LAUSR

Abstract Arsenic (As) contamination in water bodies has adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Zinc (Zn), as an important enzyme cofactor and efficient reactive oxygen species scavenger, plays an indispensable role in cellular homeostasis and biological functions. However, there has been less investigation on As Zn interaction in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). We hypothesize that Zn is a candidate for the treatment and prevention of arsenism. In general, feed efficiency, growth performance and organ indices did not significantly differ between the As or/and Zn group and the control groups (p > 0.05). However, arsenite significantly altered the intestinal morphological features and suppressed intestinal tight junction proteins (claudins, occluding, and zonula occludens) as indicated by mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and organic 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), inflammatory (nuclear factor kappa-B and pro-inflammatory cytokines) and detoxification parameters (metallothionein) in intestine and liver increased following arsenite exposure (p