Curcumin protects against Aflatoxin B1-induced liver injury in broilers via the modulation of long non-coding RNA expression

Advances and challenges of exosome-derived noncoding RNAs for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and treatment

Exosomes, also termed extracellular vesicles (EVs), are an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and exert versatile effects on the molecular communications in the TME of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Exosome-mediated intercellular communication is closely associated with the tumorigenesis and development of HCC. Exosomes can be extracted through ultracentrifugation and size exclusion, followed by molecular analysis through sequencing. Increasing studies have confirmed the important roles of exosome-derived ncRNAs in HCC, including tumorigenesis, progression, immune escape, and treatment resistance. Due to the protective membrane structure of exosomes, the ncRNAs carried by exosomes can evade degradation by enzymes in body fluids and maintain good expression stability. Thus, exosome-derived ncRNAs are highly suitable as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of HCC, such as exosomal miR-21-5p, miR-221-3p and lncRNA-ATB. In addition, substantial studies revealed that the up-or down-regulation of exosome-derived ncRNAs had an important impact on HCC progression and response to treatment. Exosomal biomarkers, such as miR-23a, lncRNA DLX6-AS1, miR-21-5p, lncRNA TUC339, lncRNA HMMR-AS1 and hsa_circ_0004658, can reshape immune microenvironment by regulating M2-type macrophage polarization and then promote HCC development. Therefore, by controlling exosome biogenesis and modulating exosomal ncRNA levels, HCC may be inhibited or eliminated. In this current review, we summarized the recent findings on the role of exosomes in HCC progression and analyzed the relationship between exosome-derived ncRNAs and HCC diagnosis and treatment.

Curcumin alleviates Aflatoxin B1-triggered chicken liver necroptosis by targeting the LOC769044/miR-1679/STAT1 axis

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an unavoidable environmental toxin. The accumulation of AFB1 and its metabolites in the liver poses a threat to both human and animal health. Curcumin exhibits anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. There is no report on the mechanism regarding how curcumin relived liver necroptosis in chickens induced by AFB1 based on the regulatory network of ceRNA. To explore this, we performed transmission electron microscopy and sequenced lncRNA and mRNA in chicken livers treated with AFB1 and/or curcumin for 28 d in vivo. We observed substantial alterations in the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles within the chicken liver, indicating that curcumin can mitigate AFB1-induced necroptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Further analysis, including the establishment of an lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and the utilization of a dual luciferase reporter assay, revealed that LOC769044 acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-1679. In addition, STAT1 was identified as a direct target of miR-1679. Modulating miR-1679 levels through overexpression, and silencing LOC769044 and STAT1, effectively reversed the necroptotic effects induced by AFB1, a reversal that was also observed with curcumin supplementation. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that curcumin alleviates AFB1-induced liver necroptosis through the LOC769044/miR-1679/STAT1 signaling axis. This study suggests that LOC769044 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for managing AFB1-mediated liver toxicity.

AFB1 Toxicity in Human Food and Animal Feed Consumption: A Review of Experimental Treatments and Preventive Measures

AIMS

The current review aims to outline and summarize the latest research on aflatoxin, with research studies describing natural, herbal and chemical compound applications in animal (pig) models and in vitro cellular studies. Aflatoxin, a carcinogenic toxin metabolite, is produced by Aspergillus flavus in humid environments, posing a threat to human health and crop production. The current treatment involves the prevention of exposure to aflatoxin and counteracting its harmful toxic effects, enabling survival and research studies on an antidote for aflatoxin.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize current research prospects and to outline the influence of aflatoxin on animal forage in farm production, food and crop processing. The research application of remedies to treat aflatoxin is undergoing development to pinpoint biochemical pathways responsible for aflatoxin effects transmission and actions of treatment.

SIGNIFICANCE

To underline the environmental stress of aflatoxin on meat and dairy products; to describe clinical syndromes associated with aflatoxicosis on human health that are counteracted with proposed treatment and preventive interventions. To understand how to improve the health of farm animals with feed conditions.

Unrevealing the therapeutic potential of artesunate against emerging zoonotic Babesia microti infection in the murine model

Babesiosis, a zoonotic blood protozoal disease, threatens humans and animals and is difficult to treat due to growing antimicrobial resistance. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of artesunate (AS), a well-known derivative of artemisinin, against Babesia microti (B. microti) using a murine infection model. Male BALB/c mice (6 weeks old; 15 per group) were chosen and randomly divided into 1) the control group, 2) the B. microti group, and 3) the B. microti + artesunate treatment groups. AS treatment at 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, and 8 mg/kg of body weight significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the B. microti load in blood smears in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, AS treatment mitigated the decrease in body weight and restored the normal state of the liver and spleen viscera index compared to the B. microti-infected group after 28 days. Hematological analysis revealed significant increases in RBC, WBC, and PLT counts post-AS treatment compared to the B. microti-infected group. Furthermore, AS administration resulted in significant reductions in total protein, bilirubin, ALT, AST, and ALP levels, along with reduced liver and spleen inflammation and lesions as observed through histopathological analysis. AS also elicited dose-dependent changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptotic, proinflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the liver compared to the control and B. microti-infected groups. Immunolabeling revealed decreased expression of apoptotic and inflammation-related proteins in AS-treated hepatic cytoplasm compared to the B. microti-infected group. AS also in dose-dependent manner decreased apoptotic protein and increased Bcl-2. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of AS as an anti-parasitic candidate in combating B. microti pathogenesis in an in vivo infection model, suggesting its promise for clinical trials as a treatment for babesiosis.

Lycopene as a Therapeutic Agent against Aflatoxin B1-Related Toxicity: Mechanistic Insights and Future Directions

Aflatoxin (AFT) contamination poses a significant global public health and safety concern, prompting widespread apprehension. Of the various AFTs, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) stands out for its pronounced toxicity and its association with a spectrum of chronic ailments, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Lycopene, a lipid-soluble natural carotenoid, has emerged as a potential mitigator of the deleterious effects induced by AFB1 exposure, spanning cardiac injury, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, intestinal damage, and reproductive impairment. This protective mechanism operates by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid peroxidation, and activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, facilitating the activation of mitochondrial biogenesis, the endogenous antioxidant system, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1) pathways, as well as regulating the activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. This review provides an overview of the protective effects of lycopene against AFB1 exposure-induced toxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, it explores the safety profile and potential clinical applications of lycopene. The present review underscores lycopene's potential as a promising detoxification agent against AFB1 exposure, with the intent to stimulate further research and practical utilization in this domain.

Therapeutic detoxification of quercetin for aflatoxin B1-related toxicity: Roles of oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic enzymes

Aflatoxins (AFTs), a type of mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus, could be detected in food, feed, Chinese herbal medicine, grain crops and poses a great threat to public health security. Among them, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic one. Exposure to AFB1 poses various health risks to both humans and animals, including the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The molecular mechanisms underlying these risks are intricate and dependent on specific contexts. This review primarily focuses on summarizing the protective effects of quercetin, a natural phenolic compound, in mitigating the toxic effects induced by AFB1 in both in vitro experiments and animal models. Additionally, the review explores the molecular mechanisms that underlie these protective effects. Quercetin has been demonstrated to not only have the direct inhibitory action on the production of AFTs from Aspergillus, both also possess potent ameliorative effects against AFB1-induced cytotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. These effects are attributed to the inhibition of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and inflammatory response. It could also directly target several metabolic enzymes (i.e., CYP3As and GSTA1) to reduce the production of toxic metabolites of AFB1 within cells, then reduce AFB1-induced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, this review highlights quercetin is a promising detoxification agent for AFB1. By advancing our understanding of the protective mechanisms offered by quercetin, we aim to contribute to the development of effective detoxification agents against AFB1, ultimately promoting better health outcomes.

Curcumin Mitigates Oxidative Damage in Broiler Liver and Ileum Caused by Aflatoxin B1-Contaminated Feed through Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

This experiment aimed to investigate the mitigating effect of CUR on the growth performance and liver and intestinal health of broilers fed AFB1-contaminated diets. In this study, 320 one-day-old healthy male Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly divided into four groups, including the Control group (fed the basal diet), the AFB1 group (fed the AFB1-contaminated diet containing 1 mg/kg AFB1), the AFB1+CUR group (fed the AFB1-contaminated diet with 500 mg/kg CUR), and the CUR group (fed the basal diet containing 500 mg/kg CUR), with eight replicates of ten animals per group and a 28 d experimental period. In terms of the growth performance, the addition of 500 mg/kg CUR significantly improved AFB1-induced significant reductions in the final body weight on day 28 and mean daily gain (p < 0.05) and increased the ratio of the mean daily feed intake to mean daily weight gain in broilers (p < 0.05). In terms of liver health, significant improvements in liver histological lesions occurred in broilers in the AFB1+CUR group compared to the AFB1 group, with significantly higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities (p < 0.05) and significantly higher levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) gene expression (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal health, CUR addition significantly increased the relative length of ileum (p < 0.05), significantly elevated the height of ileal villi (p < 0.05), significantly reduced D-Lactate (D-LA) and diamine oxidase (DAO) activities in broiler serum (p < 0.05), significantly increased GSH, CAT, and T-SOD activities in ileal tissues (p < 0.05), and significantly elevated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 genes (p < 0.05) compared to the AFB1 group. In conclusion, CUR showed a protective effect against damage to the liver and intestine caused by AFB1 in broilers through the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby improving the growth performance of broilers exposed to AFB1.

Curcumin and analogues in mitigating liver injury and disease consequences: From molecular mechanisms to clinical perspectives

BACKGROUND

Liver injury is a prevalent global health concern, impacting a substantial number of individuals and leading to elevated mortality rates and socioeconomic burdens. Traditional primary treatment options encounter resource constraints and high costs, prompting exploration of alternative adjunct therapies, such as phytotherapy. Curcumin demonstrates significant therapeutic potential across various medical conditions, particularly emerging as a promising candidate for liver injury treatment.

PURPOSE

This study aims to provide current evidence maps of curcumin and its analogs in the context of liver injury, covering aspects of biosafety, toxicology, and clinical trials. Importantly, it seeks to summarize the intricate mechanisms modulated by curcumin.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase up to July 2023. Titles and abstracts were reviewed to identify studies that met our eligibility criteria. The screening process involved three authors independently assessing the potential of curcumin mitigating liver injury and its disease consequences by reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts.

RESULTS

Curcumin and its analogs have demonstrated low toxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, the limited bioavailability has hindered their advanced use in liver injury. This limitation can potentially be addressed by nano-curcumin and emerging drug delivery systems. Curcumin plays a role in alleviating liver injury by modulating the antioxidant system, as well as cellular and molecular pathways. The specific mechanisms involve multiple pathways, such as NF-κB, p38/MAPK, and JAK2/STAT3, and the pro-apoptosis Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 axis in damaged cells. Additionally, curcumin targets nutritional metabolism, regulating the substance in liver cells and tissues. The microenvironment associated with liver injury, like extracellular matrix and immune cells and factors, is also regulated by curcumin. Initial evaluation of curcumin and its analogs through 12 clinical trials demonstrates their potential application in liver injury.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin emerges as a promising phytomedicine for liver injury owing to its effectiveness in hepatoprotection and low toxicity profile. Nevertheless, in-depth investigations are warranted to unravel the complex mechanisms through which curcumin influences liver tissues and overall physiological milieu. Moreover, extensive clinical trials are essential to determine optimal curcumin dosage forms, maximizing its benefits and achieving favorable clinical outcomes.

Transcriptome and proteomics conjoint analysis reveal anti-alcoholic liver injury effect of Dianhong Black Tea volatile substances

Dianhong Black Tea, a fermented tea containing various bioactive ingredients, has been found to have a significant role in alleviating alcoholic liver injury (ALI). One of its main unique components, Dianhong Black Tea volatile substances (DBTVS), may have potential anti-ALI effects. However, its effects and underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of DBTVS as an anti-ALI agent using alcohol-fed rats. We assessed the effect of DBTVS on ALI by analyzing serum transaminase and lipid levels, as well as conducting hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O staining. Additionally, GC-MS was used to detect the components of DBTVS, while transcriptome, proteomics analysis, Western blot, and molecular docking were employed to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that DBTVS significantly reduced serum ALT and AST levels and improved lipid metabolism disorders. Moreover, we identified 14 components in DBTVS, with five of them exhibiting strong binding affinity with key proteins. These findings suggested that DBTVS could be a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of ALI. Its potential therapeutic effects may be attributed to its ability to regulate lipid metabolism through the PPAR signaling pathway.

Turmeric Powder Counteracts Oxidative Stress and Reduces AFB1 Content in the Liver of Broilers Exposed to the EU Maximum Levels of the Mycotoxin

The most frequent adverse effects of AFB1 in chicken are low performance, the depression of the immune system, and a reduced quality of both eggs and meat, leading to economic losses. Since oxidative stress plays a major role in AFB1 toxicity, natural products are increasingly being used as an alternative to mineral binders to tackle AFB1 toxicosis in farm animals. In this study, an in vivo trial was performed by exposing broilers for 10 days to AFB1 at dietary concentrations approaching the maximum limits set by the EU (0.02 mg/kg feed) in the presence or absence of turmeric powder (TP) (included in the feed at 400 mg/kg). The aims were to evaluate (i) the effects of AFB1 on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant parameters, histology, and the expression of drug transporters and biotransformation enzymes in the liver; (ii) the hepatic accumulation of AFB1 and its main metabolites (assessed using an in-house-validated HPLC-FLD method); (iii) the possible modulation of the above parameters elicited by TP. Broilers exposed to AFB1 alone displayed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in the liver, which was completely reverted by the concomitant administration of TP. Although no changes in glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were detected in any treatment group, AFB1 significantly upregulated and downregulated the mRNA expression of CYP2A6 and Nrf2, respectively. TP counteracted such negative effects and increased the hepatic gene expression of selected antioxidant enzymes (i.e., CAT and SOD2) and drug transporters (i.e., ABCG2), which were further enhanced in combination with AFB1. Moreover, both AFB1 and TP increased the mRNA levels of ABCC2 and ABCG2 in the duodenum. The latter changes might be implicated in the decrease in hepatic AFB1 to undetectable levels ( Collapse

Key Words

• aflatoxin B1
• chicken
• curcumin
• drug transporters
• drug-metabolizing enzymes
• liver
• oxidative stress
• turmeric powder

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MESH Headings

• Animals
• Antioxidants/pharmacology
• Antioxidants/metabolism
• Chickens/metabolism
• Curcuma/metabolism
• Powders/metabolism
• Powders/pharmacology
• Mycotoxins/metabolism
• Aflatoxin B1/metabolism
• Liver
• Oxidative Stress
• RNA, Messenger/metabolism

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Grants

• 678781 European Union

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Affiliation(s)

Neenu Amminikutty Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Veronica Spalenza Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Watanya Jarriyawattanachaikul Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Paola Badino Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Maria Teresa Capucchio Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Elena Colombino Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Achille Schiavone Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Donato Greco Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Italian National Research Council, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.G.); (V.D.); (G.A.)
Vito D’Ascanio Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Italian National Research Council, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.G.); (V.D.); (G.A.)
Giuseppina Avantaggiato Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Italian National Research Council, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.G.); (V.D.); (G.A.)
Sihem Dabbou Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy;
Carlo Nebbia Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)
Flavia Girolami Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy; (N.A.); (V.S.); (W.J.); (P.B.); (M.T.C.); (E.C.); (A.S.); (F.G.)

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Dietary curcumin supplementation alleviates diquat-induced oxidative stress in the liver of broilers

This study purposed to investigate the alleviating effect of dietary curcumin supplementation on oxidative stress in the liver of broilers induced by diquat. One-day-old Cobb broilers (400) were selected and randomly divided into 5 groups, with 8 replicates and 10 broilers per replicate. The control group and the diquat group were fed the basal diet, while the curcumin supplementation groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with different amounts of curcumin (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg). On d 21 of the test, 1 broiler was randomly selected from each replicate and intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg/mL of diquat solution at a dose of 1 mL/kg BW or equivalent physiological saline (for the control group). After 48 h of feeding, the selected broilers were slaughtered for analysis. The results show that diquat treatment reduced the antioxidant capacity of the liver, caused oxidative stress, and affected its lipid metabolism. However, diet supplementation using curcumin completely or partially reversed the effect of diquat on the liver of broilers. The blood alanine aminotransferase activity, total bilirubin and total protein levels, and liver Caspase-3 mRNA abundance in broilers were lower or significantly lower in the curcumin supplementation group than in the diquat group (P < 0.05). The curcumin supplementation groups had significantly higher total antioxidant capacity activity but significantly lower malondialdehyde in the liver of broilers than the diquat group (P < 0.05). The blood triglyceride level of broilers was lower or significantly lower in the curcumin supplementation groups than in the diquat group (P < 0.05). The activities of cetyl coenzyme A carboxylase in the liver were significantly lower in the 150 mg/kg curcumin supplementation groups than in the DQ group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary curcumin supplementation could ameliorate the effects of diquat-induced oxidative stress on the antioxidant capacity, tissue morphology, and lipid metabolism of the liver of broilers, thus protecting the liver. The recommended dosage for broiler diets is 100 to 150 mg/kg curcumin.

Curcumin as a Potential Antioxidant in Stress Regulation of Terrestrial, Avian, and Aquatic Animals: A Review

Stress has brought about a variety of harmful impacts on different animals, leading to difficulties in the management of animal husbandry and aquaculture. Curcumin has been recognized as a potential component to ameliorate the adverse influence of animal stress induced by toxicity, inflammation, diseases, thermal effect, and so on. In detail, this compound is known to offer various outstanding functions, including antibacterial properties, antioxidant effects, immune response recovery, and behavioral restoration of animals under stress conditions. However, curcumin still has some limitations, owing to its low bioavailability. This review summarizes the latest updates on the regulatory effects of curcumin in terms of stress management in terrestrial, avian, and aquatic animals.

Pathological Role of Oxidative Stress in Aflatoxin-Induced Toxicity in Different Experimental Models and Protective Effect of Phytochemicals: A Review

Aflatoxin B1 is a secondary metabolite with a potentially devastating effect in causing liver damage in broiler chickens, and this is mainly facilitated through the generation of oxidative stress and malonaldehyde build-up. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in controlling the invasion of aflatoxins. Phytochemicals are some of the commonly used molecules endowed with potential therapeutic effects to ameliorate aflatoxin, by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species and enhancing intracellular antioxidant enzymes. Experimental models involving cell cultures and broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin or contaminated diet have been used to investigate the ameliorative effects of phytochemicals against aflatoxin toxicity. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were used to identify relevant data sources. The retrieved information reported on the link between aflatoxin B1-included cytotoxicity and the ameliorative potential/role of phytochemicals in chickens. Importantly, retrieved data showed that phytochemicals may potentially protect against aflatoxin B1-induced cytotoxicity by ameliorating oxidative stress and enhancing intracellular antioxidants. Preclinical data indicate that activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), together with its downstream antioxidant genes, may be a potential therapeutic mechanism by which phytochemicals neutralize oxidative stress. This highlights the need for more research to determine whether phytochemicals can be considered a useful therapeutic intervention in controlling mycotoxins to improve broiler health and productivity.

Deoxynivalenol: Emerging Toxic Mechanisms and Control Strategies, Current and Future Perspectives

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most frequently present mycotoxin contaminant in food and feed, causing a variety of toxic effects in humans and animals. Currently, a series of mechanisms involved in DON toxicity have been identified. In addition to the activation of oxidative stress and the MAPK signaling pathway, DON can activate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, which further regulates reactive oxygen species production and cancer cell apoptosis. Noncoding RNA and signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin, FOXO, and TLR4/NF-κB also participate in DON toxicity. The intestinal microbiota and the brain-gut axis play a crucial role in DON-induced growth inhibition. In view of the synergistic toxic effect of DON and other mycotoxins, strategies to detect DON and control it biologically and the development of enzymes for the biodegradation of various mycotoxins and their introduction in the market are the current and future research hotspots.

Mitigating the adverse effects of Aflatoxin B1 in LMH, IPEC-J2 and 3D4/21 cells by a novel integrated agent

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of TOXO-XL (XL), an integrated mycotoxin-mitigating agent, on aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-induced damage in Leghorn male hepatoma (LMH), porcine jejunum epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) and porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/21) cells, and to explore its potential mechanisms. The results showed that 30% inhibition concentration (IC₃₀) of AFB₁ in LMH, IPEC-J2 and 3D4/21 cells was 0.5, 15.0, and 2.5 mg/L, respectively. Notably, cell viability, ROS, apoptosis and DNA lesion induced by AFB₁ (IC₃₀) could be ameliorated by the supplementation with XL at the dosage of 0.025, 0.025 and 0.005%, respectively. Additionally, the migration and phagocytosis abilities impaired by AFB₁ were also restored by XL in 3D4/21. Further experiments revealed that XL supplementation markedly attenuated AFB₁-induced inflammatory response by decreasing IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in LMH, IL-6 in IPEC-J2 and IL-1β in 3D4/21 cells. Meanwhile, XL supplementation reversed the alterations of BAX, BCL-2 and caspase-3 induced by AFB₁ in the three cells, suggesting that AFB₁-induced apoptosis may be suppressed via the mitochondria-dependent pathway. Furthermore, XL may have a protective effect on the intestinal barrier through the restoration of occludin protein. Conclusively, these findings indicated that XL could alleviate AFB₁-induced cytotoxicity in the three cells, potentially through the regulation of cytokines, ROS, apoptotic and DNA damage signaling.

Protective role of curcumin on broiler liver by modulating aflatoxin B1-induced DNA methylation and CYPs expression

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of epigenetic DNA methylation and CYPs expression in AFB1-exposed broiler liver and the protective effect of curcumin. Sixty-four one-day-old AA broilers were randomly divided into four groups, including control group, AFB1 group (1 mg/kg AFB1), curcumin + AFB1 group (1 mg/kg curcumin) and curcumin group (300 mg/kg curcumin). Histological observation, CYP450 enzyme activities, the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases and CYP450 enzymes, and the overall DNA methylation level in broiler liver were investigated. Dietary AFB1 was found to induce severe liver injury in broilers, upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of CYP450 enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4) and the enzyme activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. According to HPLC, qPCR and western blot analyses, the overall DNA methylation level and the mRNA and protein expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) in the liver were significantly increased after AFB1 exposure. Importantly, the Pearson test and correlation analysis data revealed that the overall DNA methylation level of broiler liver was positively correlated with DNMTs, while CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 were negatively correlated. Surprisingly, curcumin supplementation strongly ameliorated AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity by restoring the histological changes, decreasing the expression and enzymatic activity of liver CYP450 enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4), and increasing the overall DNA methylation level and the expression of DNMTs. Taken together, we concluded that curcumin could protect against AFB1-induced liver injury by mediating the effects of DNA methylation and CYPs expression.

Proteomic analysis of ITPR2 as a new therapeutic target for curcumin protection against AFB1-induced pyroptosis

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is extremely carcinogenic and can cause liver cancer in humans and animals with continued ingestion. As a natural compound, curcumin (Cur) exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties with few side effects. In this study, a total of 60 male mice (6-week-olds, 15 per group). After one week of acclimatization feeding, the mice were divided into control group (Con), AFB1 group, curcumin group (Cur), and AF+Cur group. The mice were gavaged with curcumin (Cur, 100 mg/kg) and/or AFB1 (0.75 mg/kg). To identify a new therapeutic target for AFB1-induced pyroptosis, we performed proteomic profiling for curcumin alleviating liver injury caused by AFB1 to further validate the targets through volcano plot analysis, Venn analysis, heatmap analysis, correlation, cluster analysis, GO and KEGG enrichment. AFB1 exposure resulted in the loss of hepatocyte membrane, swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum, and a significant increase in transaminase (ALT and AST) contents, while curcumin greatly improved these changes. We found that differentially expressed proteins are enriched in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and identified ITPR2 as a target of curcumin that alleviates AFB1-induced liver injury by proteomics. Furthermore, ITPR2 expression was detected by immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR for mRNA expression of genes downstream of ITPR2 (calpain1, calpain2, caspase-12, caspase-3). ITPR2-activated endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (calpain1, calpaini2, bcl-2, BAX, cl-caspase-12, cl-caspase-3), apoptosis (PARP) and pyroptosis (DFNA5) related proteins were examined by western blotting. The analysis showed that it effectively prevents AFB1-induced pyroptosis by lowering endoplasmic reticulum stress via interfering with ITPR2 and its downstream proteins (calpain1, calpain2, bcl-2, Bax) and inhibiting caspase-12/caspase-3 pathway. Conclusively, this study applied proteomic profiling to elucidate ITPR2 as a new target, which might give a new perspective on the mechanism of curcumin alleviating AFB1-induced pyroptosis.

Ferroptosis as a Potential Therapeutic Target of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Mycotoxicosis: A Review

Mycotoxin contamination has become one of the biggest hidden dangers of food safety, which seriously threatens human health. Understanding the mechanisms by which mycotoxins exert toxicity is key to detoxification. Ferroptosis is an adjustable cell death characterized by iron overload and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and glutathione (GSH) depletion. More and more studies have shown that ferroptosis is involved in organ damage from mycotoxins exposure, and natural antioxidants can alleviate mycotoxicosis as well as effectively regulate ferroptosis. In recent years, research on the treatment of diseases by Chinese herbal medicine through ferroptosis has attracted more attention. This article reviews the mechanism of ferroptosis, discusses the role of ferroptosis in mycotoxicosis, and summarizes the current status of the regulation of various mycotoxicosis through ferroptosis by Chinese herbal interventions, providing a potential strategy for better involvement of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of mycotoxicosis in the future.

Penthorum chinense Pursh compound flavonoids supplementation alleviates Aflatoxin B1-induced liver injury via modulation of intestinal barrier and gut microbiota in broiler

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a commonly occurring toxicant in animal and human diets, leading to hazardous effects on health. AFB1 is known to be a hepato-toxicant, and the intestinal barrier may play a crucial role in reversing AFB1-induced liver injury. This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of Penthorum chinense Pursh Compound Flavonoids (PCPCF) by the response surface method with a Box-Behnken design and investigate the effects of PCPCF on AFB1-induced liver injury in broilers. A total of 164 one-day-old broilers were divided into seven groups, including Control, PCPCF (400 mg PCPCF/kg feed), AFB1 (3 mg AFB1/kg feed), and YCHT (Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang extract, 3 mg AFB1 +10 mL YCHT/kg feed) and low, medium, and high dose groups (PCPCF at 3 mg AFB1 +200, 400, 600 mg respectively). Samples of serum, liver, duodenum, and cecum contents were collected at 14th and 28th days for further analysis. The results showed that the maximum extraction rate of PCPCF was 8.15 %. PCPCF was rich in rutin, quercetin, liquiritin and kaempferol, and significantly inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus. The addition of PCPCF improved the growth performance of AFB1-injury broilers, modulated liver function, and increased serum immunoglobulin levels. PCPCF also alleviated liver pathological and oxidative stress damages caused by AFB1 and decreased AFB1-DNA and AFB1-lysine content in the liver. Furthermore, PCPCF supplementation ameliorated intestinal pathological damage, improved intestinal permeability of duodenum in the AFB1-induced broilers, and repaired the intestinal mucosal and mechanical barrier associated with the Notch signaling pathway. Meanwhile, PCPCF improved the intestinal flora structure of AFB1-damaged broilers and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, PCPCF ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 on growth performance and alleviated liver damage by repairing the intestinal barrier and improving intestinal health of broiler chicken.

Protective efficacy of luteolin against aflatoxinB1-induced toxicity, oxidative damage, and apoptosis in the rat liver

One particularly harmful mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB₁), usually triggers liver toxicity and oxidative stress in both humans and other mammals. Luteolin (LUTN), a popular active phytochemical molecule, exhibits a strong antioxidant potential. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the potential molecular mechanism in rats and determine if LUTN exhibits protective benefits against AFB₁-induced hepatotoxicity. Random selection was used to determine the four treatment groups, each consisting of 24 rats (n = 6). Physiological saline was administered to group 1 (CONT); group 2 received LUTN for a dosage of 50-mg/kg BW. AFB₁ was administered to group 3 for a dosage of 0.75-mg/kg BW, and AFB₁ with LUTN was given to group 4 at the same dosages mentioned in the previous groups. Rats intoxicated with AFB₁ alterations of hepatic transaminases, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), displayed periportal mononuclear cell infiltrations, disorganized lobular architecture, and dispersed necrotic cells in their liver tissues. By reducing serum biochemical levels of the hepatic transaminases ALT and AST brought on by AFB₁ exposure, our results demonstrated that LUTN treatment considerably restored liver injury. Through lowering the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as by boosting the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), LUTN mitigated the oxidative stress brought on by AFB₁. Our findings showed that LUTN significantly reversed the liver damage caused by AFB₁. When considered as a whole, LUTN may protect the liver from damage brought on by AFB₁ by acting as a potential mitigator and may aid in the creation of cutting-edge therapies to treat liver illnesses in humans and/or animals.

Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae Mitigates Aflatoxin B1-Induced Liver Toxicity in Chickens via Microbiota-Gut-Liver Axis Interaction Mechanisms

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common mycotoxin that widely occurs in feed and has severe hepatotoxic effects both in humans and animals. Total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynaria (TFRD), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have multiple biological activities and potential hepatoprotective activity. This study investigated the protective effects and potential mechanisms of TFRD against AFB1-induced liver injury. The results revealed that supplementation with TFRD markedly lessened broiler intestinal permeability by increasing the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, as well as correcting the changes in gut microbiota and liver damage induced by AFB1. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the alterations in plasma metabolites, especially taurolithocholic acid, were significantly improved by TFRD treatment in AFB1-exposed chickens. In addition, these metabolites were closely associated with [Ruminococcus], ACC, and GPX1, indicating that AFB1 may cause liver injury by inducing bile acid metabolism involving the microbiota–gut–liver axis. We further found that TFRD treatment markedly suppressed oxidative stress and hepatic lipid deposition, increased plasma glutathione (GSH) concentrations, and reversed hepatic ferroptosis gene expression. Collectively, these findings indicate that ferroptosis might contribute to the hepatotoxicity of AFB1-exposed chickens through the microbiota–gut–liver axis interaction mechanisms; furthermore, TFRD was confirmed as an herbal extract that could potentially antagonize mycotoxins detrimental effects.

Aflatoxin B1 exposure triggers hepatic lipotoxicity via p53 and perilipin 2 interaction-mediated mitochondria-lipid droplet contacts: An in vitro and in vivo assessment

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins widely found in food contaminants, and its target organ is the liver. It poses a major food security and public health threat worldwide. However, the lipotoxicity mechanism of AFB1 exposure-induced liver injury remains unclear and requires further elucidation. Herein, we investigated the potential hepatic lipotoxicity of AFB1 exposure using in vitro and in vivo models to assess the public health hazards of high dietary AFB1 exposure. We demonstrated that low-dose of AFB1 (1.25 μM for 48 h, about one-fifth of the IC50 in HepG2 and HepaRG cells, IC50 are 5.995 μM and 5.266 μM, respectively) exposure significantly induced hepatic lipotoxicity, including abnormal lipid droplets (LDs) growth, mitochondria-LDs contacts increase, lipophagy disruption, and lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, we showed that AFB1 exposure promoted the mitochondrial p53 (mito-p53) and LDs-associated protein perilipin 2 (PLIN2) interaction-mediated mitochondria-LDs contacts, resulting in lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Mito-p53-targeted inhibition, knockdown of PLIN2, and rapamycin application efficiently promoted the lysosome-dependent lipophagy and alleviated the hepatic lipotoxicity and liver injury induced by AFB1 exposure. Overall, our study found that mito-p53 and PLIN2 interaction mediates three organelles-mitochondria, LDs, and lysosomal networks to regulate lipid homeostasis in AFB1 exposure-induced hepatotoxicity, revealing how this unique trio of organelles works together and provides a novel insight into the targeted intervention in inter-organelle lipid sensing and trafficking for alleviating hazardous materials-induced hepatic lipotoxicity.

Novel Insights into Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae against Meat Quality Deterioration Caused by Dietary Aflatoxin B1 Exposure in Chickens

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a group of highly toxic mycotoxins that are commonly found in human and animal foods and threaten animal and human food safety. Total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynaria (TFRD), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, exert multiple biological activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation effects. Here, a total of 160 healthy 21-day-old male broilers were randomly divided into four groups: the CON group, the TFRD group, the AFB1 group, and the AFB1 + TFRD group. The study found that AFB1 exposure altered the breast meat quality-related indicators, including meat sensory and physical indicators. Metabolomics analysis further showed that the change in meat quality was closely associated with significantly differential metabolites of breast muscle. Furthermore, spotlighted amino acid content contributes to changes in the secondary structure of the myofibrillar protein by Raman spectroscopy analysis, which was associated with the oxidative stress and inflammatory response in AFB1-exposed breast meat. Meanwhile, dietary 125 mg/kg TFRD supplementation could effectively restore the changes in breast meat quality. Taken together, these results by multi-technical analysis revealed that AFB1 exposure causes deterioration of chicken meat quality and that TFRD may be a potential herbal extract to antagonize mycotoxicity.

Research Note: Taraxasterol alleviates aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative stress in chicken primary hepatocytes

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic subtype of aflatoxin in feed. Poultry is sensitive to AFB1, and the liver is the main target organ of AFB1. Our previous studies have shown that taraxasterol isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Taraxacum has protective effects against immune-mediated and alcoholic-induced liver injuries. This study aimed to investigate whether taraxasterol has the protective effect and its mechanism against AFB1-induced injury in chicken primary hepatocytes in vitro. The chicken primary hepatocytes were induced with AFB1 (0.05 µg/mL), and treated with taraxasterol (5, 10, and 20 μg/mL). The results showed that taraxasterol increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in AFB1-induced hepatocytes. Moreover, taraxasterol up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of antioxidant-related factors heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and nuclear factor erythroid E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), while down-regulated the expression of oxidant-related factor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. In addition, taraxasterol effectively reduced AFB1-induced hepatocyte autophagy and inhibited the mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes Beclin-2, LC3-I, LC3-II, and ATG-5. Taraxasterol also inhibited AFB1-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and decreased the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase3 and Caspase9. These findings indicates taraxasterol alleviates oxidative stress in AFB1-induced chicken hepatocytes by activating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway, and regulating the cell autophagy and apoptosis.

Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity and Protective Effects of Curcumin: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

One of the most significant classes of mycotoxins, aflatoxins (AFTs), can cause a variety of detrimental outcomes, including cancer, hepatitis, aberrant mutations, and reproductive issues. Among the 21 identified AFTs, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most harmful to humans and animals. The mechanisms of AFB1-induced toxicity are connected to the generation of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), upregulation of CYP450 activities, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, necrosis, and inflammatory response. Several signaling pathways, including p53, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB, NLRP3, MAPKs, and Wnt/β-catenin have been shown to contribute to AFB1-mediated toxic effects in mammalian cells. Curcumin, a natural product with multiple therapeutic activities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunoregulation activities), could revise AFB1-induced harmful effects by targeting these pathways. Therefore, the potential therapeutic use of curcumin against AFB1-related side effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms are summarized. This review, in our opinion, advances significant knowledge, sparks larger discussions, and drives additional improvements in the hazardous examination of AFTs and detoxifying the application of curcumin.

The effect of curcumin on some cytokines, antioxidants and liver function tests in rats induced by Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxins are common food contaminants threating human and animal health. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxication can lead to important health issues. Recent studies have revealed the therapeutic effect of curcumin (Cur) and have drawn attention in the pharmaceutical industry. The therapeutic efficacy of Cur on AFB1-induced oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory response, and hepatorenal damage has not been adequately studied. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective efficacy of Cur on several lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system enzymes, some pro-inflammatory cytokines, and liver function tests in rats suffering from chronic aflatoxicosis induced by AFB1 administered for sixty days. Rats were divided into five groups; Control (K), Dimethyl sulfoxide (D), Curcumin (Cur; 300 mg/kg/day, orally), AFB1 (AF; 250 μg/kg/day, oral) and AFB1+ Curcumin (AF + Cur). Oxidative stress caused by AFB1 caused an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, and a decrease in glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In addition, AFB1 led to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Liver function tests after chronic exposure to AFB1 showed that this toxic substance causes liver damage. Concomitant Cur administration normalized AFB1-induced oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and liver functions. This therapeutic effect of Cur on AFB1 was thought to be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Our results suggest that CUR supplementation in food as it shows beneficial effects particularly on liver impairment exerted by AFB1.

Alleviation of Oral Exposure to Aflatoxin B1-Induced Renal Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, and Cell Apoptosis in Mice Kidney by Curcumin

Aflatoxin B1 is a contaminant widely found in food and livestock feed, posing a major threat to human and animal health. Recently, much attention from the pharmaceutical and food industries has been focused on curcumin due to its strong antioxidant capacity. However, the therapeutic impacts and potential mechanisms of curcumin on kidney damage caused by AFB1 are still incomplete. In this study, AFB1 triggered renal injury in mice, as reflected by pathological changes and renal dysfunction. AFB1 induced renal oxidative stress and interfered with the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway and its downstream genes (CAT, SOD1, NQO1, GSS, GCLC, and GCLM), as manifested by elevated oxidative stress metabolites and reduced antioxidant enzymes activities. Additionally, AFB1 was found to increase apoptotic cells percentage in the kidney via the TUNEL assay, along with increased expression of Cyt-c, Bax, cleaved-Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and decreased expression of Bcl-2 at the transcriptional and protein levels; in contrast, for mice given curcumin, there was a significant reversal in kidney coefficient, biochemical parameters, pathological changes, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis. These results indicate that curcumin could antagonize oxidative stress and apoptosis to attenuate AFB1-induced kidney damage.

Whole-Transcriptome Analysis of Non-Coding RNA Alteration in Porcine Alveolar Macrophage Exposed to Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a type of mycotoxin produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and is commonly found in cereals, oils and foodstuffs. In order to understand the toxic effects of AFB1 exposure on Porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/2 cell), the 3D4/2 cells were exposed to 40 μg/mL AFB1 for 24 h in vitro, and several methods were used for analysis. Edu and TUNEL analysis showed that the proliferation of 3D4/2 cells was significantly inhibited and the apoptosis of 3D4/2 cells was significantly induced after AFB1 exposure compared with that of the control group. Whole-transcriptome analysis was performed to reveal the non-coding RNA alteration in 3D4/2 cells after AFB1 exposure. It was found that the expression of cell-cycle-related and apoptosis-related genes was altered after AFB1 exposure, and lncRNAs and miRNAs were also significantly different among the experimental groups. In particular, AFB1 exposure affected the expression of lncRNAs associated with cellular senescence signaling pathways, such as MSTRG.24315 and MSTRG.80767, as well as related genes, Cxcl8 and Gadd45g. In addition, AFB1 exposure affected the expression of miRNAs associated with immune-related genes, such as miR-181a, miR-331-3p and miR-342, as well as immune-related genes Nfkb1 and Rras2. Moreover, the regulation networks between mRNA-miRNAs and mRNA-lncRNAs were confirmed by the results of RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. In conclusion, our results here demonstrate that AFB1 exposure impaired proliferation of 3D4/2 cells via the non-coding RNA-mediated pathway.

Functional Characterization and Whole-Genome Analysis of an Aflatoxin-Degrading Rhodococcus pyridinivorans Strain

Simple Summary

The microbiological degradation of AFB₁ has been a promising approach to control AFB₁ contamination. Here, we characterize a Rhodococcus pyridinivorans strain that can efficiently degrade AFB₁. The AFB₁-degrading capacity of this bacterial strain was characterized, and the completed genome was sequenced and analyzed. Further proteomic analyses of this strain identified a total of 723 proteins in an extracellular component that showed the strongest capacity to degrade AFB₁ (degradation rate 83.7%). Multiple potential AFB₁-degrading enzymes, and enzymes that are reported to respond to AFB₁ treatment, have been identified accordingly. These findings provide a genomic, proteomic, and experimental approach for characterizing an efficient AFB₁-degrading bacterial strain with great potential for use in the remediation of AFB₁ contamination.

Abstract

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is one of the most toxic, naturally occurring carcinogen compounds and is produced by specific strains of fungi. Crop contamination with AFB₁ can cause huge economic losses and serious health problems. Many studies have examined the microbiological degradation of AFB₁, especially the use of efficient AFB₁-degrading microorganisms, to control AFB₁ contamination. Here, we reported the identification of a new Rhodococcus pyridinivorans strain (4-4) that can efficiently degrade AFB₁ (degradation rate 84.9%). The extracellular component of this strain showed the strongest capacity to degrade AFB₁ (degradation rate 83.7%). The effects of proteinase K, SDS, temperature, pH, incubation time, and AFB₁ concentration on the AFB₁ degradation ability of the extracellular component were investigated. We sequenced the complete genome of this strain, encoding 5246 protein-coding genes and 169 RNA genes on a circular chromosome and two plasmids. Comparative genomic analysis revealed high homology with other Rhodococcus strains with high AFB₁-degradation ability. Further proteomic analyses of this strain identified a total of 723 proteins in the extracellular component, including multiple potential AFB₁-degrading enzymes, along with enzymes that are reported to response to AFB₁ treatment. Overall, the results demonstrate that R. pyridinivorans 4-4 would be an excellent candidate for the biodegradation and detoxification of AFB₁ contamination.

Curcumin and Intestinal Oxidative Stress of Pigs With Intrauterine Growth Retardation: A Review

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to the slow growth and development of a mammalian embryo/fetus or fetal organs during pregnancy, which is popular in swine production and causes considerable economic losses. Nutritional strategies have been reported to improve the health status and growth performance of IUGR piglets, among which dietary curcumin supplementation is an efficient alternative. Curcumin is a natural lipophilic polyphenol derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa with many biological activities. It has been demonstrated that curcumin promotes intestinal development and alleviates intestinal oxidative damage. However, due to its low bioavailability caused by poor solubility, chemical instability, and rapid degradation, the application of curcumin in animal production is rare. In this manuscript, the structural-activity relationship to enhance the bioavailability, and the nutritional effects of curcumin on intestinal health from the aspect of protecting piglets from IUGR associated intestinal oxidative damage were summarized to provide new insight into the application of curcumin in animal production.

Protective role of curcumin on aflatoxin B1-induced TLR4/RIPK pathway mediated-necroptosis and inflammation in chicken liver

This study set out to assess the mitigative effects of curcumin on AFB1-induced necroptosis and inflammation in chicken liver. Ninety-six one-day-old AA broiler chickens were separated into four groups, including control group, AFB1 (1 mg/kg) group, curcumin (300 mg/kg) + AFB1 (1 mg/kg) group and curcumin (300 mg/kg) group. After 28 days treatment, livers were collected for different experimental analyses. The morphological observation results showed obvious necrotic characteristics, including cell swelling, rupture of cell and mitochondrial membranes and inflammation in chicken livers. AFB1 exposure increased oxidative stress index (ROS and MDA) and decreased the antioxidant activity markers (SOD, CAT and GSH) and ATPase activities in chickens' liver. ELISA results showed that AFB1 exposure significantly induced the cytokines (TNF-α, iNOS, IL-6 and IL-1β) release from the liver tissues. While, western blot and qRT-PCR results showed that the protein and mRNA expressions of inflammatory (TLR4/myd88/NF-κB) and necroptosis (RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL) genes were up-regulated by AFB1 exposure. We suspect that signal crosstalk between TLR4 and TNF-α triggers inflammation and RIPK1/RIPK3 mediating necroptosis in AFB1-induced chicken liver injury. Curcumin can regulate the TLR4/RIPK signaling pathway, reduced oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines levels and attenuated the expression of necroptosis and inflammation genes altered by AFB1 to reduce necroptosis of chicken liver tissue. In conclusion, curcumin can protect against AFB1-induced necroptosis and inflammation by TLR4/RIPK pathway in chicken liver.

Dietary administration of Bacillus subtilis KC1 improves growth performance, immune response, heat stress tolerance, and disease resistance of broiler chickens

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of Bacillus subtilis KC1 as a feed additive in the poultry feed. Effects of the Bacillus subtilis supplementation on growth performance, heat-stress tolerance, resistance to Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Salmonella Pullorum challenge of broilers were determined. The protective effects of the Bacillus subtilis on liver function and immune response of broilers challenged with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were also scrutinized. The results showed that the Bacillus subtilis supplementation could improve growth performance, increased body weight, relative weight of the immune organ and dressing percentage, and decrease feed conversion ratio. In addition, the Bacillus subtilis supplementation alleviated adverse effects caused by heat stress, MG, and Salmonella Pullorum challenge. Furthermore, the Bacillus subtilis supplementation resulted in improved liver function and enhanced immune response of broilers challenged with AFB1. In conclusion, these results suggested a tremendous potential of Bacillus subtilis KC1 as a feed additive in the poultry feed.

The Natural Product Curcumin as an Antibacterial Agent: Current Achievements and Problems

The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance and lack of effective drugs for treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria in animal and human medicine have forced us to find new antibacterial strategies. Natural products have served as powerful therapeutics against bacterial infection and are still an important source for the discovery of novel antibacterial drugs. Curcumin, an important constituent of turmeric, is considered safe for oral consumption to treat bacterial infections. Many studies showed that curcumin exhibited antibacterial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial action of curcumin involves the disruption of the bacterial membrane, inhibition of the production of bacterial virulence factors and biofilm formation, and the induction of oxidative stress. These characteristics also contribute to explain how curcumin acts a broad-spectrum antibacterial adjuvant, which was evidenced by the markedly additive or synergistical effects with various types of conventional antibiotics or non-antibiotic compounds. In this review, we summarize the antibacterial properties, underlying molecular mechanism of curcumin, and discuss its combination use, nano-formulations, safety, and current challenges towards development as an antibacterial agent. We hope that this review provides valuable insight, stimulates broader discussions, and spurs further developments around this promising natural product.

Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Mechanisms of Hepatotoxicity Induced by Aflatoxin M1 and Ochratoxin A

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the only toxin with the maximum residue limit in milk, and ochratoxin A (OTA) represents a common toxin in cereals foods. It is common to find the co-occurrence of these two toxins in the environment. However, the interactive effect of these toxins on hepatoxicity and underlying mechanisms is still unclear. The liver and serum metabolomics in mice exposed to individual AFM1 at 3.5 mg/kg b.w., OTA at 3.5 mg/kg b.w., and their combination for 35 days were conducted based on the UPLC-MS method in the present study. Subsequent metabolome on human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (Hep G2) cells was conducted to narrow down the key metabolites. The phenotypic results on liver weight and serum indicators, such as total bilirubin and glutamyltransferase, showed that the combined toxins had more serious adverse effects than an individual one, indicating that the combined AFM1 and OTA displayed synergistic effects on liver damage. Through the metabolic analysis in liver and serum, we found that (i) a synergistic effect was exerted in the combined toxins, because the number of differentially expressed metabolites on combination treatment was higher than the individual toxins, (ii) OTA played a dominant role in the hepatoxicity induced by the combination of AFM1, and OTA and (iii) lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs), more especially, LysoPC (16:1), were identified as the metabolites most affected by AFM1 and OTA. These findings provided a new insight for identifying the potential biomarkers for the hepatoxicity of AFM1 and OTA.

Curcumin activates the Nrf2 Pathway to alleviate AFB1-induced immunosuppression in the spleen of ducklings

Ducklings is one of the most susceptible poultry to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) which widely existed in duckling products will also in turn affect human health. Curcumin (CUR) has significant effects on immune regulation and anti-oxidation. But whether CUR alleviates toxic effects on duckling spleen induced by AFB1 remains largely unknown. In this study we treated duckings with AFB1 and CUR for 21 days before harvesting serum and spleen tissue for analyses. The results showed that AFB1 damaged the spleen tissue of ducklings by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. And the addition of CUR not only promoted the growth of ducklings, but also enhanced the immune function of the spleen and reduced the damage of AFB1 to the spleen tissue. At the same time, CUR activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway, upregulated the expression of related antioxidant enzymes, inhibited the NF-kB signaling pathway, and ultimately reducing the inflammation of the duckling spleen induced by AFB1. It has been suggested from these results that Nrf2 pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for CUR to treat AFB1-induced immunosuppression in ducklings.

Curcumin Supplementation Protects Broiler Chickens Against the Renal Oxidative Stress Induced by the Dietary Exposure to Low Levels of Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) causes hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and kidney damage, and it is included in group I of human carcinogens. The European Commission has established maximum limits of AFB1 in feed, ranging from 5 to 20 μg/kg. Chicken is moderately sensitive to AFB1, which results in reduced growth performance and economic losses. Oxidative stress triggered by AFB1 plays a crucial role in kidney damage and the antioxidant activity of Curcumin (CURC) could help in preventing such adverse effect. Twenty-days-old broilers were treated for 10 days with AFB1 (0.02 mg/kg feed), alone or in combination with CURC (400 mg/kg feed), to explore the effects on the renal tissue. Animals exposed to AFB1 alone displayed alterations of the oxidative stress parameters compared with controls: serum antioxidant capacity, and enzymatic activity of kidney superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, while renal malondialdehyde levels and NADPH oxidase complex expression were increased. The administration of CURC attenuates all the oxidative stress parameters modified by AFB1 in the chicken kidney, opening new perspectives in the management of aflatoxicosis.

Total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae protect hepatocytes against aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in broiler chickens

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common mycotoxin in food and in the environment that lead to multi-organ injury in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the detoxification properties of dietary total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae (TFRD), a Chinese herbal, on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatic oxidative damage and apoptosis of liver of broiler chickens. A total of 160 healthy specific pathogen free (SPF) 21-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 4 groups, including the CON group (basal diet), TFRD group (basal diet with 125 mg/kg TFRD), AFB1 group (100 μg/kg body weight), and AFB1 (100 μg/kg body weight) + TFRD (basal diet with 125 mg/kg TFRD) group. The exposure of AFB1 continued for seven days. The results showed that TFRD treatment alleviated the abnormal changes of growth performance and liver morphology, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Moreover, TFRD promoted the antioxidant capacity of serum, increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05), while decreased MDA contents (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, supplementation of TFRD significantly increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes (SOD, CAT, GST, and GPX1) in liver (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we found that AFB1 was involved in the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to hepatocyte apoptosis. At the same time, TFRD treatment inhibited AFB1-induced apoptosis and significantly changed mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes, including PI3K, AKT, Bax, and Bcl-2 (p < 0.05). The results indicated that TFRD could alleviate AFB1-induced liver injury in broiler chickens.

Effects of Lactobacillus salivarius supplementation on the growth performance, liver function, meat quality, immune responses and Salmonella Pullorum infection resistance of broilers challenged with Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins. It has been reported that dietary exposure to AFB1 is related to the low growth performance, immunosuppression, and high susceptibility to infectious diseases of chickens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Lactobacillus salivarius on broiler chickens challenged with AFB1. First, AFB1 degradation ability of Lactobacillus salivarius was measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Then, the Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to experimental groups. The effects of Lactobacillus salivarius supplementation on the growth performance, liver function, and meat quality were measured, and immune response was also determined after vaccination with attenuated infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccine of broilers challenged with AFB1. Besides, resistance to Salmonella Pullorum infection along with AFB1 exposure was determined in broilers. The results showed that Lactobacillus salivarius could effectively degrade AFB1. Lactobacillus salivarius supplementation improved growth performance, liver function, and meat quality of broilers challenged with AFB1. In addition, Lactobacillus salivarius supplementation resulted in enhanced specific antibody and IFN-γ production, and lymphocyte proliferation in broilers challenged with AFB1 after IBDV vaccine immunization. Furthermore, Lactobacillus salivarius supplementation enhanced Salmonella Pullorum infection resistance in broilers challenged with AFB1. Our results revealed a tremendous potential of Lactobacillus salivarius as feed additive to degrading AFB1 and increasing broilers production performance in poultry production.

2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline induced oxidative stress and inflammation via TLR4/MAPK and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in zebrafish (Danio rerio) livers

2-Amino-3-methylimidazole[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) is a harmful substance, mainly existing in protein-abundant thermally processed foods and polluted environments. This study investigated the hepatotoxicity of IQ by exposing zebrafish model organisms at 0, 8, 80, and 800 ng/mL concentrations for 35 days and was supposed to reveal the mechanism of IQ-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. The results showed that, after IQ exposure, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in zebrafish liver increased significantly; meanwhile, significantly increased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels induced severe oxidative stress and inflammation; however, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels significantly decreased. The results indicated that the increased IQ exposure gradually aggravated pathological changes of zebrafish liver tissue (irregular cell morphology, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and inflammatory cell infiltration) and induced significant liver damage at last. Alterations in the expressions of genes and proteins involved in the IQ-induced TLR4/MAPK and TLR4/NF-κB pathways can elucidate the mechanism of its hepatotoxicity. The study provides evidence of IQ-induced hepatotoxicity and helps to draw attention to the health risks of dietary and environmental exposure to IQ.

Protective effects of silymarin in broiler feed contaminated by mycotoxins: growth performance, meat antioxidant status, and fatty acid profiles

The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of silymarin in broiler feed was able to mitigate the adverse effects of mycotoxin on growth performance, health status, liver oxidative stress, and meat fatty acid profiles. A completely randomized design with four treatments, four repetitions, and 15 chicks per repetition was used, with the following groups: (a) feed without additives (NoMyc-NoSil), (b) feed supplemented with silymarin (NoMyc-Sil), (c) feed contaminated with mycotoxin (Myc-NoSil), and (d) feed contaminated with mycotoxin and supplemented with silymarin (Myc-Sil). Growth performance, intestinal and liver health, and meat quality were assessed. The consumption of feed contaminated with mycotoxin delayed weight gain and increased the feed conversion ratio; however, the addition of silymarin prevented these adverse effects on the chicken industry. Serum ALT activity was higher in Myc-NoSil broilers than in other groups. Intake of silymarin in healthy birds increased serum globulin concentration and reduced albumin concentration and ALT and AST serum activities compared to the Myc-NoSil group. The NoMyc-Sil birds had greater villus heights and crypt depths. Luminosity and water loss by cooking were affected by mycotoxin ingestion, changes that did not occur in the meat of birds that were supplemented with silymarin. The sum of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the meat did not change among treatments, unlike the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids higher in the meat of birds that consumed silymarin. We conclude that silymarin is a potential additive in broiler feed; it reduces impairment of growth performance at the end of the productive cycle, prevents oxidative stress, improves meat quality, and increases polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Hepatotoxicity of food-borne mycotoxins: molecular mechanism, anti-hepatotoxic medicines and target prediction

Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi. The widespread contamination of food and feed by mycotoxins is a global food safety problem and a serious threat to people's health. Most food-borne mycotoxins have strong hepatotoxicity. However, no effective methods have been found to prevent or treat Mycotoxin- Induced Liver Injury (MILI) in clinical and animal husbandry. In this paper, the molecular mechanisms and potential anti-MILI medicines of six food-borne MILI are reviewed, and their targets are predicted by network toxicology, which provides a theoretical basis for further study of the toxicity mechanism of MILI and the development of effective strategies to manage MILI-related health problems in the future and accelerate the development of food safety.

Hypothesis: Long non-coding RNA is a potential target of mycotoxins

The molecular target of mycotoxins is not fully understood. Extensive data derived from cell and animal experimental studies demonstrate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in mycotoxin-induced toxicities. Mycotoxins stimulate the upregulation/downregulation of lncRNA expression, which further promote apoptosis, is related to the mTOR/FoxO signaling pathway, and contributes to tumor cell growth, death, and liver and chondrocyte damage. Moreover, lncRNA can establish interactions with NF-κB and cause immune evasion. These preliminary data suggest that lncRNAs are involved in potential upstream regulatory events and further regulate downstream apoptosis, oxidative stress, and anti-apoptotic events that affect cell death and survival. Therefore, we hypothesize that lncRNAs are potential targets of mycotoxins. Investigation of the expression of the potential target lncRNAs by mycotoxin-mediated stimulation, and exploration of the upstream and downstream relationship between lncRNA and the key proteins involved in mycotoxin toxicity, should be performed. This Hypothesis provides clues for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of mycotoxins.