Expression analysis of IFN-γ, MX1, MX2, MX3 and HSP70 genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) administrated with green tea (Camellia sinensis)

In the present study, the effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on some antivirus-related gene expressions including IFN-γ, MX1, MX2, MX3 and HSP70 were evaluated in rainbow trout. One hundred and twenty fish (mean weight 23.5 ± 2.5 g) in four groups were fed on diets containing 0, 20, 100 and 500 mg kg-1 for 35 days. Results showed that green tea at 500 mg kg-1 enhanced IFN-γ gene expression in the kidney and liver whereas 20 and 100 mg kg-1 green tea upregulated IFN-γ transcription in spleen tissue. All doses of green tea upregulated MX1 transcription in the liver, while MX1 gene expression was upregulated in the spleen of fish received 100 and 500 mg kg-1 green tea. MX2 gene expression was upregulated in the kidney of high dose of green tea and spleen of all doses of green tea. In fish received green tea at 100 and 500 mg kg-1, MX3 gene expression in the kidney tissue was upregulated. In fish fed 100 and 500 mg kg-1 green tea, upregulation of HSP70 gene in kidney were shown. The present study suggests that green tea especially at higher doses may effectively modulate the expression of some genes related to antiviral activity in rainbow trout.