Effects of dietary selenium on histopathological changes and T cells of spleen in broilers exposed to aflatoxin B1.

Jing Fang,Zhicai Zuo,Hengmin Cui,Xi Peng,Weimin Lai,Junliang Deng,Li Tang,Yi Geng,Zhengli Chen,Qingqiu Yang,Kejie Chen

doi:10.3390/ijerph110201904

Jing Fang, Zhicai Zuo + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110201904

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Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which causes hepatocellular carcinoma and immune-suppression, is commonly found in feedstuffs. To evaluate the ability of selenium (Se) to counteract the deleterious effects of AFB1, two hundred 1-day-old male avian broilers, divided into five groups, were fed with basal diet (control group), 0.3 mg/kg AFB1 (AFB1 group), 0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.2 mg/kg Se (+Se group I), 0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.4 mg/kg Se (+Se group II) and 0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.6 mg/kg Se (+Se group III), respectively. Compared with control group, the relative weight of spleen in the AFB1 group was decreased at 21 days of age. The relative weight of spleen in the three +Se groups was higher than that in the AFB1 group. By pathological observation, the major spleen lesions included congestion in red pulp and vacuoles appeared in the lymphatic nodules and periarterial lymphatic sheath in the AFB1 group. In +Se groups II and III, the incidence of major splenic lesions was decreased. The percentages of CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells in the AFB1 group were lower than those in control group from 7 to 21 days of age, while there was a marked increase in the three +Se groups compared to the AFB1 group. The results indicated that sodium selenite could improve the cellular immune function impaired by AFB1 through increasing the relative weight of spleen and percentages of splenic T cell subsets, and alleviating histopathological spleen damage.

Highlights

Aflatoxins are one type of mycotoxin, which are fungal secondary metabolites in food
Se incorporates into immune-important organs, such as the spleen and lymph nodes [7], and selenium compounds regulate the function of neutrophils, NK cells, B lymphocytes, and T cells [8]
Two hundred 1-day-old healthy male avian broilers were obtained from a commercial rearing farm (Wenjiang Poultry Farm, Sichuan Province, China) and divided into five groups fed on diets as follows: control group, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) group (0.3 mg/kg AFB1), +Se group I (0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.2 mg/kg Se), +Se group II

Summary

Introduction

Aflatoxins are one type of mycotoxin, which are fungal secondary metabolites in food. Doses as low as 15-30 μg/kg can cause responses in poultry, known to be extremely sensitive to the toxic effects of AFB1 [2]. Several approaches have indicated that many adsorbents are capable of binding aflatoxins and preventing or reducing their detrimental effects on animals [6]. Selenium (Se), as an essential trace nutrient for animals and humans, has multiple roles in biological systems. The importance of selenium in the optimal functioning of the immune system has been well established. Se incorporates into immune-important organs, such as the spleen and lymph nodes [7], and selenium compounds regulate the function of neutrophils, NK cells, B lymphocytes, and T cells [8]

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