Isabela Andres Finamor

Major depressive disorder is a reality to an increasing number of individuals worldwide, yet, it is still poorly understood and its treatment remains lackluster. Due to the subpar success rates of traditional monoaminergic pharmacotherapy, new targets have been explored. Here, the behavioral effects of a single dose of moxidectin (MOX) (1,5 mg/kg, 0,1 mL/10g, s.c.), a drug capable of allosterically modulating GABAA channels, was evaluated in male Swiss mice by the tail suspension (TST), splash (SPT), open field and elevated plus maze tests between 24 and 48 h post injection. MOX was capable of significantly decreasing the immobility time in TST and increasing grooming time in SPT, suggesting an antidepressant effect. To further explain the molecular pathways underlying MOX's observed behavioral changes, neurotrophic factors and oxidative stress biomarkers were identified. An increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) mRNA was observed, possibly explaining the behavioral changes. An increase in total antioxidant capacity and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the prefrontal cortex and a decrease of GST in the hippocampus of MOX-treated animals may have also contributed to these results. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the antidepressant-like effect of MOX in mice. While these results are preliminary, they’re promising. The utilization of GABAA modulators is an emerging and interesting new avenue to be explored in the treatment of neuropsychiatric ailments.

This study examined the intestinal morphology and the oxidative status of different tissues of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) naturally infected or not by Aeromonas hydrophila and fed diets supplemented with Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (EOCF) nanoemulsion (0 - control, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mL of EOCF per kg of diet) for 25 days. Dietary EOCF supplementation did not alter thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in the liver; however, in muscle, reduced superoxide anion production. Regarding muscle, the infected group fed with 0.25 mL of EOCF per kg of diet showed higher activity of the total antioxidant capacity compared to the uninfected group. Fish fed 0.25 mL per kg of diet had a survival rate of 72.05%, compared to 17.64% for the infected control. The intestinal fold height was significantly lower in the 0.5 mL EO group compared to the uninfected control group. Fish fed 0.5 and 1 mL per kg of diet presented a lower number of goblet cells than uninfected controls. The addition of 0.25 mL of EO per kg of diet is recommended for use as a feed additive since it increases the antioxidant responses, survival, and the resistance of silver catfish to A. hydrophila infection.

This study evaluated the dietary supplementation of Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (CFEO) nanoemulsion in the cutaneous and branchial morpho-adaptive response and its antioxidant potential for silver catfish juveniles naturally infected by Aeromonas hydrophila. Four hundred silver catfish juveniles were randomly distributed in a water recirculation system and fed diets supplemented with CFEO nanoemulsion at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL/kg of diet for 25 days. At the end of the experiment, skin, liver, and gill samples [...] ABSTRACT This study evaluated the dietary supplementation of Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (CFEO) nanoemulsion in the cutaneous and branchial morpho-adaptive response and its antioxidant potential for silver catfish juveniles naturally infected by Aeromonas hydrophila. Four hundred silver catfish juveniles were randomly distributed in a water recirculation system and fed diets supplemented with CFEO nanoemulsion at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL/kg of diet for 25 days. At the end of the experiment, skin, liver, and gill samples