Clinical efficiency and safety of Hsp90 inhibitor Novobiocin in avian tibial dyschondroplasia

Baicalin inhibits apoptosis and enhances chondrocyte proliferation in thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia in chickens by regulating Bcl-2/Caspase-9 and Sox-9/Collagen-II expressions

Avian tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a skeletal disease affecting fast growing chickens, resulting in non-mineralized avascular cartilage. This metabolic disorder is characterized by lameness and reduced growth performance causing economic losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of baicalin against TD caused by thiram exposure. A total of two hundred and forty (n = 240) one day-old broiler chickens were uniformly and randomly allocated into three different groups (n = 80) viz. control, TD, and baicalin groups. All chickens received standard feed, however, to induce TD, the TD and baicalin groups received thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) at a rate of 50 mg/kg feed from days 4-7. The thiram induction in TD and baicalin groups resulted in lameness, high mortality, and enlarged growth-plate, poor production performance, reduction in ALP, GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC levels, and increased AST and ALT, and MDA levels. Furthermore, histopathological results showed less vascularization, and mRNA and protein expression levels of Sox-9, Col-II, and Bcl-2 showed significant downward trend, while caspase-9 displayed significant up-regulation in TD-affected chickens. After the TD induction, the baicalin group was orally administered with baicalin at a rate of 200 mg/kg from days 8-18. Baicalin administration increased the vascularization, and chondrocytes with intact nuclei, alleviated lameness, decreased GP size, increased productive capacity, and restored the liver antioxidant enzymes and serum biochemical levels. Furthermore, baicalin significantly up-regulated the gene and protein expressions of Sox-9, Col-II, and Bcl-2, and significantly down-regulated the expression of caspase-9 (p < 0.05). Therefore, the obtained results suggest that baicalin could be a possible choice in thiram toxicity alleviation by regulating apoptosis and chondrocyte proliferation in thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia.

The use of purple carrot powder in the diet of laying quails improved some egg quality characteristics, including antioxidant capacity

The goal of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary concentrations of purple carrot powder (PCP) on performance, egg production, egg quality, and the antioxidant capacity of the yolk in laying quails. A total of one hundred and fifty 22-week-old Japanese laying quails were allotted to 5 dietary treatments each with 6 replicates of 5 quails. Quails were allocated to five dietary treatments (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4%) with PCP addition at an increasing level from 0 to 4000 mg/kg diet respectively, which were fed ad-libitum throughout the duration of the experiment. No differences were detected between dietary treatments for any of the performance parameters or egg production. Eggshell weight and eggshell thickness (P < 0.05) were linearly affected by PCP dietary, reaching maximum levels at 0.4% of PCP supplementation, while the percentage of damaged egg and egg-breaking strength remained similar for all experimental groups (P < 0.05). Quails receiving PCP diets showed a yellowness (b*) (P < 0.05) egg yolk color than those fed the control diet, without affecting the rest of the color parameters and egg internal quality. Increasing PCP levels in diets reduced linearly yolk TBARS (P < 0.01) and increased linearly DPPH (P < 0.01). The addition of PCP, a safe and readily available agricultural by-product, as a component of the diet of laying quail was effective without adversely affecting quail production. Moreover, the inclusion of PCP in the diet might benefit laying quails' eggs by improving some quality traits and enhancing the yolk's antioxidant capacity, which could improve their shelf-life and acceptability.

Screening of Proliferation-Related Genes and Pathological Changes in Thiram-Induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia

Materials and Methods

Three hundred sixty (n = 360) broiler chickens were equally divided into control (C) and thiram (T) groups. Furthermore, the C and T groups were dividedinto 8-, 9-, 11-, and 13-day-old chickens.

Results

Clinically, it was observed that broiler chickens of group T had abnormal posture, gait, and lameness, and histopathological results revealed dead and abnormal chondrocytes of T group on day 6. Real-time qPCR results showed that HDAC1, MTA1, H4, and PCNA genes were significantly expressed (P < 0.05). HDAC1 was upregulated on days 1, 2, 4, and 6 (P < 0.01); MTA1 was upregulated on days 1 and 2 (P < 0.01); H4 was upregulated on days 2 and 4 (P < 0.01), and PCNA was downregulated on days 1, 2, and 4 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IHC results of HDAC1 protein were significantly (P < 0.01) expressed in proliferative zone of day 1 and hypertrophic zone of day 6. MTA1 protein was significantly (P < 0.01) expressed on days 1, 2, and 6 in all zones, except prehypertrophic zone of day 2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mRNA expressions of HDAC1, MTA1, H4, and PCNA were differentially expressed in the chondrocytes of thiram-induced TD chickens. HDAC1 and MTA1 protein expression found involved and responsible in the abnormal chondrocytes' proliferation of broiler chicken.

Glutathione-S-transferase A3 protein suppresses thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia by regulating prostaglandin-related genes expression

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is an intractable avian cartilage disease in which proximal growth plates of tibia lack blood vessels and contain nonviable cells, and it leads to the inflammatory response. Prostaglandins (PGs) genes have not been studied yet in TD chicken, and they might play role in skeletal metabolism, therefore we planned to explore the role of recombinant glutathione-S-transferase A3 (rGSTA3) protein and PG-related genes. In this study, qRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were used to identify the expression patterns of eight PG-related genes in the tibial growth plate of broiler chicken. The results showed that the expression of PG-related genes glutathione-S-transferase A3 (GSTA3), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES), prostaglandin E2 receptor (PTGER) 3, PTGER4, prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1) and hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthases (HPGDS) expression were identified and could significantly respond to thiram-induced TD chicken. Interestingly, the expression of rate-limiting enzyme COX-2 and PGE₂ were induced after the treatment of rGSTA3 protein. These findings demonstrated that the occurrence of TD is closely related to the inhibition of PGs. Moreover, rGSTA3 protein participated in the recovery of TD by strengthening the expression of PG-related genes.

Cellular, molecular and genetical overview of avian tibial dyschondroplasia

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is an intractable avian bone disease that causes severe poultry economic losses. The pathogenicity of TD is unknown. Therefore, TD disease has not been evacuated yet. Based on continuous research findings, we have gone through the molecular and cellular insight into the TD and proposed possible pathogenicity for future studies. Immunity and angiogenesis-related genes expressed in the erythrocytes of chicken, influenced the apoptosis of chicken chondrocytes to cause TD. TD could be defined as the irregular, unmineralized and un-vascularized mass of cartilage, which is caused by apoptosis, degeneration and insufficient blood supply at the site of the chicken growth plate. The failure of angiogenesis attributed improper nutrients supply to the chondrocytes; ultimately, bone development stopped, poor calcification of cartilage matrix, and apoptosis of chondrocytes occurred. Recent studies explore potential signaling pathways that regulated TD in broiler chickens, including parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), transforming growth factor β (TGF- β)/bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Several studies have reported many medicines to treat TD. However, recently, rGSTA3 protein (50 μg·kg^-1) is considered the most proper TD treatment. The present review has summarized the molecular and cellular insight into the TD, which will help researchers in medicine development to evacuate TD completely.

Health benefits of carotenoids and potential application in poultry industry: A review

Carotenoids are one of the widespread and ubiquitous lipid-soluble pigments that produce a wide range of colours which are universally found in various plants, microalgae, bacteria and fungi. Recently, interest in using carotenoids as feed ingredients has increased markedly owing to their bioactive and health-promoting properties. In terms of applications, carotenoid-rich products are widely available in the form of food and feed additive, supplements and natural colourants. Carotenoids play a versatile biological role that contributes to therapeutic effects, including anticancer, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and neuroprotective. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids not only improves the production performance and health of poultry birds, but also enhances the quality of egg and meat. Several studies have suggested that the supplementation of plant derived carotenoids revealed numerous health-promoting activities in poultry birds. Carotenoids reduce the oxidative stress in pre-hatched and post-hatched birds through different mechanisms, including quench free radicals, activating antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting the signalling pathways. Use of carotenoids in poultry feed as a part of nutrient that confers bird health and improve product quality. Carotenoids play a critical role for the pigmentation of egg yolk, skin, legs, beak, comb, feather and fat. Birds consumed carotenoid deficient diet resulting hues of their egg yolk or pale coloured skin. Therefore, uniform pigmentation generally indicates the health status and quality of the poultry products. This review aims to gather recent information regarding bioactive properties of carotenoids and highlight pharmaceutical and health beneficial effects of carotenoids for the poultry industry. Additionally, it explores the importance of carotenoids as alternative feed ingredients for poultry to boost the production performance and replace synthetic medicine and nutrients.

Allosteric Regulation of Hsp90α's Activity by Small Molecules Targeting the Middle Domain of the Chaperone

Hsp90 is a target for anti-cancer drug development. Both the conformational events tuned by ATP/ADP and co-chaperones and the chaperoning cycle timing are required for Hsp90's fully functional display. Interfering with either one of the conformational events or the cycle timing will down-regulate Hsp90's function. In this manuscript, non-covalent allosteric modulators (SOMCL-16-171 and SOMCL-16-175) targeting Hsp90α’s middle domain (Hsp90M) were developed for the first time. Multiple techniques were then applied to characterize the interactions between two active compounds and Hsp90α. Two loops and one α-helix (F349-N360, K443-E451, and D372-G387) in Hsp90M were identified responsible for the recognition of SOMCL-16-171 and SOMCL-16-175. Meanwhile, the binding of SOMCL-16-171 and SOMCL-16-175 to Hsp90M was demonstrated to allosterically modulate the structure and function of Hsp90α’s N-terminal domain. Finally, cellular assays were conducted to evaluate the cellular activity of SOMCL-16-175, and the results indicate that SOMCL-16-175 destabilizes Hsp90's client proteins and reduces cell viability.

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Allosteric modulators targeting Hsp90α's middle domain were developed for the first time

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Key elements in Hsp90M for the recognition of allosteric modulators were identified

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Compound SOMCL-16-175 promotes Hsp90α’s ATPase activity and reduces cell viability

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SOMCL-16-175 destabilizes Hsp90's clients without triggering heat shock response

Plastrum Testudinis Extract Mitigates Thiram Toxicity in Broilers via Regulating PI3K/AKT Signaling

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) negatively affects broilers all over the world, in which the accretion of the growth plate (GP) develops into tibial proximal metaphysis. Plastrum testudinis extract (PTE) is renowned as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bone healing agent. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of PTE for the treatment of thiram-induced TD chickens. Broilers (day old; n = 300) were raised for 3 days with normal feed. On the 4th day, three groups (n = 100 each) were sorted, namely, the control (normal diet), TD, and PTE groups (normal diet+ thiram 50 mg/kg). On the 7th day, thiram was stopped in the TD and PTE group, and the PTE group received a normal diet and PTE (30 mg/kg/day). Plastrum testudinis extract significantly restored (p < 0.05) the liver antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, serum biochemicals, GP width, and tibia weight as compared to the TD group. The PTE administration significantly increased (p < 0.05) growth performance, vascularization, AKT (serine/threonine-protein kinase), and PI3K expressions and the number of hepatocytes and chondrocytes with intact nuclei were enhanced. In conclusion, PTE has the potential to heal TD lesions and act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug in chickens exposed to thiram via the upregulation of AKT and PI3K expressions.

Identification of differentially expressed MiRNAs profile in a thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia

Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (thiram) is a dithiocarbamate, which is widely used on seeds and storing food grains. The incorporation of thiram into the food chain could be a risk for both human beings and animals. Thiram-contaminated feed has been considered a common cause of tibial dyschondrolplasia (TD) in many avian species. The molecular mechanism of action of thiram on TD involving microRNA (miRNA) is not fully understood. For this purpose, the morbidity and pathologic changes were evaluated to understand the TD, and high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed to explore the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEGs). RT-qPCR was used to confirm the validity as compared with sequencing data. The results showed that the marked alterations in the growth plate of the TD chickens were noticeable, with shrinking cells and irregular chondrocyte columns as compared with control group. In this study, we identified total 375 (p < 0.1), 340 (p < 0.05) and 266 (p < 0.01) significant DEGs between the TD and control groups. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that the target miRNAs were significantly enriched in different treatment groups, such as apoptosis, mRNA surveillance pathway, mitophagy-animal, etc. This study provides theoretical basis for in-depth understanding the pathogenesis of thiram-induced TD and explore the new insights towards the proposed molecular mechanism of specific miRNA as biomarkers for effective gene diagnosis and treatment of TD in broilers.

Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates Thiram-Induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia by Modulating Caspases, BECN1 Expression and ECM Degradation

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a widely applied traditional Chinese medicine ingredient which can be used for the treatment of osteoporosis. In this experiment, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of chlorogenic acid on thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) and explored the underlying mechanisms that have been rarely mentioned by others yet. Performance indicator analysis and tibial parameter analysis showed that CGA exhibited a definite positive effect on thiram-induced TD chickens. In order to further explore the mechanisms underlying the positive actions of CGA, apoptotic, autophagic genes and MMPs involved in matrix mineralization of growth plate were evaluated in this study. The results showed that CGA decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic genes caspases-3 and caspases-9, leading to the reduction of apoptotic cells accumulated in growth plate. In addition, CGA also increased the level of BECN1, an important gene involved in autophagy, which benefits the survival of abnormal cells. Furthermore, CGA also increased the expression of MMP-9, MMP-10, and MMP-13, which can directly affect the ossification of bones. Altogether, these results demonstrate that CGA possesses a positive therapeutic effect on thiram-induced TD via modulating the expression of caspases and BECN1 and regulating the degradation of ECM (extracellular matrix).

Effect of Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae on Tibial Dyschondroplasia by Regulating BMP-2 and Runx2 Expression in Chickens

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is an abnormality of the growth cartilage that occurs in chickens and other rapidly growing avian species. This disease not only cause huge economic losses, but also greatly affects animal welfare. The total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae (TFRD) has been used to cure wide variety of diseases including bone fractures and osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. However, less information is available about the using of TFRD against the TD. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of TFRD on TD by regulating BMP-2 and Runx2 in chickens. A total of 200 birds were randomly divided into control, TD, TD recovery (TDR), and TFRD groups. All the groups were given standard diet with an addition of thiram (50 mg/kg) from days 3 to 7 in TD, TDR, and TFRD groups in order to induce TD in chickens. After the induction of TD, the birds of TFRD group were fed standard diet with the addition of TFRD at 20 mg/kg. Clinical results conveyed that TFRD can improve the growth performance of the TD chickens and recover normal activity, and it is more obvious than TDR. Gene expressions of BMP-2 and Runx2 were down-regulated during the development of the disease and were up-regulated obviously after TFRD treatment. In conclusion, TFRD not only decreased the mortality rate but also increased the growth performance of TD in chickens. In conclusion, TFRD plays important role in improving the growth performance, adjusting the relevant physiological indicators, and regulating BMP-2 and Runx2 in chickens.