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

Chromatin accessibility and transcriptional landscape in PK-15 cells during early exposure to Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) not only causes significant losses in livestock production but also poses a serious threat to human health. It is the most carcinogenic among known chemicals. Pigs are more susceptible to AFB1 and experience a higher incidence. However, the molecular mechanism of the toxic effect of AFB1 remains unclear. In this study, we used assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA-seq to uncover chromatin accessibility and gene expression dynamics in PK-15 cells during early exposure to AFB1. We observed that the toxic effects of AFB1 involve signaling pathways such as p53, PI3K-AKT, Hippo, MAPK, TLRs, apoptosis, autophagy, and cancer pathways. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs), including AP-1, Fos, JunB, and Fra2, play a crucial role in regulating the biological processes involved in AFB1 challenge. Several new TFs, such as BORIS, HNF1b, Atf1, and KNRNPH2, represent potential targets for the toxic mechanism of AFB1. In addition, it is crucial to focus on the concentration of intracellular zinc ions. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying AFB1-induced nephrotoxicity and offer new molecular targets.

In vivo evidence of sea buckthorn relieving oxidative stress and improving immune performance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

BACKGROUND

Sea buckthorn has the functions of antioxidation, antitumor, anti-inflammation and regulating energy metabolism. In order to investigate the effects of sea buckthorn powder and sea buckthorn flavonoids on the antioxidant properties, immune function and muscle fatty acid composition of common carp, an oral feeding experiment was carried out.

RESULTS

The administration of glucose significantly reduced the levels of glutathione and the activity of total antioxidant capacity enzyme in serum and hepatopancreas, while concurrently upregulating the level of malondialdehyde (MDA)(P < 0.05). Conversely, oral intake of sea buckthorn powder and flavonoids increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased MDA levels. In terms of antioxidant molecular indicators, sea buckthorn powder and sea buckthorn flavonoids significantly increased the mRNA levels of nuclear factor NF-E2-related factor (nrf2) in the hepatopancreas and muscle. Meanwhile, mRNA expression levels of downstream antioxidant-related genes (gr, cat, gpx, and sod) regulated by Nrf2 were also upregulated. In the immune aspects, the mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (il-6), interleukin-1β (il-1β) and nuclear factor-κB (nf-κb), were reduced but the expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as growth factor-β (tgf-β) and interleukin-10 (il-10), were enhanced in the head kidney and spleen tissues after oral administration with sea buckthorn. In terms of muscle fatty acid composition, the ratio of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/n-6 PUFA was notably higher after administering sea buckthorn flavonoids than that of the glucose group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that oral administration of sea buckthorn powder and sea buckthorn flavonoids significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity and immune response and improved the muscle fatty acid compositions in common carp, and also mitigated the adverse effects of glucose treatment to a certain extent. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Beneficial effects of advanced chelate technology-based 7-minerals in aflatoxin-B1 challenged broilers: toxin residue reduction, serum biochemical improvement and modulation of the mRNA expression of NF-kB and Nrf2, and genes within their pathways

BACKGROUND

Organic trace minerals (TM) offer superior nutritional benefits because of their stable structure, making their addition to broiler diets potentially beneficial during challenging periods such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination. The present study evaluated the impacts of different replacement levels of inorganic TM (ITM) with advanced chelate technology-based TM (ACTM) on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant indicators, and some inflammatory and immune parameters of broilers fed diets contaminated with AFB1. A 42-day experiment involved randomly assigning 1-day-old broiler chickens (n = 480) to one of five dietary treatments, each with six replicates. The treatments were as follows: (1) NC: basal diet without AFB1 and recommended ITM levels; (2) PC: basal diet with 0.5 mg kg-1 AFB1 and recommended ITM levels; (3) TB: PC diet +1 g kg-1 toxin binder; (4) ACTM50: replacement of ITM with 50% ACTM in the PC diet; and (5) ACTM100: replacement of ITM with 100% ACTM in the PC diet.

RESULTS

Compared with PC treatment, ACTM100 treatment resulted in increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain, serum zinc and glutathione concentrations, immunoglobulin Y level, antioxidant enzyme activities, and hepatic gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, glutathione peroxidase-1, superoxide dismutase-1 and transforming growth factor beta 1. The ACTM100 group also exhibited decreased AFB1 residue in the liver and kidney, serum alanine transaminase activity and malondialdehyde concentration, and hepatic gene expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B and interferon-gamma (P < 0.05). These values were comparable to those recorded in the TB and NC treatments.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, completely replacing ITM with ACTM can benefit the metabolism and mitigate AFB1-induced immunotoxicity and oxidative damage in chickens by altering the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and some genes downstream their signaling pathways. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Micellar Quercetin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota, Meat Quality, and Physiological Status in Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the impacts of micellar quercetin (MQ) supplementation on growth performance, meat stability, excreta gas emissions, and physiological status. During a 35-day trial, 640 Ross 308 broilers were utilized. These birds were one day old, with an average initial body weight of 43.34 ± 1.43 g. They were randomly distributed across four experimental diets, each consisting of 10 replicate pens with 16 chicks per pen. The diets included the following: control (CON) with 0% micellar quercetin (MQ), TRT1 with 0.025% MQ, TRT2 with 0.050% MQ, and TRT3 with 0.100% MQ. The results indicate that broilers fed diets with increasing levels of MQ exhibited significantly higher body weight gains (BWGs) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was a clear linear increase in the breast muscle percentage with higher levels of quercetin supplementation (p < 0.05), while the breast color remained consistent across all groups (p > 0.05). Both cooking loss and drip loss exhibited a linear decrease as MQ levels in the diet increased (p < 0.05). The level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tended to decrease with higher MQ levels. Thyroxine (T4) and lymphocyte levels also showed a linear increase with increasing MQ dosage in the diet (p < 0.05). However, no significant effects were observed on nutrient digestibility, gas emissions, or fecal microbial components (Lactobacillus, E. coli, and Salmonella) with higher levels of MQ supplementation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, augmenting quercetin levels in the diet positively influenced the BWG, breast muscle development, and meat quality parameters such as cooking loss and drip loss, with beneficial effects on blood profiles.

Natural products for Gut-X axis: pharmacology, toxicology and microbiology in mycotoxin-caused diseases

Introduction: The gastrointestinal tract is integral to defending against external contaminants, featuring a complex array of immunological, physical, chemical, and microbial barriers. Mycotoxins, which are toxic metabolites from fungi, are pervasive in both animal feed and human food, presenting substantial health risks. Methods: This review examines the pharmacological, toxicological, and microbiological impacts of natural products on mycotoxicosis, with a particular focus on the gut-x axis. The analysis synthesizes current understanding and explores the role of natural products rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins. Results: The review highlights that mycotoxins can disrupt intestinal integrity, alter inflammatory responses, damage the mucus layer, and disturb the bacterial balance. The toxins' effects are extensive, potentially harming the immune system, liver, kidneys, and skin, and are associated with serious conditions such as cancer, hormonal changes, genetic mutations, bleeding, birth defects, and neurological issues. Natural products have shown potential anticancer, anti-tumor, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antitoxic properties. Discussion: The review underscores the emerging therapeutic strategy of targeting gut microbial modulation. It identifies knowledge gaps and suggests future research directions to deepen our understanding of natural products' role in gut-x axis health and to mitigate the global health impact of mycotoxin-induced diseases.

Microalgae: A promising strategy for aflatoxin control in poultry feeds

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, primarily Aspergillus species, which can contaminate crops such as grains and nuts. These toxins pose a significant health risk to animals and humans. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most potent of these compounds and has been well-characterized to lead to diminished growth and feed efficiency by disrupting nutrient absorption and metabolism in poultry. AFB1 can trigger apoptosis and inflammation, leading to a decline in immune function and changes in blood biochemistry in poultry. Recently, there has been growing interest in using microalgae as a natural antioxidant to mitigate the effects of aflatoxins in poultry diets. Microalgae have strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and adding them to aflatoxin-contaminated poultry diets has been shown to improve growth and overall health. This review investigates the potential of microalgae, such as Spirulina platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, and Enteromorpha prolifera, to mitigate AFB1 contamination in poultry feeds. These microalgae contain substantial amounts of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, peptides, vitamins, and pigments, which possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, and detoxifying properties. Microalgae can bind to aflatoxins and prevent their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry. They can also enhance the immune system of poultry, making them more resilient to the toxic effects of AFB1. Based on the data collected, microalgae have shown promising results in combating AFB1 contamination in poultry feeds. They can bind to aflatoxins, boost the immune system, and improve feed quality. This review emphasizes the harmful effects of AFB1 on poultry and the promising role of microalgae in reducing these effects.

Aflatoxin B1 Impairs Bone Mineralization in Broiler Chickens

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a ubiquitous mycotoxin in corn-based animal feed, particularly in tropical regions, impairs liver function, induces oxidative stress and disrupts cellular pathways, potentially worsening bone health in modern broilers. A 19-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding increasing levels of AFB1-contaminated feed (<2, 75-80, 150, 230-260 and 520-560 ppb) on bone mineralization markers in broilers (n = 360). While growth performance remained unaffected up to Day 19, significant reductions in tibial bone ash content were observed at levels exceeding 260 ppb. Micro-computed tomography results showed that AFB1 levels at 560 ppb significantly decreased trabecular bone mineral content and density, with a tendency for reduced connectivity density in femur metaphysis. Moreover, AFB1 above 230 ppb reduced the bone volume and tissue volume of the cortical bone of femur. Even at levels above 75 ppb, AFB1 exposure significantly downregulated the jejunal mRNA expressions of the vitamin D receptor and calcium and phosphorus transporters. It can be concluded that AFB1 at levels higher than 230 ppb negatively affects bone health by impairing bone mineralization via disruption of the vitamin D receptor and calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, potentially contributing to bone health issues in broilers.

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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Therapeutic effects of Zhuling Jianpi capsule on experimental ulcerative colitis and characterization of its chemical constituents and metabolomics using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Zhuling Jianpi Capsule (Zhuling) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula used to treat symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the protective effects of Zhuling on experimental ulcerative colitis (UC) and the effective substance responsible for its efficacy have rarely been reported. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of orally administrated Zhuling on DSS-induced UC in mice. The chemical constituents and metabolomics of Zhuling were qualitatively analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The results showed that Zhuling treatment markedly alleviated DSS-induced clinical symptoms, restrained the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improved intestinal epithelial barrier function. Furthermore, a total of 167 compounds have been identified or characterized, and 120 prototype components were detected in the urine, plasma, bile and feces of mice. Among them, altogether 26 representative prototypes were associated with 139 metabolites via the corresponding biotransformation pathways, and both of them mainly contained flavonoids, alkaloids, organic acids, monoterpenes, phenylpropanoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and anthraquinones. Finally, 12 potent compounds mainly containing flavonoids, terpenoids and phenylpropanoids were screened out as potential quality control index components and might be the main substances that exert a pharmacological effect. Our data indicated that Zhuling administration prominently alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Additionally, the chemical and metabolic profiling provided helpful information on the potential pharmacodynamic substances of Zhuling, which can be further investigated in the future.

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.

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.

Aflatoxin B1 Exposure in Sheep: Insights into Hepatotoxicity Based on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Injury, Apoptosis, and Gut Microbiota Analysis

The widespread fungal toxin Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is an inevitable pollutant affecting the health of humans, poultry, and livestock. Although studies indicate that AFB₁ is hepatotoxic, there are few studies on AFB₁-induced hepatotoxicity in sheep. Thus, this study examined how AFB₁ affected sheep liver function 24 h after the animals received 1 mg/kg bw of AFB₁ orally (dissolved in 20 mL, 4% v/v ethanol). The acute AFB₁ poisoning caused histopathological injuries to the liver and increased total bilirubin (TBIL) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels. AFB₁ also markedly elevated the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 while considerably reducing the expression of antioxidation-related genes (SOD-1 and SOD-2) and the anti-inflammatory gene IL-10 in the liver. Additionally, it caused apoptosis by dramatically altering the expression of genes associated with apoptosis including Bax, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2/Bax. Notably, AFB₁ exposure altered the gut microbiota composition, mainly manifested by BF311 spp. and Alistipes spp. abundance, which are associated with liver injury. In conclusion, AFB₁ can cause liver injury and liver dysfunction in sheep via oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and gut-microbiota disturbance.

The Preferential Therapeutic Potential of Chlorella vulgaris against Aflatoxin-Induced Hepatic Injury in Quail

Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most detrimental mycotoxin, potentially hazardous to animals and humans. AFs in food threaten the health of consumers and cause liver cancer. Therefore, a safe, efficient, and friendly approach is attributed to the control of aflatoxicosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of Chlorella vulgaris (CLV) on hepatic aflatoxicosis, aflatoxin residues, and meat quality in quails. Quails were allocated into a control group; the CLV group received CLV (1 g/kg diet); the AF group received an AF-contaminated diet (50 ppb); and the AF+CLV group received both treatments. The results revealed that AF decreased the growth performance and caused a hepatic injury, exhibited as an increase in liver enzymes and disrupted lipid metabolism. In addition, AF induced oxidative stress, exhibited by a dramatic increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decreases in glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Significant up-regulation in the inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) mRNA expression was also documented. Moreover, aflatoxin residues were detected in the liver and meat with an elevation of fat% alongside a decrease in meat protein%. On the other hand, CLV supplementation ameliorated AF-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory condition in addition to improving the nutritional value of meat and significantly reducing AF residues. CLV mitigated AF-induced hepatic damage, decreased growth performance, and lowered meat quality via its antioxidant and nutritional constituents.

Evaluation of Taraxacum mongolicum flavonoids in diets for Channa argus based on growth performance, immune responses, apoptosis and antioxidant defense system under lipopolysaccharide stress

To ascertain the effects of Taraxacum mongolicum flavonoids (TMF) on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immune indices, inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity of Channa argus, 400 C. argus with an average body weight of (8.08 ± 0.21) g were selected and divided randomly into four groups. They were fed with four experimental diets supplemented with TMF of 0 (control), 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for 56 d, and then challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 96 h, afterwards indices were detected. The results manifested that the addition of TMF above 50 mg/kg in the dietary could significantly improve the final body weight, WGR, SGR and PER of C. argus, while decreased FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, the 50 mg/kg group had the highest activity of digestive enzymes (protease, lipase, amylase) in intestine and hepatopancreas, which were notably higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, 100 mg/kg group could effectively inhibit the liver and gut injury caused by LPS and reduce the contents of ALT and AST, LPS and LBP in serum. In the immune (LY, AKP, ACP, IgM, C3) and antioxidant (T-AOC, SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, GR, ASA, MDA) systems, 100 mg/kg groups were the optimal group, which were remarkably higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of genes revealed that 100 mg/kg group could noteworthy restrain the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (tnf-α, il-1β, il-8) and pro-apoptosis (cas-3,8,9, p53, bax, bcl-2) related genes, up-regulate the expression of anti-inflammatory (il-10, tgf-β) factors, antioxidant-related (nrf2, gpx, gst, cat) genes and heat shock proteins (hsp70, hsp90). Simultaneously, the survival rate of C. argus in the 100 mg/kg TMF-supplemented group was the highest after LPS challenge. Our results elucidate that dietary supplementation TMF protects C. argus from LPS-induced inflammatory injury, to ameliorate digestion, immune response, antioxidant status and apoptosis, implying that TMF could be regarded as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent adding to aquatic animal feed.

May phytophenolics alleviate aflatoxins-induced health challenges? A holistic insight on current landscape and future prospects

The future GCC-connected environmental risk factors expedited the progression of nCDs. Indeed, the emergence of AFs is becoming a global food security concern. AFs are lethal carcinogenic mycotoxins, causing damage to the liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal organs. Long-term exposure to AFs leads to liver cancer. Almost a variety of food commodities, crops, spices, herbaceous materials, nuts, and processed foods can be contaminated with AFs. In this regard, the primary sections of this review aim to cover influencing factors in the occurrence of AFs, the role of AFs in progression of nCDs, links between GCC/nCDs and exposure to AFs, frequency of AFs-based academic investigations, and world distribution of AFs. Next, the current trends in the application of PPs to alleviate AFs toxicity are discussed. Nearly, more than 20,000 published records indexed in scientific databases have been screened to find recent trends on AFs and application of PPs in AFs therapy. Accordingly, shifts in world climate, improper infrastructures for production/storage of food commodities, inconsistency of global polices on AFs permissible concentration in food/feed, and lack of the public awareness are accounting for a considerable proportion of AFs damages. AFs exhibited their toxic effects by triggering the progression of inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress, in turn, leading to the onset of nCDs. PPs could decrease AFs-associated oxidative stress, genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects by improving cellular antioxidant balance, regulation of signaling pathways, alleviating inflammatory responses, and modification of gene expression profile in a dose/time-reliant fashion. The administration of PPs alone displayed lower biological properties compared to co-treatment of these metabolites with AFs. This issue might highlight the therapeutic application of PPs than their preventative content. Flavonoids such as quercetin and oxidized tea phenolics, curcumin and resveratrol were the most studied anti-AFs PPs. Our literature review clearly disclosed that considering PPs in antioxidant therapies to alleviate complications of AFs requires improvement in their bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, tissue clearance, and off-target mode of action. Due to the emergencies in the elimination of AFs in food/feedstuffs, further large-scale clinical assessment of PPs to decrease the consequences of AFs is highly required.

The Efficacy of Additives for the Mitigation of Aflatoxins in Animal Feed: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

The contamination of animal feed with aflatoxins is an ongoing and growing serious issue, particularly for livestock farmers in tropical and subtropical regions. Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet impairs feed efficiency and increases susceptibility to diseases, resulting in mortality, feed waste, and increased production costs. They can also be excreted in milk and thus pose a significant human health risk. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aim to compare and identify the most effective intervention to alleviate the negative impact of aflatoxins on the important livestock sector, poultry production. Eligible studies on the efficacy of feed additives to mitigate the toxic effect of aflatoxins in poultry were retrieved from different databases. Additives were classified into three categories based on their mode of action and composition: organic binder, inorganic binder, and antioxidant. Moreover, alanine transaminase (ALT), a liver enzyme, was the primary indicator. Supplementing aflatoxin-contaminated feeds with different categories of additives significantly reduces serum ALT levels (p < 0.001) compared with birds fed only a contaminated diet. Inorganic binder (P-score 0.8615) was ranked to be the most efficient in terms of counteracting the toxic effect of aflatoxins, followed by antioxidant (P-score 0.6159) and organic binder (P-score 0.5018). These findings will have significant importance for farmers, veterinarians, and animal nutrition companies when deciding which type of additives to use for mitigating exposure to aflatoxins, thus improving food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in developing countries.

Evaluation of Hepatic Detoxification Effects of Enteromorpha prolifera Polysaccharides against Aflatoxin B1 in Broiler Chickens

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a major risk factor in animal feed. Seaweed (Enteromorpha prolifera)-derived polysaccharides (SDP) are natural antioxidants with multiple biological functions, which may have an in vivo detoxification effect on AFB₁. The current study aimed to evaluate whether SDP could mitigate AFB₁-induced hepatotoxicity in broilers. A total of 216 chickens (male, 5 weeks old) were randomly allocated to three groups with differing feeding patterns, lasting 4 weeks: (1) control group (CON, fed a basal diet); (2) AFB₁ group (fed a basal diet mixed with 0.1 mg/kg AFB₁); and (3) AFB₁ + SDP group (AFB₁ group + 0.25% SDP). The results showed that dietary SDP improved the liver function-related biochemical indicators in serum, and reversed the increase in relative liver weight, hepatic apoptosis and histological damage of broilers exposed to AFB₁. SDP treatment also reduced the activity and mRNA expression of phase I detoxification enzymes, while increasing the activity and mRNA expression of phase II detoxification enzymes in the livers of AFB₁-exposed broilers, which was involved in the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling. In conclusion, dietary SDP alleviated AFB₁-induced liver injury of broilers through inhibiting phase I detoxification enzymes and upregulating p38MAPK/Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxification enzymes pathway.

Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae Ameliorate Bone Growth in Experimentally Induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia in Chickens via Regulation of OPG/RANKL Axis

Background:Rhizoma Drynariae, traditional Chinese herb, is widely used to treat and prevent bone disorders. However, experimental evidence on the use of Rhizoma Drynariae extract, total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD) to treat tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in chickens and its underlying mechanisms have not been investigated.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of TFRD on leg disease caused by TD and elucidate its mechanisms in modulating the bone status.

Methods: Thiram-induced chicken TD model has been established. The tibia status was evaluated by analyzing tibia-related parameters including tibial weight, tibial length and its growth plate width and by performing histopathological examination. The expression of tibial bone development-related genes and proteins was confirmed by western blotting and qRT-PCR.

Results: The results showed that administration of TFRD mitigated lameness, increased body weight, recuperated growth plate width in broilers affected by TD and the increase of tibia weight and tibia length is significantly positively correlated with body weight. Compared with the TD group broilers, 500 mg/kg TFRD evidently reduced the damage width of the growth plate and improved its blood vessel distribution by elevating the gene expression levels of BMP-2 and Runx2 and OPG/RANKL ratio. Furthermore, correlation analysis found that the damage width of the growth plate was negatively correlated with the expression levels of BMP-2 and OPG.

Conclusion: The present study revealed that TFRD could promote the bone growth via upregulating OPG/RANKL ratio, suggesting that TFRD might be a potential novel drug in the treatment of TD in chickens.

Aflatoxin B1 causes oxidative stress and apoptosis in sheep testes associated with disrupting rumen microbiota

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant commonly found in feed and foodstuffs. It is the most toxic one of all the aflatoxins, which can cause severe impairment to testicular development and function. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of reproductive toxicity in rams sheep remain inconclusive. The study was designed to explore the effects of AFB1 on sheep testes through rumen-microbiota, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Six-month-old male Dorper rams (n = 6) were orally administrated with 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 (dissolved in 20 mL 4% ethanol) 24 h before the experiment. At the same time, rams in the control group (n = 6) were intragastrically administrated with 20 mL 4% ethanol. It was observed that acute AFB1 poisoning had significant (p < 0.05) toxin residue in the testis and could cause testicular histopathological damage. AFB1 stimulated the secretion of plasma testosterone level through regulating testosterone synthesis-related genes (StAR, 3β-HSD, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1), which are accompanied by the increase of oxidative stress and testicular apoptosis that had a close relationship with the regulation of testosterone secretion. Interestingly, we observed rumen dysbacteriosis and decreased the abundances of Prevotella, Succiniclasticum, CF231, Ruminococcus, and Pseudobutyrivibrio in AFB1-exposed sheep, which were negatively correlated to the testosterone synthesis-related gene levels. Taken together, our findings indicated that AFB1 induced testicular damage and testicular dysfunction, which is related to testicular oxidative stress and apoptosis involved in rumen dysbacteriosis in sheep.