Effects of silymarin on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune response in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.). Issue 6 (24th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jingyu; Zhou, Huihui; Wang, Xuan; Mai, Kangsen; He, Gen
• Other Names: Leal Miguel guestEditor.; Calado Ricardo guestEditor.; Merrifield Daniel guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. Volume 50:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 1168
• Page End: 1181
• Publication Date: 2019-04-24
• Subjects: immunopotentiator -- oxidative stress -- silymarin -- turbot; Aquaculture -- Periodicals; 639.8
• DOI: 10.1111/jwas.12614
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-8849

Abstract

Abstract: A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted using triplicate groups of turbot (6.50 ± 0.01 g) to explore the potential effects of silymarin. Three concentrations of silymarin (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were added to the plant protein‐based diet. Fish were randomly distributed into fiberglass tanks (30 fish per tank). The results showed that adding 100 mg/kg silymarin significantly improved the growth performance, with no effects on feed utilization. The antioxidant capacity in the liver was significantly improved in the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg silymarin groups by not only inducing the activities of superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and catalase but also increasing the messager RNA (mRNA) expression levels of SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and peroxiredoxin 6. Meanwhile, supplying 100 and 200 mg/kg of silymarin enhanced the heights of villi and enterocytes. Silymarin supplementation reduced the mRNA expression of interleukin‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α but induced the expression of transforming growth factor‐β ( TGF‐β ) in the intestine. These results indicated that silymarin was a potential nutraceutical that could enhance the growth performance and health status of turbot fed in a high plant protein diet. Adding 100 mg/kg silymarin to the plant protein diet achieved optimal performance in turbot.