الفهرس 
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Abstract
Vitamin C-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (vitamin C- loaded CSNPs) are a promising candidate for increasing vitamin C bioavailability and stability via encapsulation or active loading of vitamin C. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of vitamin C - loaded CSNPs on the apparently healthy and cadmium intoxicated African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with special reference to hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress biomarkers and immunological parameters. Feeding of catfish on vitamin C - loaded CSNPs ≈ 43.7 nm (500 mg vitamin C and 1000 mg chitosan/ Kg feed) supplemented diet for 9 successive weeks induced significant leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis in the apparently healthy catfish. Hepatic and renal function parameters remained unchanged in catfish fed on vitamin C - loaded CSNP when compared to control group. Vitamin C - loaded CSNPs significantly increase serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of catfish. Significant increase in lymphocyte transformation (LTA) and serum lysozyme activity (SLA) also recorded on the 9th week of the experiment. Intoxication of catfish with cadmium at dose of 10 ppm induced significant hematological changes such as anemia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Cadmium induced significant reduction in serum total proteins, albumin and globulins, while it increased the activities of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, uric acid, creatinine, urea and glucose levels. Significant decrease in serum TAC with significant increase in MDA level were noticed in cadmium intoxicated catfish. Moreover, a significant decrease in LTA and SLA were observed. Cadmium also induced histopathological alteration in various parenchymatous organs. Concomitant administration of vitamin C - loaded CSNPs with cadmium alleviated the induced alterations. The obtained results suggested that vitamin C - loaded CSNPs is a potent antioxidant and immunostimulant that is capable to protect Clarias gariepinus against cadmium induced toxicity.