Nano-Curcumin/Chitosan Modulates Growth, Biochemical, Immune, and Antioxidative Profiles, and the Expression of Related Genes in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with nano-curcumin (NCur) and a nano-curcumin/chitosan blend (NCur/Ch) on growth performance, digestibility, immune response, antioxidant status, intestinal morphometric characters, gene regulation in Nile tilapia. Fish (n = 180, initial body weight 12.0 ± 0.53 g) received supplementary NCur at rates 0 (control), 0.00625, 0.0125, NCur/Ch 0.00625 + 0.5 g/kg diet for 4 weeks. Growth performance parameters (final length, mass gain, specific growth, length gain rates) were markedly increased, feed conversion ratio was significantly decreased NCur- NCur/Ch-supplemented groups. Digestive enzyme (amylase), response markers (immunoglobulin M, nitrous oxide, lysozyme activity), plasma albumin, total protein increased significantly, mainly supplemented g NCur/kg. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine (ALT), glucose, cortisol levels groups compared control. Significantly glutathione peroxidase (GPx) malondialdehyde (MDA) observed group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity improved 0.0125 Intestinal including villus width, interspace, goblet cell abundance, cope associated upregulation insulin-like factor 1 (igf-1) complement C-5 (cc5) control Therefore, an could be tilapia diets as natural alternative promote digestion, liver function, related expression O. niloticus.