Selenium and/or vitamin E upregulate the antioxidant gene expression and parameters in broilers

Background In contrast to free radicals, the first line of protection is assumed to be vitamin E and selenium. The present protocol was designed to assess the roles of vitamin E and/or a selenium-rich diet that affected the blood iron and copper concentrations, liver tissue antioxidant and lipid peroxidation, and gene expression linked to antioxidants in the liver tissue of broilers. The young birds were classified according to the dietary supplement into four groups; control, vitamin E (100 mg Vitamin/kg diet), selenium (0.3 mg sodium selenite/kg diet), and vitamin E pulse selenium (100 mg vitamin/kg diet with 0.3 mg sodium selenite/kg diet) group. Results The results of this experiment suggested that the addition of vitamin E with selenium in the broiler diet significantly increased (P <= 0.05) serum iron when compared with the other groups and serum copper when compared with the vitamin E group. Moreover, the supplements (vitamin E or vitamin E with selenium) positively affected the enzymatic activity of the antioxidant-related enzymes with decreased malondialdehyde (MDA),which represents lipid peroxidation in broiler liver tissue. Moreover, the two supplements significantly upregulated genes expression related to antioxidants. Conclusion Therefore, vitamin E and/or selenium can not only act as exogenous antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals and superoxide, but also act as gene regulators, regulating the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

Automated summary

The addition of vitamin E with selenium in broiler diet led to significant increases in serum iron and copper concentrations, decreased malondialdehyde levels in liver tissue, improved enzymatic activity of antioxidant-related enzymes, and upregulated gene expressions related to antioxidants. Vitamin E and/or selenium not only act as exogenous antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage, but also play a role as gene regulators in regulating the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.