Effects of α-dicarbonyl compounds on cell viability in chicken myoblasts

Alpha-dicarbonyl compounds (α-DCs), such as glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MGO), are highly reactive compounds produced from glucose through various chemical reactions. Diabetic patients with chronic hyperglycemia exhibit higher blood concentrations of GO and MGO than healthy individuals. GO and MGO are cytotoxic to various mammalian cells and are associated with diabetic complications. Given that chickens are hyperglycemic animals, they would possess high levels of GO and MGO in their blood. However, the cytotoxic effects of GO and MGO have not been elucidated in chicken cells. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effects of GO and MGO on the viability of chicken myoblasts. The two α-DCs decreased the level of intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form), which is an indicator of cell viability, cell proliferation, and energy metabolism. However, neither of the two α-DCs induced apoptotic cell death, production of reactive oxygen species, or lipid peroxidation. In addition, GO and MGO did not induce mitochondrial dysfunction. The present study demonstrated that GO and MGO would have adverse effects on myogenesis in chickens.