Helena Modra
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno
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Featured researches published by Helena Modra.
Fish & Shellfish Immunology | 2013
R. Dobšíková; Jana Blahova; Ivana Mikulíková; Helena Modra; Praskova E; Zdeňka Svobodová; Mišo Škorič; Jiří Jarkovský; Andrzej-Krzysztof Siwicki
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of micronized β-1.3/1.6-D-glucan (BG) derived from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus Hiratake and tetracycline antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) on biometrical, haematological, biochemical, and immunological indices, and histopathological changes in tissues of one- to two-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The fish tested were divided into five experimental groups and one control. Carp in the control group were fed commercial carp feed pellets. Fish in the five experimental groups were fed the same pellets supplemented with either OTC, a combination of OTC and BG, or BG as follows: 75 mg oxytetracycline kg(-1) bw (OTC group), 75 mg oxytetracycline kg(-1) bw and 0.5% β-glucan (OTC + 0.5% BG group), 75 mg oxytetracycline kg(-1) bw and 2.0% β-glucan (OTC + 2.0% BG group), 0.5% β-glucan (0.5% BG group), and 2.0% β-glucan (2.0% BG group). OTC- and BG-supplemented diets and the control diet were administered to experimental and control carp for 50 days (i.e. samplings 1-3, the exposure period); for the following 14 days, fish were fed only control feed pellets with no OTC or BG supplementation (i.e. sampling 4, the recovery period). Blood and tissue samples were collected both during, and at the end of the study. No significant changes in biometrical indices (i.e. total length, standard length, total weight, hepatosomatic and spleen somatic index, and Fultons condition factor) were found in experimental carp compared to control in any sampling. In haematological indices, significant changes were found only in sampling 2, in which shifts in PCV (P < 0.01), Hb (P < 0.01), and WBC (P < 0.01), and in the counts of lymphocytes (P < 0.01), monocytes (P < 0.01), and neutrophil granulocytes-segments (P < 0.05) were revealed. As for biochemical profiling, plasma concentrations of glucose, albumins, cholesterol, natrium, and chlorides (all P < 0.01), and total proteins, lactate, phosphorus, and potassium (all P < 0.05) as well as the catalytic activity of ALP (P < 0.05) were altered in common carp. A significant change in induced (opsonizedzymosan particles, OZP) chemiluminescence (P < 0.05) in sampling 3 and no shifts in serum immunoglobulins concentration were found in the immunological analysis. Histopathological examination of skin, gills, liver, spleen, and cranial and caudal kidneys revealed no obvious specific changes in any tissue analysed. The use of β-glucans in clinically healthy aquaculture remains an issue. Nevertheless, their use in breeding endangered by stress stimuli, infectious disease, or adverse environmental factors is defensible.
BioMed Research International | 2014
Jana Blahova; Helena Modra; Marie Sevcikova; Petr Maršálek; Lenka Zelnickova; Miša Škorič; Zdenka Svobodova
The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of atrazine exposure (5, 15, 20, and 30 mg·L−1) on common carp and the ability of regeneration. During 96 h exposure we observed abnormal behavior in fish exposed to 20 and 30 mg·L−1. Mortality and histological alterations were noticed only in the group exposed to 30 mg·L−1. Most experimental groups showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower values of haemoglobin, haematocrit, leukocyte, and lymphocyte and significantly higher values of monocytes, segmented and band neutrophile granulocytes, and also metamyelocytes and myelocytes. A significantly lower (P < 0.05) leukocyte count was also recorded in experimental groups (5 and 15 mg·L−1) after recovery period. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) alterations in glucose, total protein, lactate, phosphorus, calcium, and biopterin as well as in activities of ALT, AST, ALP, and LDH were found in most experimental groups. These changes were most apparent in the groups exposed to 20 and 30 mg·L−1. Most of the indices were found to be restored after the 7-day recovery period with the exception of LDH, ALT, and lactate in the group exposed to 15 mg·L−1. Our results showed that atrazine exposure had a profound negative influence on selected indices and also on histological changes of common carp.
Interdisciplinary Toxicology | 2009
Helena Modra; Zdeňka Svobodová
Incidence of animal poisoning cases in the Czech Republic: current situation This article reports the most frequent cases of poisoning in farm animals, horses, cats, dogs, wild animals, fish and honey-bees in the Czech Republic. At present, there are fewer cases of acute poisoning caused by high doses of toxic substances but there are more and more cases of chronic poisoning as a consequence of environmental pollution.
BioMed Research International | 2014
Iveta Matejova; Helena Modra; Jana Blahova; Ales Franc; Petr Fictum; Marie Sevcikova; Zdenka Svobodova
Deoxynivalenol (DON), produced by the Fusarium genus, is a major contaminant of cereal grains used in the production of fish feed. The effect of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was studied using a commercial feed with the addition of DON in a dose of 2 mg/kg feed. The fish (n = 40) were exposed to the mycotoxin for 23 days. The trout were divided into two groups, control and experimental groups. Control groups were fed a commercial feed naturally contaminated with a low concentration of DON (225 μg/kg feed); experimental groups were fed a commercial feed with the addition of DON (1964 μg/kg feed). Plasma biochemical and haematological indices, biometric parameters, and histopathological changes were assessed at the end of the experiment. The experimental groups showed significantly lower values in MCH (P < 0.05). In biochemical indices, after 23-day exposure, a significant decrease in glucose, cholesterol (P < 0.05), and ammonia (P < 0.01) was recorded in the experimental group compared to the control group. Our assessment showed no significant changes in biometric parameters. The histopathological examination revealed disorders in the caudal kidney of the exposed fish. The obtained data show the sensitivity of rainbow trout (O. mykiss) to deoxynivalenol.
Interdisciplinary Toxicology | 2011
Ivana Haluzova; Helena Modra; Jana Blahova; Marcela Havelková; Zuzana Siroka; Zdeňka Svobodová
Biochemical markers of contamination in fish toxicity tests Markers of xenobiotic metabolization (cytochrome P450, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase) were investigated in the liver of the common carp Cyprinus carpio after 28-day exposure to different pesticide formulations. The fish exposed to herbicide Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin 700 g/kg) of 0.25 and 2.5 mg/l showed no change in cytochrome P450 and activity of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase when compared to control. Successor 600 (pethoxamid 600 g/l) of 0.06; 0.22 and 0.60 mg/l did not affect either cytochrome P450 or the activity of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase. However, in fish exposed to Successor 600 of 0.22 and 0.60 mg/l, there was a rise in glutathione and in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (p<0.05), with Spearmans correlation r = 0.23 at p<0.05. Spartakus (prochloraz 450 g/l) of 0.36 and 1.08 mg/l induced cytochrome P450 and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (p<0.05), with Spearmans correlation r = 0.49 at p<0.01. Glutathione increased in fish exposed to 1.08 mg/l (p<0.05), the activity of glutathione-Stransferase rose (p<0.05) in all concentrations tested (0.108; 0.36 and 1.08 mg/l). Spearmans correlation between glutathione and GST was r = 0.38; p<0.01). The obtained data contribute to a better understanding of detoxification of the selected xenobitics in fish. Although biomarkers of the first phase of metabolization are considered to be more sensitive, our results indicate higher sensitivity of the second phase biomarkers.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry | 2010
Jana Blahova; Marcela Havelková; Kamila Kružíková; Klára Hilscherová; Roman Halouzka; Helena Modra; Roman Grabic; Jarmila Halířová; Jana Jurcikova; Tomáš Ocelka; Danka Haruštiaková; Zdeňka Svobodová
The aim of the present study is to assess aquatic ecosystem contamination using selected biochemical markers: cytochrome P450, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), tripeptide glutathione, vitellogenin, and 11-ketotestosterone in chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.). Seven locations on the Svitava and Svratka rivers (in the Brno conurbation, Czech Republic) were assessed. The results were compared with the levels of the most important inductors of these biomarkers: organic pollutants hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), DDT and its metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bottom sediment, fish muscle, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and metals in sediment. The highest levels of pollutants were observed at sites situated downstream from Brno, especially at Modrice and Rajhradice. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) were found between EROD activity and HCH concentration in SPMDs, and also between GST and EROD activity with HCB concentration in muscle, after adjusting for age.
BioMed Research International | 2014
Andrea Slaninova; Helena Modra; Martin Hostovsky; Eliška ŠiŠperová; Jana Blahova; Iveta Matejova; Monika Vicenova; Martin Faldyna; Lenka Zelnickova; Frantisek Tichy; Zdenka Svobodova
DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the most common active ingredient in the insect repellents commonly detected in European groundwater. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subchronic DEET exposure on biochemical and haematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase, and the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Two specific proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes were selected to assess an immunological status of the fish. Fish were exposed for 28 days to three concentrations of DEET (1.0 µg/L, 0.1 mg/L, and 1.0 mg/L) where 1 µg/L is corresponding to the concentration found in the environment. DEET had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on increased RBC, decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin value (MCH) compared to control groups in the concentration of 1 mg/L. A significant decline (P < 0.05) in triacylglycerols (TAG) in plasma was found in the concentration of 1 mg/L compared to the control groups. The parameters of oxidative stress in tissues of common carp were weekly affected and immunological parameters were not affected.
Fish & Shellfish Immunology | 2017
Iveta Matejova; Martin Faldyna; Helena Modra; Jana Blahova; Miroslava Palíková; Zdenka Markova; Ales Franc; Monika Vicenova; Libor Vojtek; Jana Bartonkova; Pavla Sehonova; Martin Hostovsky; Zdenka Svobodova
ABSTRACT The T‐2 toxin, a fungal metabolite produced by Fusarium molds, occurs in a range of agriculture products. Reduced availability of fish meal has led to increasing use of cereals as a source of protein in commercial aquaculture feeds, which has increased the potential for mycotoxin contamination. The purpose of this study was to investigate toxicity of T‐2 toxin intake in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) using haematological, biochemical and immunological parameters and oxidative stress indices. In a four‐week feeding trial, fish were fed a commercial diet with 5.3 mg/kg T‐2 toxin added. Ingestion of contaminated diet did not lead to mortality of fish, probably due to lower feed intake. On the other hand, it significantly affected haematological variables such as haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell counts leading to anemia and white blood cell counts leading to leukopenia due to lymphopenia. Plasma glucose concentration and alanine amino transferase activity showed a significant increase while triglycerides concentration decreased. Activity of ceruloplasmin was significantly decreased in plasma. Further, liver glutathione S‐transferase activity was significantly increased and catalase activity decreased, in parallel with a significant increase in caudal kidney catalase activity and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity. Finally, lipid peroxidation (detected as malondialdehyde) was significantly increased in the liver and caudal kidney. Changes in non‐specific immune response and cytokine levels in head kidney indicated immune system sensitivity to T‐2 toxin. Overall, the results demonstrate that this feed‐borne mycotoxin is able to induce anaemia and oxidative stress and cause changes in the immune response of common carp. HIGHLIGHTSThe aim of the study was to investigate toxicity of T‐2 toxin intake in common carp.Feeding trial led to changes in haematological and biochemical parameter.Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the liver and caudal kidney.Exposition to T2 led to changes in non‐specific immune response.Exposition to T2 led to changes in mRNA expression for selected cytokines.
Veterinarni Medicina | 2016
Marie Sevcikova; Helena Modra; Jana Blahova; R. Dobsikova; Lucie Plhalova; O. Zitka; D. Hynek; R. Kizek; M. Skoric; Zdenka Svobodova
The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of copper-based pesticides (at concen - trations of copper of 20, 30, 40 and 70 µg/l) on one-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) during 28 days of exposure. Abnormal behaviour was observed in fish exposed to 70 µg/l from Day 14. Histological alterations were noticed only in liver in the groups exposed to 40 and 70 µg/l. Significant changes (P ˂ 0.05) in almost all haema- tological indices were found, especially in the group exposed to the highest concentration of copper (70 µg/l).
Veterinarni Medicina | 2016
Iveta Matejova; Monika Vicenova; Libor Vojtek; Hana Kudlackova; Kateřina Nedbalcová; Martin Faldyna; Eliška ŠiŠperová; Helena Modra; Zdeňka Svobodová
515 Veterinarni Medicina, 60 , 2015 (9): 515–521 Original Paper doi: 10.17221/8443-VETMED Effect of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on the immune responses of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) I. Matejova 1,2 , M. Vicenova 2 , L. Vojtek 3 , H. Kudlackova 2 , K. Nedbalcova 2 , M. Faldyna 2 , E. Sisperova 1 , H. Modra 1 , Z. Svobodova 1 1 University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic 2 Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic 3 Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic ABSTRACT : The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is commonly found as a natural contaminant in cereals such as wheat, barley, and corn, and exhibits various toxicological effects when present in animal feeds. The effects of DON at a nominal 2 mg/kg feed on immune responses of rainbow trout were investigated, includ - ing relative gene expression of important cytokines (TNF-alfa, IL-8, IL-1beta, IL-10), lysozyme concentration in skin mucus, and level of antigen-specific IgM in blood plasma after vaccination with the commercial vaccine AquaVac ERM containing Yersinia ruckeri type 1 (Hagerman strain). Twenty one-year-old rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were randomly divided into two groups. The control received a commercial feed with a naturally occurring low level of DON (225 ug /kg feed), while an experimental group was fed the same formulation with DON added to 1964 ug /kg feed. The trial continued for 23 days. Consumption of feed with added DON showed a significant effect on the immune system, as indicated by a higher level of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alfa ( P < 0.05) and of IL-8 (non-significant) in head kidney. Expression of the pro-inflammatory gene IL-1beta and the expression of a gene encoding anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) were not influenced by DON treatment. Effects on the concentration of skin mucus lysozyme and specific IgM antibody levels were not observed during this experiment. These results suggest that prolonged ingestion of low doses of DON may influence the immune responses of rainbow trout.
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University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno
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