Worapol Aengwanich

Acute temperature elevation can challenge physiological regulation and cellular redox homeostasis in ectotherms, yet integrated physiological and redox responses remain poorly characterized in the Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis Schneider, 1801). This study aimed to evaluate physiological responses during acute warming and characterize biochemical responses in pooled blood cells. Six crocodiles were exposed to temperatures of 30–38 °C, while pooled blood cells were incubated at 30–40 °C. Body temperature increased from 31.35 ± 0.15 °C at 30 °C to 37.48 ± 0.20 °C at 38 °C (p < 0.0001), while pulse rate increased from 42.50 ± 5.82 bpm at 34 °C to 62.38 ± 6.33 bpm at 36 °C (p < 0.05); blood oxygen saturation remained unchanged. Within the pooled preparation, hydrogen peroxide increased and glutathione peroxidase activity decreased at higher temperatures (p < 0.05), accompanied by alterations in ferric iron, lipid hydroperoxide, and malondialdehyde. Mitochondrial activity, total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide, and protein oxidation remained unchanged. Because the biochemical experiment comprised one pooled biological preparation, these results represent within-preparation responses rather than population-level effects. These findings provide an integrated characterization of whole-animal physiological responses and complementary changes in redox balance, iron status, and lipid peroxidation during acute warming in Siamese crocodiles.

Global warming is increasing the frequency of acute temperature fluctuations that may threaten ectothermic reptiles, but the underlying physiological and cellular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated physiological changes, oxidative imbalance, antioxidant systems, nitric oxide, iron metabolism, and red blood cell morphology in butterfly lizards (Leiolepis belliana belliana) under acute temperature elevation. Physiological responses were evaluated in vivo in butterfly lizards exposed to temperatures of 27–37 °C, whereas biochemical responses in red blood cells were examined in vitro at 27–39 °C, and red blood cell morphology was evaluated at 27–37 °C. Body temperature (p = 0.00000107) and pulse rate (p = 0.00000147) increased significantly with increasing temperature, whereas respiratory rate (p = 0.4185) and blood oxygen saturation (p = 0.7672) were not significantly affected. In blood cells, cellular metabolic activity (p = 0.00000674), malondialdehyde (p = 0.000256), protein oxidation (p = 0.0000526), ferric iron (p = 0.000000105), and vitamin E (p = 0.000464) increased significantly, whereas total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.0000000896), glutathione (p = 0.000453), nitric oxide (p = 0.000000252), and ferrous iron (p = 0.0000000182) decreased significantly. Hydrogen peroxide (p = 0.000181), glutathione peroxidase activity (p = 0.000000169), and catalase activity (p = 0.00000182) also showed significant temperature-dependent changes. Red blood cell elongation increased significantly (p = 0.0005), whereas nucleus size remained unchanged (nucleus length, p = 0.6800; nucleus width, p = 0.8814). Acute temperature elevation increased cellular metabolic activity and was accompanied by impaired antioxidant defense, oxidative damage, disruption of nitric oxide homeostasis, and iron dysregulation in butterfly lizard red blood cells. These findings improve our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying acute heat stress in ectothermic reptiles.

This study was aimed at examining the physiological and biochemical response of live Nile tilapia (NT) (Oreochromis niloticus Linn.) and Nile tilapia blood cells (NTBC) to abrupt ambient temperature reductions. NT was exposed to water temperatures between 24 °C and 14 °C during the experiment, while NTBC was subjected to temperatures between 24 °C and 12 °C, with a 2 °C temperature reduction at each stage. Physiological parameters of NT were assessed, including core body temperature, heart rate, ventilation rate, body coloration score, and oxygen saturation. In addition, biochemical parameters of NTBC were measured, i.e., total antioxidant capacity, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and mitochondrial activity. It was found that lowering the water temperature from 24 °C to 14 °C caused a drop in core body temperature and ventilation rates (P < 0.05), while heart rates rose at 18 °C (P < 0.05) before falling. Body coloration scores became higher at 20 °C and grew more intense as the water temperature fell further (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial activity peaked at 18 °C (P < 0.05), while malondialdehyde rose significantly between 16 °C and 12 °C (P < 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity decreased at 18 °C (P < 0.05) and remained low to 12 °C. Nitric oxide dropped at 20 °C and 12 °C (P < 0.05), while hydrogen peroxide peaked at 14 °C (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that NT is highly sensitive to temperatures below 20 °C, which increases oxidative stress and requires enhanced antioxidant defenses below 18 °C. Finally, the results align between in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Context: Paraquat (PQ) induces cytotoxicity primarily through the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to apoptosis. Morus alba L. leaves are rich in polyphenols and known for their potent antioxidant properties. Aims: To quantify the total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant activity of polyphenol extracts from Morus alba L. leaves (PEFML) and evaluate their protective effect against PQ-induced cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: Total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant activity of PEFML were assessed using standard in vitro assays. RAW264.7 macrophages were pretreated with PEFML for 24 hours prior to exposure to PQ (0.8 mM) for an additional 24 hours. Subsequently, cell viability, apoptosis, intracellular ROS generation, and the Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratio were analyzed. Results: PEFML demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, as indicated by high phenolic content and strong antioxidant capacity. PEFML at concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 9.6 µg/mL exhibited no cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells. Notably, PEFML significantly suppressed intracellular ROS generation, particularly at 2.4 and 4.8 µg/mL concentrations. Pre-treatment with PEFML effectively reduced PQ-induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages by modulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Conclusions: These findings suggest that PEFML exerts a cytoprotective effect against PQ-induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages, likely through the attenuation of oxidative stress and regulation of apoptotic signaling pathways.

Background: Broiler production is crucial for global food security as a high-quality protein source. However, climate change causes extreme temperature fluctuations, including severe cold stress. Sudden ambient temperature drops impair broiler growth and health. This study investigates how continuously decreasing ambient temperature affects oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity in broiler blood cells. Methods: Blood cells pooled from two broiler chickens were diluted and subjected to a gradual temperature reduction from 42oC to 0oC, with 3oC decrements at each step. Mitochondrial activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase activity and nitric oxide (NO) levels were subsequently measured. Result: Mitochondrial activity and NO levels showed significant quadratic trends (P less than 0.05), increasing at moderate cold before declining at lower temperatures. From 42oC to 21oC, mitochondrial activity rose significantly at 39-33oC and 21oC (P less than 0.05), while MDA levels increased at 39-27oC and 21oC (P less than 0.05). TAC declined significantly from 42oC to colder points (P less than 0.05). Between 18oC and 0oC, mitochondrial activity and NO fluctuated, suggesting an adaptive response. Conversely, H2O2, GSH and catalase levels remained stable across all temperatures (P greater than 0.05). These findings highlight a complex cellular response to cold stress, emphasizing the need for proper cold stress management in broiler production.

Castration is an essential procedure in beef cattle management, designed to enhance meat quality, regulate aggressiveness, and control undesirable breeding. This study compared the impacts of Burdizzo and surgical castration on the immunological, oxidative, and inflammatory responses in Angus calves. Calves were randomly assigned to the Burdizzo (n = 4) and surgical (n = 4) castration groups. Blood samples were collected before castration and 3, 6, 24, and 48 h post-castration for the measurement of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, the total antioxidant capacity, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations, including CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, and CD3⁺WC1⁺ T-cells. The results showed that Burdizzo castration caused significantly higher levels of IFN-γ at 3 and 6 h, TNF-α at 24 and 48 h, IL-10 at 3 and 24 h, and malondialdehyde at 24 h post-castration (p < 0.05), indicating more intense inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. Both methods caused alterations in CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺ T-cell counts, while Burdizzo castration induced longer-lasting immune activation. These findings indicate that surgical castration may provide welfare advantages by mitigating prolonged inflammation and stress and promoting faster recovery. This study offers insights into optimal castration practices prioritizing productivity and animal welfare.

Background: Diabetes mellitus exacerbates immune dysfunction, leading to higher susceptibility to infections. This study investigated the effects of antibiotics on macrophage functions under high glucose conditions to mimic a diabetic context. Methods: Using murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7, the present study evaluated the cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production after treatment with four antibiotics: oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, and cefotaxime. Results: All antibiotics demonstrated no cytotoxicity across 1×–8× MIC concentrations. Hyperglycemia significantly impaired macrophage phagocytosis and bactericidal activity while inducing pro-inflammatory mediator markers, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. Only ciprofloxacin significantly improved phagocytic achieving levels comparable to the low glucose control. Treatments with ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, and cefotaxime significantly enhanced bactericidal activity without altering the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. Conclusions: These findings underscore the negative effect of high glucose on macrophage functions and suggest that ciprofloxacin may be a potential therapeutic option for diabetes-associated infections.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious viral disease of cattle. This experiment aimed to study the influence of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection and farm size on hematological, biochemical parameters and cytokines in 55 beef cattle. The groups included LSDV–infected cattle from large farms (Group 1), LSDV–infected cattle from small farms (Group 2), uninfected cattle from large farms (Group 3), and uninfected cattle from small farms (Group 4). The hematological, biochemical values and cytokine profiles were measured. The results showed that red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were higher in infected cattle than in the uninfected cattle. The level of eosinophils of the cattle from the large farm was higher than that of the small farm. Gamma glutamyl transferase in the infected cattle was higher than in the uninfected cattle. Albumin of the cattle from the small farm was higher than that from the large farm. IFN–γ in infected cattle was higher than in uninfected cattle, while TNF–α in the infected cattle was lower than in the uninfected cattle. Our study indicated that LSDV infection altered hematological and biochemical parameters, including cytokine profiles, with farm size potentially influencing these alterations.

Background: Vaccination and deworming are routine programs in cattle health management. However, the anthelmintic’s effectiveness on the immune response in vaccinated cattle is limited. Therefore, this study investigated whether anthelmintic administration affects the oxidative stress and immunity induced by vaccination against lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle. Methods: Thirty-seven Thai beef cattle were divided into two groups. Group 1) 19 cattle were vaccinated against LSD with a Neethling LSD virus (LSDV) vaccine as the control group and Group 2) 18 cattle were vaccinated against LSD with a Neethling LSDV vaccine and received albendazole treatment. Then, the intensity of gastrointestinal parasite infestation, level of malondialdehyde, inflammatory cytokines and antibody titer to LSDV were investigated in both groups on day 30 of the experimental period. Result: The results showed that the types and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites were decreased in the anthelmintic-treated group. There were no significant differences in the levels of malondialdehyde, IFN-γ, TNF-α and LSD-specific antibody titers between the control and the anthelmintic treatment group (P greater than 0.05), while the expression level of IL-4 in the anthelmintic treatment group was significantly lower than in the control group (P less than 0.05). Our study indicated that albendazole treatment did not affect oxidative stress and innate and adaptive immunity against LSDV. Moreover, single-dose albendazole therapy led to a reduction in the expression level of IL-4, which is involved in defense against parasites.