in six treatment groups with each of three replicates. Six semi-purified diets either containing NG and/or G corn starch (42.43%) viz., T(1) (100% NG and 0% G starch), T(2) (80% NG and 20% G starch), T(3) (60% NG and 40% G starch), T(4) (40% NG and 60% G starch), T(5) (20% NG and 80% G starch) and T(6) (0% NG and 100% G starch) was fed to respective groups. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and malic enzyme activities decreased linearly with the increasing level of G starch, whereas reverse trend was found for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Total saturated fatty acids in muscle increased with the increasing level of G starch in the diet. Total n-3 fatty acids decreased linearly with the increasing level of G starch in the diet. Among the n-3 fatty acids, linolenic acids content was more in NG starch fed group. Similarly, eicosapentaenoic acid contents gradually decreased with increasing level of G starch content. The n-6/n-3 ratio was higher in G starch fed group. This suggests that dietary starch type may be manipulated for quality improvement of fish flesh.