Dietary corn starch dose-dependently enhances intestinal and hepatic health in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

作者：GODFRED BOATENG AGYENIM, Fred Bissih, Derrick Adu Asare, Beiping Tan, Shiwei Xie, Junming Deng · 发表于：Aquaculture Reports · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.103298 · 研究领域：Aquaculture disease management and microbiota、Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth、Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors

The study aimed to investigate starch-induced hepatobiliary syndrome in juvenile largemouth bass. Six isonitrogenous diets (Con, CoS20, CoS40, CoS60, CoS80, CoS100) with corn starch substituting 0 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 %, and 100 % of wheat starch, respectively, were tested over 70 days. Three replicates per group and 30 fish per net, totaling 540 fish with an initial weight of 10.48 ± 0.05 g, were used. The results indicated a significant difference ( P < 0.05) in growth with optimal at 41–59 % corn starch inclusion. Fish fed CoS20-CoS80 showed improved postprandial insulin and glucose regulation, a sustained glycemic response, and enhanced glycolytic activity compared to the fish fed the Con diet ( P < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that Con-fed fish had reduced Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratios and increased Proteobacteria/Fusobacteria, indicating dysbiosis, while CoS60 promoted Firmicutes dominance for efficient carbohydrate fermentation and energy extraction. Liver antioxidant indices and serum biomarkers revealed that both Con and CoS100 induced metabolic stress and hepatic damage, while CoS40-CoS80 significantly improved them ( P < 0.05). Histology confirmed that Con-fed fish developed lipid accumulation, endothelial thickening, and inflammation, whereas CoS60 maintained liver health. Gene expression analysis confirmed a profound health benefit within the CoS40-CoS80 range, characterized by a significant down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokine and NF-κB Pa...