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Lycopene-mediated mitigation of cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers is associated with restoring mitochondrial
Haodong Wang1, Zhi Lu2, Gongyin Chen3
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Abstract:
Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant with high bioaccumulation potential, primarily targeting the kidney by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of lycopene (LYC) against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers. In this study, Arbor Acres broilers were administered Cd-containing diets with or without LYC supplementation for 42 days and then assessed growth performance, serum biochemistry, and renal morphology. The results showed that LYC significantly reversed Cd-induced growth inhibition and renal histopathological damage. Further analysis revealed that the alleviating effect of LYC on Cd-driven renal impairment was linked to the regulation of the mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy. These results suggested that LYC mitigated Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers were associated with the regulating of mitochondrial quality control-related factors and the restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis. Thereby, this study further demonstrates the mechanism by which LYC alleviates Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.
Insights
Lycopene (LYC) protects broilers from cadmium (Cd) kidney damage by improving growth and reducing oxidative stress. LYC restores mitochondrial function and homeostasis, mitigating Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Animal Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic environmental pollutant that accumulates in the body.
- Cd primarily damages the kidneys through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Nephrotoxicity in poultry impacts animal health and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of lycopene (LYC) against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of LYC's protective action.
- To assess LYC's impact on growth, serum biochemistry, and renal health in Cd-exposed broilers.
Main Methods:
- Arbor Acres broilers were fed diets containing cadmium (Cd) with or without lycopene (LYC) supplementation for 42 days.
- Evaluated growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and renal histopathology.
- Analyzed molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy.
Main Results:
- LYC supplementation significantly counteracted Cd-induced growth inhibition.
- LYC reversed Cd-induced renal histopathological damage and improved serum biochemistry.
- LYC modulated mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene effectively mitigates cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers.
- LYC's protective effects are associated with the regulation of mitochondrial quality control.
- This study highlights LYC as a potential therapeutic agent against Cd toxicity in poultry.
