Effects of alginate oligosaccharides on the growth performance, hepatocyte health, and intestinal inflammation of the Chinese sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

Abstract

In this study, the effects of alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) on the growth performance and health of the Chinese sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) were evaluated. Six trial diets (0.00 %, 0.03 %, 0.06 %, 0.09 %, 0.12 %, and 0.15 % AOS) were formulated and fed to Chinese sea bass larvae (body weight 8.16 ± 0.11 g) for 56 days. The results showed that the growth performance of fish fed with diets containing 0.09–0.15 % AOS were significantly higher than that with the control diet. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase, peroxidase, and lysozyme were significantly higher in fish fed with diets containing AOS than in those in the control group; however, the plasma triglyceride concentrations of fish were decreased. Dietary AOS with 0.06–0.15 % activated the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway and enhanced the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of the fish. Simultaneously, it promoted the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and inhibited cell apoptosis. Conclusively, this study reveals that dietary AOS improves the growth performance, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, and immunity of the Chinese sea bass.