High carbohydrate diet induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress, promoted inflammation and apoptosis, impaired intestinal barrier of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Abstract This study assessed the effects of feed carbohydrate content on intestinal physical barrier and immunity in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Triplicate groups of juvenile fish (4.1 ± 0.2 g) were fed low (LCD, 7%), medium (MCD, 12%) and high (HCD, 17%) carbohydrate diets for eight weeks. Gut histology revealed the slight infiltration of inflammatory cells and moderate loss of mucous membrane layer in HCD group. Expression of ZO1, occluding, and claudin7 genes and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene were significantly decreased in HCD group indicating the impairment of tight junction and epithelial cell regeneration. The results showed the significant (P