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Taurine Prevents LPS-Induced Liver Injury in Weaned Piglets.
Dong-Dong Zhao1, Jing-Jing Wang1, Jun-Juan Fan2
1Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|July 26, 2022
Summary
Taurine supplementation effectively protected piglets against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury by reducing pathological damage and hepatocyte apoptosis. This study supports taurine as a beneficial feed additive for the porcine industry.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Toxicology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces significant hepatic injury in piglets.
- Understanding the protective mechanisms of feed additives is crucial for animal health.
- Taurine is an amino acid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prophylactic effects of taurine on LPS-induced hepatic injury in piglets.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying taurine's protective action.
- To evaluate taurine as a potential feed additive for improving liver health in swine.
Main Methods:
- Piglets were administered LPS to induce liver injury, with taurine administered as a prophylactic feed additive.
- Histopathological examination (HE staining) assessed liver tissue damage.
- Biochemical assays measured serum ALT, AST, SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, and MDA levels.
- Apoptosis was detected using TUNEL assay.
- Gene and protein expression levels of key inflammatory and apoptotic markers (HO-1, Nrf-2, Bcl2, BAX, Caspase-3, NF-κB p65, TRL4) were analyzed via qPCR and Western blot.
Main Results:
- Taurine significantly reduced LPS-induced pathological liver damage and decreased serum ALT and AST levels.
- Taurine upregulated the expression of HO-1 and Nrf-2, and increased Nrf-2 protein levels.
- Antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX) were elevated, while lipid peroxidation (MDA) was reduced.
- Taurine downregulated pro-apoptotic markers (BAX, Caspase-3) and upregulated anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl2) at the mRNA level.
- Protein levels of TRL4, activated NF-κB, and Caspase-3 were diminished, leading to reduced hepatocyte apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Taurine demonstrates significant hepatoprotective effects against LPS-induced liver injury in piglets.
- The protective mechanism involves the Nrf-2 signaling pathway, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and reduced apoptosis.
- Taurine is a promising feed additive for preventing liver damage and promoting sustainable development in the porcine industry.
