Lycopene alleviates aflatoxin B1 induced liver damage through inhibiting cytochrome 450 isozymes and improving detoxification and antioxidant systems in broiler chickens

Abstract

The effects of lycopene on liver damage in Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-challenged broilers were investigated. A total of 240 Arbour Acres Broilers in five groups were fed basal diet (control), basal diet with 100 μg/kg AFB1 (AFB1), AFB1 diet with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg lycopene (AL1, AL2, and AL3), respectively. Broilers in AFB1 group had higher hepatic activities of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) than the control group (P < .05). The hepatic concentrations of AFB1-8,9-epoxide-DNA adduct (AFBO-DNA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), protein carbonyl (PC) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were higher in AFB1 group than the control group (P < .05). In lycopene supplementation groups, the activities of CYP1A1 and CYP2A6, and the concentrations of AFBO-DNA, ROS, MDA, and 8-OHdG were lower than AFB1 group (P < .05). The 4-HNE and PC concentrations in AL2 and AL3 groups were lower than AFB1 group (P < .05). Compared to the control group, broilers in the AFB1 group had reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and decreased activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutamine-cysteine ligase (GCL), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < .05). Whereas the GSH concentration in AL2 group, the GST activity in AL1 and AL3 groups, the GCL and CAT activities in AL1 group, and GPx activity in AL1, AL2, and AL3 groups were higher than AFB1 group (P < .05). Therefore, lycopene alleviated AFB1-induced liver damage possibly through inhibiting cytochrome P450 isozymes and improving detoxification and antioxidant systems in broilers. HIGHLIGHTS Dietary lycopene alleviated liver damage induced by aflatoxin B1 in broilers. Lycopene inhibited crucial cytochrome 450 isozymes involved in aflatoxin B1 bioactivation. Lycopene increased detoxification and antioxidant ability in aflatoxin B1 exposed broilers.