Detection of Aflatoxin adducts as potential markers and the role of curcumin in alleviating AFB1-induced liver damage in chickens

In this study, we identified AFB1 adducts as potential markers and investigated the role of curcumin in alleviating AFB1-induced liver damage by suppressing the production of AFB1 adducts and oxidative stress in AA broilers liver. A total of 64 one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly divided into four groups, including control group, AFB1 group (5 mg/kg AFB1), cur + AFB1 group (300 mg/kg curcumin + 5 mg/kg AFB1) and curcumin group (300 mg/kg). Serum biochemical parameters, liver antioxidant abilities, AFB1 adducts and oxidative stress mechanism were studied in broilers. AFB1 administration accompany with signs of liver injury, including hepatic histological lesions, increased serum enzymes activities, decreased liver antioxidant enzymes activities and the suppression of ROS and 8-OHdG. Meanwhile, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was depressed by AFB1 treatment. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA showed that AFB1 significantly increased AFB1-DNA adduct in liver (p < 0.05) and AFB1-lysine adduct in serum (p < 0.05). Importantly, supplementation of curcumin can ameliorate these alterations. Intriguingly, curcumin alleviated AFB1-induced toxicity and oxidative stress by inhibiting the generation of ROS, 8-OHdG and AFB1 adducts, and activated Nrf2 signaling pathway in broilers. Conclusively, our experiments suggest that curcumin could be considered as a potential agent for prevention of AFB1-induced toxicity and oxidative stress, and AFB1 adducts could be suitable therapeutic targets.