Histological and biochemical effects of microbially derived single-cell oil on the intestine of male rats

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Directorate of Education of Anbar, Anbar Governorate, Ramadi, Iraq.

2 College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq.

Abstract

Objective
This investigation targeted to consider the reactions of microbially derived single-cell oil (SCO) from Alcote microorganisms on the histological and biochemical profiles of the small and large intestines in male albino rats. Special emphasis was placed on the dose-dependent reactions of SCO on oxidative stress biomarkers (H₂O₂) and antioxidant defense enzymes, containing glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The objective was to identify whether SCO supplementation performs beneficial antioxidant reactions or incites oxidative destruction depending on the managed dose.

Materials and Methods
Twenty-four healthy male Sprague–Dawley rats, aged 9–11 weeks and weighing 180–200 g, were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 6). Group I acted as the control and obtained corn oil (2 mL/kg), while Groups II, III, and IV were managed SCO orally at doses of 2, 4, and 8 mL/kg, respectively. Treatments were given via oral gavage every 48 hours for 45 days. Serum levels of H₂O₂, SOD, and GPx were calculated applying colorimetric assay kits after anesthesia. Sections of the duodenum and colon were fixed in neutral-buffered formalin, paraffin-embedded, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation.
Results
Moderate SCO supplementation (4 mL/kg) meaningfully decreased H₂O₂ levels while by growing GPx and SOD activities in comparison to the control group, indicating increased antioxidant defense. Conversely, a high SCO dose (8 mL/kg) markedly elevated H₂O₂ levels and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, proposing oxidative stress induction. Histopathological outcomes supported these biochemical outcomes: rats given treatment with 2 and 4 mL/kg of SCO exhibited normal duodenal and colonic architecture similar to controls, whereas those receiving 8 mL/kg revealed vascular wall thickening, leukocytic infiltration, fibrosis, and villous degeneration. These outcomes demonstrate that SCO performs dose-dependent reactions, being protective at moderate doses but deleterious at high doses.

Conclusion
Microbially derived SCO exhibits dual, dose-dependent reactions on intestinal health. At moderate doses, it raises antioxidant status and holds normal intestinal histology, emphasizing its potential as a functional dietary supplement. But excessive doses incite oxidative stress and tissue destruction, emphasizing the necessity of dosage optimization for the safe and effective use of SCO in nutritional or therapeutic utilizations.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 17, Issue 4
November 2025
Pages 363-380

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