文献类型：期刊文献

英文题名：Activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway is associated with NAC-mediated alleviation of nitrite-induced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in Marsupenaeus japonicus

作者：Lei, Yexin[1];Xu, Rui[1];Zhan, Jinlong[1];Liu, Jianyong[1]

机构：[1]Guangdong Ocean Univ, Coll Fisheries, Zhanjiang 524088, Peoples R China

年份：2026

卷号：170

外文期刊名：FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY

收录：SCI-EXPANDED(收录号：WOS:001664882000002)、、WOS

基金：Agro-Tech Extension Center of Guangdong Province (2024-MRB-00-001) ; Zhanjiang Science and Technology Bureau (2025A701) ; Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2023YFD2401705) .

语种：英文

外文关键词：Marsupenaeus japonicus; Nitrite exposure; Oxidative stress; Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway; Endoplasmic reticulum stress; Apoptosis

外文摘要：Nitrite accumulation poses a serious threat to aquatic animals in intensive aquaculture systems. Although the antioxidant role of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway is well established, its regulatory mechanisms under nitrite stress in crustaceans remain poorly understood. This investigation focused on the protective impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on Marsupenaeus japonicus exposed to nitrite toxicity. Shrimp were injected with NAC or PBS and then exposed to 100 mg/L of nitrite nitrogen for 72 h. The findings revealed that pretreatment with NAC markedly reduced tissue damage in both the hepatopancreas and gills, in comparison to the PBS control group. Additionally, the NAC-treated M. japonicus exhibited upregulated mRNA levels of Nrf2 and its associated antioxidant genes including NQO1, HO-1, CAT, GPx, GST, and SOD, while Keap1 expression was notably suppressed. Additionally, the NAC group downregulated endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related genes (PERK, eIF2 alpha, ATF4, GRP78, CHOP, IRE1, XBP1, ATF6) and apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, Caspase-9, p53, Bax, Apaf-1), while upregulating Bcl-2. Additionally, the NAC group improved total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and SOD activity, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and Caspase-3 activity, and decreased the apoptosis rate in the hepatopancreas. The results indicate that NAC alleviates oxidative stress, ERS, and apoptosis triggered by nitrite in M. japonicus. This protective effect is associated with the activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for nitrite toxicity in crustacean aquaculture.