Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation

Abstract Background Candida albicans infection induces economic losses in aquaculture practices. Currently, the success of the nanotechnology field has gained more consideration in the aquaculture sector as it bestows favorable impacts in remedies in comparison to traditional practices. Objective Th...

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Main Authors: Heba H. Mahboub, Afaf N. Abdel Rahman, Sara T. Elazab, Abdelwahab A. Abdelwarith, Elsayed M. Younis, Mohamed Shaalan, Enas K. Aziz, Mohammed S. Sobh, Morteza Yousefi, Sameh H. Ismail, Simon J. Davies, Mohamed M. S. Gaballa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04568-4
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author Heba H. Mahboub
Afaf N. Abdel Rahman
Sara T. Elazab
Abdelwahab A. Abdelwarith
Elsayed M. Younis
Mohamed Shaalan
Enas K. Aziz
Mohammed S. Sobh
Morteza Yousefi
Sameh H. Ismail
Simon J. Davies
Mohamed M. S. Gaballa
author_facet Heba H. Mahboub
Afaf N. Abdel Rahman
Sara T. Elazab
Abdelwahab A. Abdelwarith
Elsayed M. Younis
Mohamed Shaalan
Enas K. Aziz
Mohammed S. Sobh
Morteza Yousefi
Sameh H. Ismail
Simon J. Davies
Mohamed M. S. Gaballa
author_sort Heba H. Mahboub
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Candida albicans infection induces economic losses in aquaculture practices. Currently, the success of the nanotechnology field has gained more consideration in the aquaculture sector as it bestows favorable impacts in remedies in comparison to traditional practices. Objective The present study was conducted to assess the role of nano chitosan gel (NCG) exposure via water in managing the deteriorating impacts triggered by C. albicans in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Hepato-renal function, behavioral and stress response, neurological function, hepatic antioxidant/oxidant status, and histopathological architectures were investigated. Methods A total of 160 fish (average weight: 50.00 ± 6.30 g) were randomly assigned to four groups, each with four replicates: control, NCG, C. albicans, and NCG + C. albicans. The NCG was applied as bath treatment at a concentration of 75 µg/L for ten days. Results The outcomes demonstrated that the C. albicans challenged fish exhibited obvious behavioral alterations including loss of equilibrium, surfacing, abnormal swimming and movement, and aggression. Infection with C. albicans caused an elevation in hepato-renal biomarkers (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine), stress-related indices (glucose, cortisol, nor-epinephrine, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), and lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde). Moreover, it caused a noticeable decline in the hepatic antioxidant indices (total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione content) and acetylcholinesterase activity. The hepatic, renal, and brain architectures were severely damaged by the C. albicans challenge, exhibiting significant fatty changes, necrosis, vacuolation, and congestion. Remarkably, the aqueous application of NCG in the C. albicans-challenged fish ameliorated all the aforementioned biomarkers and facilitated the regeneration of histopathological changes. Conclusion Overall, the application of NCG in the aquatic environment is an effective tool for managing C. albicans infection in Nile tilapia. Moreover, it can be utilized in combating stress conditions in the aquaculture sector.
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spelling doaj-art-d7e18af3224f455ab2b33fcf3bcff9e62025-08-20T01:57:51ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-03-0121111410.1186/s12917-025-04568-4Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigationHeba H. Mahboub0Afaf N. Abdel Rahman1Sara T. Elazab2Abdelwahab A. Abdelwarith3Elsayed M. Younis4Mohamed Shaalan5Enas K. Aziz6Mohammed S. Sobh7Morteza Yousefi8Sameh H. Ismail9Simon J. Davies10Mohamed M. S. Gaballa11Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig UniversityDepartment of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo UniversityDepartment of Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat CityPathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, RUDN UniversityFaculty of Nanotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, Cairo UniversityAquaculture Nutrition Research Unit ANRU, Carna Research Station, Ryan Institute, College of Science and Engineering, University of GalwayDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha UniversityAbstract Background Candida albicans infection induces economic losses in aquaculture practices. Currently, the success of the nanotechnology field has gained more consideration in the aquaculture sector as it bestows favorable impacts in remedies in comparison to traditional practices. Objective The present study was conducted to assess the role of nano chitosan gel (NCG) exposure via water in managing the deteriorating impacts triggered by C. albicans in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Hepato-renal function, behavioral and stress response, neurological function, hepatic antioxidant/oxidant status, and histopathological architectures were investigated. Methods A total of 160 fish (average weight: 50.00 ± 6.30 g) were randomly assigned to four groups, each with four replicates: control, NCG, C. albicans, and NCG + C. albicans. The NCG was applied as bath treatment at a concentration of 75 µg/L for ten days. Results The outcomes demonstrated that the C. albicans challenged fish exhibited obvious behavioral alterations including loss of equilibrium, surfacing, abnormal swimming and movement, and aggression. Infection with C. albicans caused an elevation in hepato-renal biomarkers (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine), stress-related indices (glucose, cortisol, nor-epinephrine, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), and lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde). Moreover, it caused a noticeable decline in the hepatic antioxidant indices (total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione content) and acetylcholinesterase activity. The hepatic, renal, and brain architectures were severely damaged by the C. albicans challenge, exhibiting significant fatty changes, necrosis, vacuolation, and congestion. Remarkably, the aqueous application of NCG in the C. albicans-challenged fish ameliorated all the aforementioned biomarkers and facilitated the regeneration of histopathological changes. Conclusion Overall, the application of NCG in the aquatic environment is an effective tool for managing C. albicans infection in Nile tilapia. Moreover, it can be utilized in combating stress conditions in the aquaculture sector.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04568-4Antioxidant statusBiological stressCandida albicansHistopathologyNano chitosan gelNile tilapia
spellingShingle Heba H. Mahboub
Afaf N. Abdel Rahman
Sara T. Elazab
Abdelwahab A. Abdelwarith
Elsayed M. Younis
Mohamed Shaalan
Enas K. Aziz
Mohammed S. Sobh
Morteza Yousefi
Sameh H. Ismail
Simon J. Davies
Mohamed M. S. Gaballa
Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation
BMC Veterinary Research
Antioxidant status
Biological stress
Candida albicans
Histopathology
Nano chitosan gel
Nile tilapia
title Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation
title_full Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation
title_fullStr Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation
title_full_unstemmed Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation
title_short Nano-chitosan hydrogel alleviates Candida albicans-induced health alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): antioxidant response, neuro-behaviors, hepato-renal functions, and histopathological investigation
title_sort nano chitosan hydrogel alleviates candida albicans induced health alterations in nile tilapia oreochromis niloticus antioxidant response neuro behaviors hepato renal functions and histopathological investigation
topic Antioxidant status
Biological stress
Candida albicans
Histopathology
Nano chitosan gel
Nile tilapia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04568-4
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