Pten-Mediated Antioxidant Response Alleviates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage in Tilapia Muscle

The mechanisms underlying hydrogen peroxide (HP)-induced oxidative stress damage in the muscle of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) remain poorly understood. In this study, an oxidative stress model was established through 2 mM HP exposure for 4 weeks to elucidate the effects of oxidative stress on tilapia muscle and regulatory mechanisms. The results demonstrated that prolonged oxidative stress inhibited the antioxidant response in tilapia muscle and significantly reduced body weight. Concurrently, oxidative stress downregulated the gene expression of muscle proliferation and development, leading to a loss of muscle mass and the deterioration of muscle texture. Furthermore, oxidative stress altered muscle cell fate and exacerbated inflammatory responses. Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that Pten played a critical regulatory role in the muscle antioxidant response and growth. Mechanistically, activation of Pten ameliorated antioxidant capacity and promoted cell proliferation. In conclusion, HP-mediated oxidative stress significantly inhibited muscle proliferation and development, while targeted regulation of Pten effectively alleviated the suppression of muscle antioxidant capacity and cell proliferation. This study provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of oxidative stress injury in tilapia aquaculture.