Selenium Supplementation Changes the Ion Profile in the Pancreas of Chickens Treated with Cadmium

Tissue Bioaccumulation and Toxicopathological Effects of Cadmium and Its Dietary Amelioration in Poultry-a Review

Cadmium (Cd) has been recognized as one of the most toxic heavy metals, which is continuously discharged into environments through anthropogenic (industrial activities, fertilizer production, and waste disposal) and natural sources with anthropogenic sources contributing greater than the natural sources. Therefore, Cd concentration sometimes increases in feeds, fodders, water bodies, and tissues of livestock including poultry in the vicinity of the industrial areas, which causes metabolic, structural, and functional changes of different organs of all animals. In poultry, bioaccumulation of Cd occurs in several organs mainly in the liver, kidney, lung, and reproductive organs due to its continuous exposure. Intake of Cd reduces growth and egg laying performance and feed conversion efficiency in poultry. Chronic exposure of Cd at low doses can also alter the microscopic structures of tissues, particularly in the liver, kidney, brain, pancreas, intestine, and reproductive organs due to increased content of Cd in these tissues. Continuous Cd exposure causes increased oxidative stress at cellular levels due to over-production of reactive oxygen species, exhausting antioxidant defense mechanisms. This leads to disruption of biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acid, protein and lipid, and subsequently apoptosis, cell damage, and necrotic cell death. The histopatholocal changes in the liver, kidneys, and other organs are adversely reflected in hemogram and serum biochemical and enzyme activities. The present review discusses about Cd bioaccumulation and histopathological alterations in different tissues, pathogenesis of Cd toxicity, blood-biochemical changes, and its different ameliorative measures in poultry.

Selenium-Dependent Antioxidant Enzymes: Actions and Properties of Selenoproteins

Unlike other essential trace elements that interact with proteins in the form of cofactors, selenium (Se) becomes co-translationally incorporated into the polypeptide chain as part of 21st naturally occurring amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec), encoded by the UGA codon. Any protein that includes Sec in its polypeptide chain is defined as selenoprotein. Members of the selenoproteins family exert various functions and their synthesis depends on specific cofactors and on dietary Se. The Se intake in productive animals such as chickens affect nutrient utilization, production performances, antioxidative status and responses of the immune system. Although several functions of selenoproteins are unknown, many disorders are related to alterations in selenoprotein expression or activity. Selenium insufficiency and polymorphisms or mutations in selenoproteins' genes and synthesis cofactors are involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, immune dysfunctions, cancer, muscle and bone disorders, endocrine functions and neurological disorders. Finally, heavy metal poisoning decreases mRNA levels of selenoproteins and increases mRNA levels of inflammatory factors, underlying the antagonistic effect of Se. This review is an update on Se dependent antioxidant enzymes, presenting the current state of the art and is focusing on results obtained mainly in chicken.

Antagonistic effects of selenium on cadmium-induced apoptosis by restoring the mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium and energy metabolism in chicken spleens

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of cadmium-induced apoptosis in chicken spleens and the antagonistic effects of selenium. We duplicated the selenium-cadmium interaction model and examined the expression of apoptosis-, immune-, mitochondrial dynamics- and energy metabolism-related genes. The results demonstrated that after treatment with cadmium, the frequency of apoptosis was significantly increased, and the morphological characteristics of apoptosis were observed. The expression of pro-apoptotic genes was increased, and that of anti-apoptotic genes was decreased. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interlenkin-1β were observably increased, but the interlenkin-2 and interferon-γ levels were markedly decreased. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of dynamin-related protein 1 and mitochondrial fission factor were significantly enhanced, whereas mitofusin 1, mitofusin 2, and optic atrophy 1 were markedly decreased. The expression of hexokinase 1, hexokinase 2, aconitase 2, lactate dehydrogenase A, lactate dehydrogenase B, succinatedehydrogenase B, pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase were also reduced. Selenium supplements remarkably attenuated cadmium-induced effects (p < 0.05). Based on the above results, conclude that the cadmium treatment promoted a mitochondrial dynamic imbalance and reduced energy metabolism, leading to apoptosis and immune dysfunction in chicken spleens, and selenium had an antagonistic effect on Cd-induced apoptosis.