Overusing the insecticide imidacloprid (IMD) in agriculture has led to its presence in water bodies, causing serious environmental issues and fish toxicity. This study explored the potential benefits of grape seed extract (GSE) in mitigating IMD-induced growth and hormonal and gastrointestinal toxicity in Nile tilapia. A total of 240 healthy juvenile tilapias Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus), weighing an average of 11.44 ± 2.01 g at 2 weeks of age, were divided equally into four groups, each with three replicates. The control group received no special treatment, while the second group was given a diet containing 2% GSE^®. The third group was exposed to 1.5 µg IMD per liter of water. The fourth group was subjected to the same IMD exposure and fed a diet containing 2% GSE^®. These treatments were administered continuously for 75 days. Growth indices, survival rate, biochemical parameters, and digestive enzymes were measured. In addition, the growth-related hormones, intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. Histological evaluations were conducted on the stomach, duodenum, ileum, and hepatopancreas, alongside body composition analysis. Exposure to IMD delayed growth, impaired serum biochemistry and digestive enzyme activity, altered body composition, obstructed hormonal responses, decreased CAT activity, and increased intestinal MDA. All tissues exhibited signs of degradation. Combining dietary GSE^® with IMD improved the former parameters affected by IMD. In conclusion, research suggests that incorporating GSE^® into the diet may help reduce the adverse effects of IMD exposure on Nile tilapia, presenting a promising opportunity to address the environmental impacts of insecticide contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Graphical Abstract

Administering Bacilli clausii as probiotics during the maternal period may enhance microbial balance and positively impact offspring growth and immune health. This study evaluated the influence of Bacillus given to pregnant mice on the growth and immune development of their male albino offspring at 28 days old. Twenty-four Swiss albino mice (16 females and 8 males) were mated and assigned to four groups. Sixteen pregnant mice were divided into four groups (n = 4/group). The control group received a standard diet with distilled water, while the other three groups received daily doses of Bacilli (1.25 mL at 1 × 10^9 CFU) at different pregnancy stages: the second group on gestational day (GD) 0, the third on GD 8, and the fourth on GD 16. At 28 days after birth, male offspring were weighed, and blood samples were collected. The EDTA samples were used for hematological profiles, while serum samples were analyzed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG). Spleens were weighed and analyzed for mTOR using qPCR, ELISA, and histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining for IGF-1 and FOXO1 markers. The GD0 group showed significant increases in body weight, spleen weight, spleen somatic index (SSI), GH, IGF-1, IL-10, IgA, and IgG levels, as well as mTOR protein and transcript levels, while TNF-α and IFN-γ levels decreased. Macroscopic analysis revealed a well-structured white pulp containing aggregated lymphocytes. Elevated levels of IGF-1 expression were observed, while FOXO1 expression was decreased. These findings indicate that early maternal probiotic supplementation improves lymphocyte activity and facilitates the remodeling of the splenic immune system in offspring and thus represents an innovative approach to immune programming during early life.

Antibiotics are frequently used in livestock, aquaculture, and poultry, resulting in their accumulation in these animals and the surrounding environment. This contamination can present health risks to humans. Research on the harmful effects of antibiotics, especially their potential to disrupt hormones in the male reproductive system, is still in its early phases. This study investigated the impact of exposure to the antibiotic amoxicillin (AMO) on male reproductive health. The aim is to shed light on the potential dangers antibiotics pose to male reproductive health and to emphasize how Bacillus clausii may help protect against the toxic effects of AMO. The study included four groups treated via gavage: control animals, a supplemented group receiving B. clausii (1.25 ml, 1 × 10^9 CFU per mouse per day), a group treated with AMO at 30 mg/kg daily, and a fourth group that received AMO and B. clausii . After 45 days of treatment, blood samples were collected to assess serum activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and levels of reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, and testosterone. Testicular tissue samples were analyzed for mechanistic target of rapamycin ( mTOR) gene expression and histological changes. This study demonstrates that exposure to AMO negatively impacts male reproductive health by increasing oxidative stress, reducing testosterone levels, causing testicular damage, and downregulating the mTOR expression level. However, supplementation with B. clausii mitigates these harmful effects, likely due to its antioxidant properties. The probiotic reduced oxidative stress markers, improved testosterone levels, and alleviated testicular lesions, thereby upregulating the mTOR expression level, which suggests its potential protective role against antibiotic-induced toxicity.

This study evaluated the protective effects of green coffee (Coffea arabica L.) extract (GCE) against metabolic and endocrine disturbances induced by fipronil (FIP) in male rats. Animals were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 6): control, GCE (100 mg/kg), FIP (4.85 mg/kg), and combined FIP + GCE, and treated orally for 90 days. FIP exposure significantly impaired glucose homeostasis, as indicated by a 14.8% increase in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) response and a 2.4-fold increase in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). It also disrupted lipid metabolism, with marked elevations in triglycerides (74.10%) and total cholesterol (57.55%). Endocrine imbalance was evident, including increased resistin levels (113.86%) and reduced triiodothyronine (T3; −37.5%), adiponectin (−42.73%), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; −9.31%). Oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly enhanced, as demonstrated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA; +93.56%) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β: +246.56%; IL-6: +275%), alongside a reduction in total antioxidant capacity (TAC; −45.24%). Additionally, serum albumin levels decreased markedly (−54%). Co-administration of GCE significantly improved metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters, including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Histopathological analysis further confirmed its protective effects on hepatic and renal tissues. Overall, GCE mitigates FIP-induced metabolic and endocrine dysfunction, likely through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

1. Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with conventional chemotherapy limited by toxicity, poor selectivity, and resistance (Greish 2007, LaRocque et al. 2009, Wang et al. 2009)....