Effects of fucoidan on the hematic indicators and antioxidative responses of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B₁

Fucoidan is a rich source of medicinally active immunostimulants that possess various pharmacological properties. This study examined the potential impact of fucoidan on the hematic indicators and antioxidative responses of Nile tilapia fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). Fish (60 ± 6.1 g) were allocated to five groups; the first (control) and second groups were fed 0% or 1% fucoidan–supplemented diets without AFB₁ contamination, while the third, fourth, and fifth groups were fed diets contaminated with AFB₁ and supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, and 1% fucoidan, respectively. After 30 days, fish fed AFB₁ showed high ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine levels; furthermore, total blood protein and tissue (liver, kidney, and gill) glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in fish fed AFB₁, while tissue malondialdehyde significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, fish fed fucoidan showed decreased ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine, as well as increased blood protein, GSH, GPx, SOD, and CAT activity. The results suggested that fucoidan is capable of inducing protective activity against AFB₁ toxicity in Nile tilapia by enhancing the serum biochemical and tissue antioxidant responses of fish.