Abstract
Alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) was evaluated in this study for its molecular mechanisms against liver oxidative damage and inflammatory responses induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Birds were randomly allocated into four groups with different diets for three weeks: a basal diet, a 300 mg/kg α-LA supplementation in a basal diet, a diet containing 74 μg/kg AFB1, and 300 mg/kg α-LA supplementation in a diet containing 74 μg/kg AFB1. In the AFB1 group, the expression of GSH-PX mRNA was down-regulated (p < 0.05), and the levels of lipid peroxide and nitric oxide were increased (p < 0.05) in the chicken livers compared to those of the control group. Additionally, the mRNA level of the pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-6 was up-regulated significantly (p < 0.05), the protein expressions of both the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and the inducible nitric oxide synthase were enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) in the AFB1 group. All of these negative effects were inhibited by α-LA. These results indicate that α-LA may be effective in preventing hepatic oxidative stress, down-regulating the expression of hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as inhibiting NF-κB expression.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are a group of secondary fungal metabolites that occur widely in natural contaminants of many feeds and foods under conditions of high humidity and temperature, and are potentially hazardous to animal and human health
The expression levels of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD2), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX ), glutathione S transferase alpha (GSTα), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA in the livers of all four groups were evaluated by RT qPCR (Figure 1)
These findings suggest that both increased lipid peroxidation and impaired antioxidant system function are closely associated with liver injury, and α-LA protects liver tissue from oxidative damage caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)
Summary
Mycotoxins are a group of secondary fungal metabolites that occur widely in natural contaminants of many feeds and foods under conditions of high humidity and temperature, and are potentially hazardous to animal and human health. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ), a naturally occurring mycotoxin, is a potent teratogenic, mutagenic, immunotoxic, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic agent [1]. AFB1 significantly constrains the development of animal husbandry and poses a health risk to people, even leading to hepatocellular carcinoma due to its mutagenic effect. Aflatoxin-contaminated animal products (such as animal tissues, milk, and eggs) can lead to the transfer of toxins through the food chain and affect human health. AFB1 has raised concerns globally due to its substantial risk to the market economy as well as human public health
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