Chlorella vulgaris supplementation effects on performances, oxidative stress and antioxidant genes expression in liver and ovaries of New Zealand White rabbits

Abstract

Oxidative stress is an exclusive biochemical complication affecting reproduction; hence, dietary antioxidant supplementation for its attenuation is a required nutrition – reproduction improvement strategy. On this background, Chlorella vulgaris (a natural antioxidant) was supplemented to grower female rabbits to maturity. The rabbits were thirty-five in number randomly distributed into five experimental groups in a completely randomized design. Control group was fed only basal feed while treatment groups were fed diets containing 40 %, 60 %, 80 % and 100 % Chlorella vulgaris biomass as T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively at 500 mg per animal body weight (kg) along with the basal feed daily. Performance records were obtained, blood was collected, and at the end uterus, ovaries and liver were removed from sacrificed animals for analysis. Serum, uterus and liver oxidative stress status were determined while RNA isolated from liver and ovaries samples were used for antioxidant genes expression analysis. Oxidative stress status and antioxidant enzymes activities were determined using chemical assays while antioxidant gene expression levels were determined using real-time quantitative PCR system. There was significant difference in feed intake (p < 0.014), final body weights (p < 0.008), empty carcass weights (p < 0.001) and commercial carcass weights (p < 0.001) of the rabbits as results of the microalgae supplementation. There was also significant difference in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (p < 0.050), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p < 0.050) and protein carbonyl (PCO) concentrations (p < 0.050) due to the supplementation of the microalgae; in addition, supplementation of the microalgae significantly improved activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.050), catalase (CAT) (p < 0.050) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration (p < 0.050). Furthermore, there was significant difference in relative expression of primary antioxidant genes sod1 (p < 0.050) and gpx1 (p < 0.050); however, there was no significant difference in relative expression of bre (p > 0.050) and ucp1 (p > 0.050). The study concluded from the outcomes stated above that supplementation of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris improved performances of rabbits through attenuation of oxidative stress, enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities as well as up-regulation of primary antioxidant genes. Hence, it was recommended as dietary supplement for protection against oxidative stress and improved productivity in rabbits and other food producing mammalian species. In addition, further studies into assessment of its effects on expression of transcripts and immune modulation genes in rabbits and other animals is warranted as future studies in order to established its potential as beneficial nutraceutical for animals and human.

Impact of Fennel Essential Oil as an Antibiotic Alternative in Rabbit Diet on Antioxidant Enzymes Levels, Growth Performance, and Meat Quality

“…Glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) is an antioxidant gene increased due to the supplementation of essential oil or antibiotics. It was established that GPX1 reduces and detoxifies the hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides [ 91 ]. Thus, the up-regulation of this gene on the different groups could justify the reduction of the lipid peroxidation products in our study and reduce oxidative stress damages.…”

Elucidation of the liver proteome in response to an antioxidant intake in rabbits

“…Oxidative stress biomarkers including the malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl contents, total antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities of the liver and serum were determined using chemical assays as described in our previous studies [5].…”

“…According to Christaki et al [4], microalgae generally can be considered as sources of minerals and complementary sources of protein and functional nutrients that are suitable for use in both animals and humans. Chlorella vulgaris as a functional food for humans, in addition to its regular nutritional composition of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, can provide healthpromoting benefits such as immune activation, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and also serving as an antitoxic agent [5]. In a bid to facilitate the understanding of the mechanisms of the antioxidant properties of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris, its effects on patterns of gene expression in rabbit models have been investigated and it was discovered to be capable of inhibiting the progression of oxidative stress via upregulation of antioxidant genes in the liver of rabbits [6].…”

“…The microalga Chlorella vulgaris is an antioxidant agent with confirmed capacity of oxidative stress in inhibition at different physiological reproductive stages in rabbit models with specific oxidative stress protection for the liver [5,[10][11][12]. The microalga supplementation in fishes and other models was also reported and all the evaluations concluded that the microalga modulates the regulation and expression of primary antioxidant genes as mechanisms associated with its oxidative stress protection [13].…”

Effects of Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris on the Immune System and Reproduction of Fish

“…Some of the studies found were only focused on mammals. For example, Sikiru et al (2019) reported that C. vulgaris enhances oxidative stress, which was an exclusive biochemical complication that affected the reproduction in New Zealand White rabbits. Besides, the extract of C. vulgaris improves the histological adjustment of monosodium glutamate in ovarian tissue, the level of sex hormones, and increases the level of ovarian enzymatic antioxidants in adult female albino mice (Abdel-Aziem et al, 2018).…”