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. 2023 Nov 15;24(22):16369.
doi: 10.3390/ijms242216369.

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in the Heart, Liver, and Kidney of Bat Species with Different Feeding Habits

Francielly Dias Pereira  1   2 , Diego Antonio Mena Canata  1   2 , Tiago Boeira Salomon  1 , Fernanda Schäfer Hackenhaar  3 , María João Ramos Pereira  4 , Mara Silveira Benfato  1   2 , Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto  5   6
Affiliations

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in the Heart, Liver, and Kidney of Bat Species with Different Feeding Habits

Francielly Dias Pereira et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the oxidative metabolism of four neotropical bat species with different feeding habits and investigate the relationship between their feeding habits and oxidative status. In terms of oxidative damage, our findings revealed major differences among the four bat species. In particular, hematophagous bats had lower levels of oxidative damage in the heart but higher levels in the liver. Nectarivorous bats had lower levels of carbonyl groups in the kidneys compared to insectivorous and hematophagous bats. The activity of various antioxidant and non-antioxidant enzymes in the heart, liver, and kidney also showed significant differences among the bat species. H2O2 consumption was lower in the heart of hematophagous bats, while insectivorous bats exhibited the highest enzymatic activity in the kidney. SOD activity was lower in the heart of hematophagous bats and lower in nectarivorous bats in the liver. Fumarase activity was higher in the heart of frugivorous/insectivorous and lower in nectarivorous/hematophagous bats. GPx activity was higher in the heart of nectarivorous/insectivorous and higher in the kidney of insectivorous bats. GST activity was higher in the heart of nectarivorous and lower in hematophagous bats. The correlation analysis between oxidative markers and enzymatic/non-enzymatic antioxidants in the heart, liver, and kidney exhibited distinct patterns of correlations due to variations in antioxidant defense mechanisms and oxidative stress responses in different organs. The observed differences in oxidative damage, antioxidant enzyme activities, and correlations between oxidative markers and antioxidants highlight the adaptability and complexity of the antioxidant defense systems in these bats. Each organ appears to have specific demands and adaptations to cope with oxidative stress based on its physiological functions and exposure to dietary components. Our results have major significance for the conservation and management of bats, which are threatened species despite being crucial components of ecosystems. Our study's implications go beyond bat biology and offer valuable insights into comparative oxidative physiology.

Keywords: animal nutrition; diet; frugivorous; hematophagous; insectivorous; nectarivorous; oxidative stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Levels of oxidative damage markers measured in the heart, liver, and kidney of nectarivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous bats. Data are presented as the median (interquartile range). Different letters indicate statistical differences among species (p < 0.05). The same letters correspond to no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The exact p-value of each analysis is presented in Table S1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The activity of antioxidant enzymes measured in the heart, liver, and kidney of nectarivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous bats. (A) H2O2 consumption; (B) Superoxide dismutase; (C) Fumarase; (D) Glutathione peroxidase (E) Glutathione S-transferase. Data are presented as the median (interquartile range). Different letters indicate statistical differences among species (p < 0.05). The same letters correspond to no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The exact p-value of each analysis is presented in Table S2.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants measured in the heart, liver, and kidney of nectarivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous bats. (A) Total Glutathione; (B) Oxidized Glutathione; (C) Reduced Glutathione; (D) GSSG/GSH; (E) Nitrites and Nitrates. Data are presented as the median (interquartile range). Different letters indicate statistical differences among species (p < 0.05). The same letters correspond to no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The exact p-value of each analysis is presented in Table S3.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Principal component analysis of oxidative markers and (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) antioxidants measured in the heart, liver, and kidney of nectarivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous bats. Numbers in blue indicate samples. (A) Heart; (B) liver; (C) kidney.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Graphical Spearman’s correlation matrix of oxidative markers and (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) antioxidants measured in this study. (A) Heart; (B) liver; (C) kidney. Positive correlation (from white to blue); negative correlation (from white to red). Only significant correlations are presented (p < 0.05). The exact p-value of each correlation is presented in Table S7 (heart), Table S8 (liver), and Table S9 (kidney). The circle size represents the correlation coefficient. H2O2↓ means hydrogen peroxide consumption.
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