Ameliorative effect of vitamins (E and C) on biochemical alterations induced by sublethal concentrations of zinc oxide bulk and nanoparticles in Oreochromis niloticus

The comparison between bulk and nano ZnO particles were antecedently studied but describing the dose-dependent toxicity and the ameliorative effect of vitamins (E and C) in Oreochromis niloticus, have not been previously documented. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effect of vitamins (E and C) against oxidative stress and biochemical alterations induced by sublethal concentrations of zinc oxide bulk particles (ZnOBPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). Toxicity tests were carried out on O. niloticus and showed that 96 h LC50 values of ZnOBPs and ZnONPs were 84 mg/l and 5.6 mg/l respectively. Exposure of the studied fish to these sublethel concentrations for 7, 14, 21 & 28 days showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum glucose, AST, ALT, creatinine, urea and uric acid compared to control groups while, fish groups exposed to ZnOBPs or ZnONPs and supplemented with vitamins E and C, their serum enzyme concentrations were decreased compared to the groups without supplementation after 7, 14, 21 and 28 day. On the other hand, antioxidant defense enzymes (SOD, CAT and GST) activity in O.niloticus fish were increased significantly (p < 0.05) when exposed to sublethal concentrations of ZnOBPs or ZnONPs compared to the control value. However, fish groups supplemented with vitamins (E and C) have a decrease in SOD, CAT and GST enzymes activity when compared to unsupplemented groups and the values returned to similar levels established in the control at low concentrations but still higher than control at the high concentrations.