The effect of Pediococcus acidilactici MA 18/5M on immune responses and mRNA levels of growth, antioxidant and immune-related genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Ehsan Ahmadifar, Mahmoud A.O. Dawood, Mohsen Shahriari Moghadam, Ali Hashemi Shahrestanaki, Hien Van Doan, Adel Hassan Saad, Mohamed Aboubakr, Ehab Yahya Abdelhiee, Sabreen E. Fadl
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici MA 18/5 M on the metabolic enzyme activities and mRNA levels of growth, immunity, and antioxidative-related genes in zebrafish. Zebrafish fed with diets containing P. acidilactici MA 18/5 M at 0, 107, 108, and 109 CFU/g levels for eight weeks. The obtained results revealed that the creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase remained unchanged in all groups (P > 0.05). Dietary P. acidilactici enhanced protease activity relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the non-treated group, lysozyme activity increased in fish fed with high and medium doses of P. acidilactici, but the mRNA level of lysozyme gene was only up-regulated in the fish received the high dose of P. acidilactici (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, gene expressions of IGF-1, TNF-α, GH-1, and catalase were increased by P. acidilactici at 107 CFU/g relative to the control group. Conversely, the expression of glutathione S-reductase (GSR) decreased in zebrafish fed with medium and high doses of P. acidilactici compared to the control group. Thus, dietary administration of P. acidilactici MA 18/5 M, especially at 107 CFU/g diet, could improve the growth, immunity, and health status of zebrafish.