Pyrimidine analog effect on health and nutritional value of freshwater Stinging Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis.

Abstract

Objective: Pyrimidine has a broad range of biological actions and may be an eco-friendly substitute for health management.

Methods: To explore bioefficiency in fish, different concentrations (10 fg/mL to 1 mg/mL) of a pyrimidine analog (4,6-dimethyl-2-hydroxypyrimidine hydrochloride) were prepared from stock solution in water with Stinging Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis for 24 h to determine the effective concentration based on hematological parameters. The effective concentration of pyrimidine (10 pg/mL) was further examined for a study of duration effects (1, 5, and 21 d), followed by a 1-week recovery period (in only water).

Results: The pyrimidine analog improved health-supportive hematological parameters and moderated antioxidative stress. Pyrimidine treatment significantly increased red blood cell count and hemoglobin in Stinging Catfish. It also significantly decreased the white blood cell count, myeloperoxidase activity, and nitroblue tetrazolium in a time-dependent manner, thus helping to manage stress. Nutrient levels (protein, carbohydrate, and lipid) also were improved in pyrimidine-treated fish compared to control fish without treatment.

Conclusions: Results supported the stimulatory effect of pyrimidine on fish immunity, nutrient level, and health parameters. During the recovery period, the levels of the analyzed parameters remained close to those measured at 21 d of treatment compared to the control fish. A reduction in health-supportive parameters 1 week after pyrimidine treatment supported the metabolized nature of the pyrimidine analog compared to other contemporary bioaccumulative drugs. There was no side effect of the effective concentration of the pyrimidine analog, and it did not cause any change in body weight and growth after treatment.