Effect of antioxidants on lysozyme and complement activities in heat-stressed rabbits

Abstract

The negative influence of heat stress (HS) on rabbit farms cannot be ignored. The current study aims to detect the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOE), Vitamin C (Vit C) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on HS-induced changes in the complement, lysozyme, and antioxidant activities. A total of 45 growing male NZW rabbits were divided into five groups: Negative control rabbits were not exposed to HS (group 1), while HS groups (2-5) were exposed to high temperatures (39?). Group 2 was exposed to HS but non-treated while the rest of groups were treated with MOE, Vit C and NaHCO3, respectively. Expression of lysozyme mRNA, as well as the activities of lysozyme, complement and antioxidants, were assayed. Serum IL-1β was also assayed using ELISA. Furthermore, the histopathological changes of liver and kidney, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), body weight gain (BWG), and mortality rate of experimental animals, were investigated. Our data showed a decrease in lysozyme, antioxidant activities, and BWG versus increases in complement activity, IL-1β level, and BUN in HS. Histological investigation showed an increase in inflammatory reactions. MOE, Vit C and NaHCO3 could alleviate HS effects through increased activities of lysozyme and antioxidants versus decreased complement activity leading to improved health status.