Safety assessment of lepidopteran insect-protected transgenic rice with <Emphasis Type="Italic">cry2A*</Emphasis> gene

Numerous genetically modified (GM) crops expressing proteins for insect resistance have been commercialized following extensive testing demonstrating that the foods obtained from them are as safe as that obtained from their corresponding non-GM varieties. In this paper, we report the outcome of safety studies conducted on a newly developed insect-resistant GM rice expressing the cry2A* gene by a subchronic oral toxicity study on rats. GM rice and non-GM rice were incorporated into the diet at levels of 30, 50, and 70 % (w/w), No treatment-related adverse or toxic effects were observed based on an examination of the daily clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum biochemistry, and organ weight or based on gross and histopathological examination. These results demonstrate that the GM rice with cry2A* gene is as safe for food as conventional non-GM rice.     

抗虫耐除草剂玉米GH5112E-117C定性PCR检测方法

转基因抗虫耐除草剂玉米GH5112E-117C是由北京奥瑞金公司研发的转mG2-aroA基因和mcry1Ah基因抗虫耐除草剂玉米新品系,对玉米螟、粘虫等鳞翅目害虫具有抗性、耐草甘膦除草剂的转基因玉米,在我国具有重要产业化应用前景。本文研发了GH5112E-117C转基因玉米的定性PCR检测方法,该方法能特异性地检测转基因抗虫耐除草剂玉米GH5112E-117C,在每个反应引物浓度为0.2 μmol/L、Taq DNA 聚合酶0.625 U、DNA模板50 ng,退火温度为58℃的条件下,检测灵敏度可稳定达到0.1%。该方法为转基因抗虫耐除草剂玉米GH5112E-117C的精准检测提供了一种新的技术手段,为农业转基因监管提供技术支撑。     

Maize hybrids derived from GM positive and negative segregant inbreds are compositionally equivalent: any observed differences are associated with conventional backcrossing practices

In this study, we show that compositional differences in grain harvested from genetically modified (GM) maize hybrids derived from near-isogenic trait-positive and trait-negative segregant inbreds are more likely related to backcrossing practices than to the GM trait. To demonstrate this, four paired GM trait-positive (NK603: herbicide tolerance) and trait-negative near-isogenic inbred male lines were generated. These were crossed with two different females (testers) to create a series of trait-positive and trait-negative hybrid variants. The hypothesis was, that compositional variation within the hybrid variants would reflect differences associated with backcrossing practices and provide context to any observed differences between GM and non-GM hybrids. The F₁ hybrids, as well as corresponding conventional comparator hybrids, were grown concurrently at four field sites across the United States during the 2013 season. Grain was harvested for compositional analysis; proximates (protein, starch, and oil), amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, tocopherols (α-, δ-, γ-), β-carotene, phytic acid, and raffinose were measured. Statistical analysis showed that within each hybrid tester set, there were very few significant (p < 0.05) differences between the paired trait-positive and trait-negative hybrids or between the conventional comparators and the trait-positive or trait-negative hybrids. Assessments of the magnitudes of differences and variance component analysis highlighted that growing location, and the tester used in hybrid formation, had a markedly greater effect on composition than did the GM trait. Significantly, for each tester set, compositional differences within the trait-positive and trait-negative hybrid variants were greater than differences between the GM and non-GM comparators. Overall, GM trait insertion is not intrinsically a meaningful contributor to compositional variation, and observed differences between GM and non-GM comparators typically reflect incidental changes associated with conventional breeding practices. These results contribute to ongoing discussions on the relevance of negative segregants as comparators in GM assessments.     

Effect of feeding genetically modified Bt MON810 maize to ∼40-day-old pigs for 110 days on growth and health indicators

A total of 72 male weaned pigs were used in a 110-day study to investigate the effect of feeding genetically modified (GM) Bt MON810 maize on selected growth and health indicators. It was hypothesised that in pigs fed Bt maize, growth and health are not impacted compared with pigs fed isogenic maize-based diets. Following a 12-day basal period, pigs (10.7 ± 1.9 kg body weight (BW); ∼40 days old) were blocked by weight and ancestry and randomly assigned to treatments: (1) non-GM maize diet for 110 days (non-GM), (2) GM maize diet for 110 days (GM), (3) non-GM maize diet for 30 days followed by GM maize diet up to day 110 (non-GM/GM) and (4) GM maize diet for 30 days followed by non-GM maize diet up to day 110 (GM/non-GM). BW and daily feed intake were recorded on days 0, 30, 60 and 110 (n = 15). Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (n = 10) on day 80. Following slaughter on day 110, organs and intestines were weighed and sampled for histological analysis and urine was collected for biochemical analysis (n = 10). Serum biochemistry analysis was performed on days 0, 30, 60, 100 and 110. Growth performance and serum biochemistry were analysed as repeated measures with time and treatment as main factors. The slice option of SAS was used to determine treatment differences at individual time points. There was no effect of feeding GM maize on overall growth, body composition, organ and intestinal weight and histology or serum biochemistry on days 60 and 100 and on urine biochemistry on day 110. A treatment × time interaction was observed for serum urea (SU; P < 0.05), creatinine (SC; P < 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; P < 0.05). On day 30, SU was lower for the non-GM/GM treatment compared with the non-GM, GM and GM/non-GM treatments (P < 0.05). On day 110, SC was higher for the non-GM/GM and GM/non-GM treatments compared with non-GM and GM treatments (P < 0.05). Overall, serum total protein was lower for the GM/non-GM treatment compared with the non-GM/GM treatment (P < 0.05). The magnitude of change observed in some serum biochemical parameters did not indicate organ dysfunction and the changes were not accompanied by histological lesions. Long-term feeding of GM maize to pigs did not adversely affect growth or the selected health indicators investigated.     

Behavioral Comparisons of Ingestion and Excretion by Selected Species of Pentatomids: Evidence of Feeding on Different Food Sources Supports Pest Status

Laboratory studies were conducted on food ingestion and excretion by selected species of pentatomids on different food sources to support their pest status. We compared the frequency and time of feeding on vegetative (stem) and reproductive (seed) structures of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill and of maize, Zea mays L. by Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), and Edessa meditabunda (F.); in addition, the amount of excreta (feces) produced were compared for D. melacanthus feeding on seed of soybean and stem of maize seedling. The feeding behavior of E. meditabunda and P. guildinii on soybean, and of D. melacanthus on maize was recorded using the electropenetrography (EPG) technique. Excretion was estimated using water sensitive paper recording number and area of fecal drops. Results indicated that E. meditabunda on soybean stem repeated events of ingestion (both xylem and phloem sap) over four times per bug during the 8 h of recording for ca. 53 min per event. Dichelops melacanthus on maize seedling repeated each ingestion event over three times per bug for ca. 24 min per event. Piezodorus guildinii feeding on soybean stem repeated each ingestion 1.2 times per bug for ca. 40 min per event; on seed endosperm, it fed for a longer time, ca. 80 min per event, each event repeated only 0.5 times per bug. Number of excretory drops was higher (9.9 drops per bug) when D. melacanthus fed on maize seedling than on soybean seed (1.4 drops per bug). A larger amount of saliva/regurgitate liquid food was expelled when bugs fed on the former than on the later food.     

Role of bacterial pyrroloquinoline quinone in phosphate solubilizing ability and in plant growth promotion on strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia</Emphasis> sp. S119

The aim of this study was to analyze if cofactor pyrroquinoline quinone from Serratia sp. S119 is involved in the inorganic phosphate solubilization mechanism and in its ability to promote the plant growth. Site directed mutagenesis was performed to obtain a pqqE- minus mutant of strain Serratia sp. S119. The phosphate solubilization ability, gluconate and PQQ production of the mutant Serratia sp. RSL (pqqE-) was analyzed. Mutant RSL (pqqE-) showed significant decrease in P soluble and gluconic acid levels produced and undetectable levels of PQQ cofactor compared with wild-type strain. Complementation with synthetic PQQ cofactor restored P solubilization and gluconate production reaching the levels produced by wild-type strain. PqqE gene sequence indicated that it is highly conserved within Serratia strains and its product shows conserved motifs found in other PqqE proteins of several bacteria. The effect of the inoculation of the PQQ- mutant on peanut and maize plants was evaluated in pot assays. Plants growth parameters showed no differences among the different treatments indicating that PQQ from Serratia sp. S119 is not involved in the growth promotion of these plants. PQQ cofactor is essential for phosphate solubilization ability of Serratia sp. S119 but is not required for growth promotion of peanut and maize plants.     

Sequence-Based Analysis of the Intestinal Microbiota of Sows and Their Offspring Fed Genetically Modified Maize Expressing a Truncated Form of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab Protein (Bt Maize)

The aim was to investigate transgenerational effects of feeding genetically modified (GM) maize expressing a truncated form of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab protein (Bt maize) to sows and their offspring on maternal and offspring intestinal microbiota. Sows were assigned to either non-GM or GM maize dietary treatments during gestation and lactation. At weaning, offspring were assigned within sow treatment to non-GM or GM maize diets for 115 days, as follows: (i) non-GM maize-fed sow/non-GM maize-fed offspring (non-GM/non-GM), (ii) non-GM maize-fed sow/GM maize-fed offspring (non-GM/GM), (iii) GM maize-fed sow/non-GM maize-fed offspring (GM/non-GM), and (iv) GM maize-fed sow/GM maize-fed offspring (GM/GM). Offspring of GM maize-fed sows had higher counts of fecal total anaerobes and Enterobacteriaceae at days 70 and 100 postweaning, respectively. At day 115 postweaning, GM/non-GM offspring had lower ileal Enterobacteriaceae counts than non-GM/non-GM or GM/GM offspring and lower ileal total anaerobes than pigs on the other treatments. GM maize-fed offspring also had higher ileal total anaerobe counts than non-GM maize-fed offspring, and cecal total anaerobes were lower in non-GM/GM and GM/non-GM offspring than in those from the non-GM/non-GM treatment. The only differences observed for major bacterial phyla using 16S rRNA gene sequencing were that fecal Proteobacteria were less abundant in GM maize-fed sows prior to farrowing and in offspring at weaning, with fecal Firmicutes more abundant in offspring. While other differences occurred, they were not observed consistently in offspring, were mostly encountered for low-abundance, low-frequency bacterial taxa, and were not associated with pathology. Therefore, their biological relevance is questionable. This confirms the lack of adverse effects of GM maize on the intestinal microbiota of pigs, even following transgenerational consumption.     

Impact of gene stacking on gene flow: the case of maize

To respect the European labelling threshold for the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed, stakeholders mainly rely on real-time PCR analysis, which provides a measurement expressed as a percentage of GM-DNA. However, this measurement veils the complexity of gene flow, especially in the case of gene stacking. We have investigated the impact of gene stacking on adventitious GM presence due to pollen flow and seed admixture as well as its translation in terms of the percentage of GM-DNA in a non-GM maize harvest. In the case of varieties bearing one to four stacked events, we established a set of relationships between the percentage of GM kernels and the percentage of GM-DNA in a non-GM harvest as well as a set of relationships between the rate of seed admixture and the percentages of GM material in a non-GM harvest. Thanks to these relationships, and based on simulations with a gene flow model, we have been able to demonstrate that the number of events and the stacking structure of the emitting fields impact the ability of a non-GM maize producer to comply with given GM kernel or GM-DNA thresholds. We also show that a great variability in the rates of GM kernels, embryos and DNA results from seed admixture. Finally, the choice of a unit of measurement for a GM threshold in seed lots can have opposite effects on the ability of farmers to comply with a given threshold depending on whether they are crop or seed producers.     

Development of a multiplex fluorescence quantitative PCR for detection of genetically modified organisms

The commercially available genetically modified plants authorized worldwide and therefore the target sequences for molecular detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are ever-increasing. The European Union has implemented a set of very strict procedures for approval to grow, import and/or utilize GMOs as food or food ingredients. As a result, GMO laboratories and food production industry currently are forced to apply different methods to test raw material and complex processed food products. Three exogenous genes (the 35 s promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus (35 s), nos terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (nos), and the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene) are commonly used in GMO detection. In this paper, a multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) system was developed which allows simultaneously detection of the three exogenous genes in one reaction tube. The determined limits for the multiplex qPCR assays were 4 copies/reaction in maize samples. The specificity of the assays was demonstrated to be 100% according to the detection results of 23 genetically modified (GM) crops and 97 complex processed food products. The validation data show the individual PCR efficiency was accredited with negligible impacts between three detection channels in 7500 fluorescence quantitative PCR machine. These results indicate that this high-throughput multiplex qPCR method which combined with a reference gene is feasible for screening of GMOs, even for the processed food.     

Revealing physiological and genetic properties of a dominant maize dwarf <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dwarf11</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">D11</Emphasis>) by integrative analysis

Plant height is an important agronomic trait involved in lodging resistance and harvest index. The identification and characterization of mutants that are defective in plant height have implications for trait improvement in breeding programs. Two dominant maize dwarf mutants D8 and D9 have been well-characterized. Here, we report the characterization of a dominant maize dwarf mutant Dwarf11 (D11). Dwarf stature of D11 was mainly attributed to the inhibition of longitudinal cell elongation. The levels of bioactive GA₃ were significantly lower in D11. Contrarily, D8 mutant accumulates markedly higher levels of GA₃. The expression of GA biosynthetic and catabolic genes was dramatically decreased in D11. Expression variations of d8 and d9 genes were not observed in D11 mutant. Moreover, genetic suppressors of D11 were identified in inbred line Chang 7-2. Integrated omics data indicated that D11 is a novel dominant maize dwarf. The ultimate D11 gene cloning and its regulatory network elucidation may strengthen our understanding of the genetic basis of plant architecture and provide cues for breeding of crops with plant height ideotypes.     

Safety of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas chlororaphis</Emphasis> as a gene source for genetically modified crops

Genetically modified crops undergo extensive evaluation to characterize their food, feed and environmental safety prior to commercial introduction, using a well-established, science-based assessment framework. One component of the safety assessment includes an evaluation of each introduced trait, including its source organism, for potential adverse pathogenic, toxic and allergenic effects. Several Pseudomonas species have a history of safe use in agriculture and certain species represent a source of genes with insecticidal properties. The ipd072Aa gene from P. chlororaphis encodes the IPD072Aa protein, which confers protection against certain coleopteran pests when expressed in maize plants. P. chlororaphis is ubiquitous in the environment, lacks known toxic or allergenic properties, and has a history of safe use in agriculture and in food and feed crops. This information supports, in part, the safety assessment of potential traits, such as IPD072Aa, that are derived from this source organism.     

Reproductive tables of predatory phytoseiid mites (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoseiulus persimilis,Galendromus occidentalis</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoseiulus cucumeris</Emphasis>)

Feeding of predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis, Galendromus occidentalis, and Neoseiulus cucumeris) on different life stages of Tetranychus atlanticus under optimal conditions was studied. Daily and total consumption of prey by predators and selection of prey of different life stages were studied for 5 days and for the entire feeding period. Average daily food consumption [number of individuals] for the entire life period of mature mite females constituted 0.43 females + 5.0 [nymphs and males] + 3.4 eggs of Tetranychus atlanticus in P. persimilis; 0.12 females + 3.70 [nymphs and males] + 3.10 eggs in G. occidentalis; and 0.19 females + 4.10 [nymphs and males] + 3.50 eggs in N. cucumeris. During the entire period of feeding, P. persimilis preferred large individuals and at the postembryonic stages selected prey to a greater extent than G. occidentalis and N. cucumeris (61.8 and 55.1%, respectively). The use of a 5-day express-method is possible for estimation of some biological characteristics of phytoseiids that previously consumed the same food for a long period. In other cases, analysis of characteristics for the entire life period is necessary.     

Molecular characteristics of two new <Emphasis Type="Italic">waxy</Emphasis> mutations in China waxy maize

The waxy gene mutation causes waxy maize grain to have a sticky quality. China has numerous waxy maize landraces and is thought to be the place of origin of waxy maize. The most abundant waxy maize resources in China are located in the Yunnan province and its surrounding areas. We collected 57 waxy maize landraces from Yunnan province and cloned and sequenced the waxy gene from its fourth to eighth exon. Two new waxy gene mutations, named wx-Cin4 and wx-124, were identified. The wx-Cin4 mutation is a 466-bp retrotransposon inserted into exon six. The wx-124 mutation is a 116-bp miniature inverted-repeat transposable element inserted into exon seven. This is the first time a 124-type mutation has been found in a maize waxy gene. The discovery of the two specific waxy mutations from landraces collected in Yunnan province provides new evidence supporting the hypothesis that China is the origin area for waxy maize.     

Molecular phylogeny of a green microalga isolated from White Sea sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halichondria panicea</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1766)

Molecular identification of eukaryotic microalga 1Hp86E-2 isolated from White Sea sponge Halichondria panicea (Pallas, 1766) was conducted, and phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the nucleotide sequence of 18S rRNA gene (GenBank, no. JX437624). Isolated microalga was classified to the genus Desmodesmus. Microalga 1Hp86E-2 proved to be closely related to the algae Desmodesmus sp. 3Dp86E-1, Desmodesmus sp. 2C166E, and Desmodesmus sp. 1Pm66B isolated from White Sea invertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these closely related organisms belong to a monophyletic group.     

Variability of CP4 EPSPS expression in genetically engineered soybean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine ma</Emphasis>x L. Merrill)

The expression of the CP4 EPSPS protein in genetically engineered (GE) soybean confers tolerance to the Roundup^® family of agricultural herbicides. This study evaluated the variability of CP4 EPSPS expression using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in soybean tissues collected across diverse germplasm and 74 different environments in Argentina, Brazil and the USA. Evaluated material included single and combined (stacked) trait products with other GE traits in entries with cp4 epsps gene at one or two loci. The highest level of CP4 EPSPS was observed in leaf tissues, intermediate in forage and seed, and lowest in root tissues. Varieties with two loci had approximately twice the level of CP4 EPSPS expression compared to one locus entries. Variable and non-directional level of CP4 EPSPS was observed with other factors like genetic background, trait stacking, growing region or season. The maximum and average CP4 EPSPS expression levels in seed provided large margins of exposure (MOE of approximately 4000 and 11,000, respectively), mitigating concerns over exposure to this protein in food and feed from soybean varieties tolerant to Roundup^® herbicides.     

Map-based cloning and functional analysis of the chromogen gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis> in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

The chromogen gene C is critical for anthocyanin regulation in rice, and apiculus color is an important agronomic trait in selective breeding and variety purification. Mapbased cloning and in-depth functional analysis of the C gene will be useful for understanding the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis and for rice breeding. Japonica landrace Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH) has red apiculi and purple stigmas. Genetic analysis showed that red apiculus and purple stigma in LTH co-segregated indicating control by a single dominant gene, or by two completely linked genes. Using 1,851 recessive individuals from two F₂ populations, the target gene OsC was delimited to a 70.8 kb interval on chromosome 6 that contains the rice homologue of the maize anthocyanin regulatory gene C1. When the entire OsC gene and its full-length cDNA cloned from LTH were transformed into japonica cultivar Kitaake with colorless apiculi and stigmas all positive transformants had red apiculi but non-colored stigmas, validating that OsC alone was responsible for the apiculus color and represented the functional C gene. OsC was constitutively expressed in all tissues examined, with strongest expression in leaf blades. These results set a foundation to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of OsC in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway.     

Effects of a diet containing genetically modified rice expressing the Cry1Ab/1Ac protein (Bacillus thuringiensis toxin) on broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rice expressing the Cry1Ab/1Ac protein on broiler chicken. The genetically modified (GM) Bt rice was compared with the corresponding non-GM rice regarding performance of feeding groups, their health status, relative organ weights, biochemical serum parameters and occurrence of Cry1Ab/1Ac gene fragments. One hundred and eighty day-old Arbor Acres female broilers with the same health condition were randomly allocated to the two treatments (6 replicate cages with 15 broilers in each cage per treatment). They received diets containing GM rice (GM group) or its parental non-GM rice (non-GM group) at 52–57% of the air-dried diet for 42 days. The results show that the transgenic rice had a similar nutrient composition as the non-GM rice and had no adverse effects on chicken growth, biochemical serum parameters and necropsy during the 42-day feeding period. In birds fed the GM rice, no transgenic gene fragments were detected in the samples of blood, liver, kidneys, spleen, jejunum, ileum, duodenum and muscle tissue. In conclusion, the results suggest that Bt rice expressing Cry1Ab/1Ac protein has no adverse effects on broiler chicken. Therefore, it can be considered as safe and used as feed source for broiler chicken.     

Distribution and linkage disequilibrium analysis of polymorphisms of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GH1</Emphasis> gene in different populations of pigs associated with body size

Growth hormone (GH) has been considered as a candidate gene for growth and body size in pigs. In this study, polymorphisms of the GH1 gene were evaluated for associations with body size traits in 190 pig individuals. Seventeen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in GH1 gene of the large pig breeds and miniature pig breeds using direct sequencing and genotyped by allele-specific PCR approach. Notably, six (g.237A>G, g.283T>C, g.309A>G, g.318A>G, g.540A>G and g.544A>G) of them were significantly associated with body size, of which three loci (g.283T>C, g.309A>G, g.318A>G) located in the signal-peptide coding region of GH1 gene compose a CGG haplotype for large pigs and TAA haplotype for miniature pigs (P< 0.001), two loci (g.540A>G and g.544A>G) located in the second intron of GH1 gene compose a GG haplotype for large pigs and AA haplotype for miniature pigs (P< 0.001). Our results demonstrate that these SNPs in GH1 gene are associated with the body size of pigs providing genetic basis for pig breeding with the improved economic benefits.     

Effect of colchicine-induced polyploidy on morphological characteristics and essential oil composition of ajowan (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachyspermum ammi</Emphasis> L.)

Cyclophilins (CYPs) belong to the immunophilin superfamily, having the peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase activity that can catalyze the cis/trans isomerisation process of proline residues. Previous studies have shown their importance in plants, but no comprehensive analysis of maize CYP family has been reported. In the present study, a whole-genome-wide analysis of maize CYP family was performed and 39 ZmCYP genes (ZmCYP1 to ZmCYP39) were identified from maize genome, which were unequally distributed on maize ten chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a weak relationship among these ZmCYP genes. Furthermore, their gene structure and motif patterns also displayed variant within the gene family. Four segmental and one tandem duplicated gene pairs were found from 39 ZmCYP genes, respectively, indicating their roles in the expansion of maize CYP family. Expression analysis of 39 ZmCYP genes in maize tissues showed their differential tissue specific expression patterns. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of 19 selected ZmCYP genes under salinity stress indicated their stress-inducible expression profile. Heterologous expression of ZmCYP15 in E. coli enhanced tolerance against abiotic stress. Subcellular localization analysis indicated ZmCYP15 was located in nucleus and cytoplasm. Our study describes the importance of the maize CYP gene family in stress response, and provides a reference for future study and application for maize genetic improvement.     

Aluminum Chloride Causes the Dysfunction of Testes Through Inhibiting the ATPase Enzyme Activities and Gonadotropin Receptor Expression in Rats

Lead, one of the most harmful heavy metals, can cause various hazardous effects on living organisms. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antagonistic and protective effects of two economically important laver species, Pyropia yezoensis and P. haitanensis, against subchronic lead poisoning in rats by a 30-day feeding test. Sixty-four healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups with eight rats (4♂ + 4♀) per group, among which, one group was served as the control, the others were respectively treated with lead acetate (5 mg/kg b w), and a combination of lead acetate and P. yezoensis or P. haitanensis at different dosages. Weight gain of rats was observed and recorded. Changes in antioxidant indexes, and liver and renal function markers were determined to evaluate the antagonistic effect. Lead content in rats was determined to investigate lead excretion effect of laver. The results showed that exposure to lead caused lead accumulation in kidney and liver, thus leading to significant oxidative damage and impaired liver and renal function compared to the control group. The co-treatment of laver slightly increased body weight compared to the lead-treated group. The co-administration of laver restored liver and renal function of rats by preventing the increment in the activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate transaminase (AST), and the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). The increasing of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and lowering of the enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of rats were observed in the laver co-treated groups, which indicated that laver enhanced the antioxidative capacity of rats. The laver also enhanced lead content in feces and reduced it in liver and kidney. The results indicated that P. yezoensis and P. haitanensis could maintain or promote the normal physiological and biochemical function of lead-induced subchronic poisoning of rats, probably owing to their enhancements of antioxidant capacity and lead excretion.