Effects of aflatoxin, fumonisin and total curcuminoids administration, alone or in combination, on the gene expression in the liver of broiler chicken

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that grow naturally in foodstuffs, and are capable of generating a wide variety of toxic effects on vertebrate animals, including humans. Aflatoxins and fumonisins are major types of mycotoxins occurring worldwide. Exposure to the toxins occurs predominantly by the ingestion of contaminated food, especially cereals used in the preparation of animal feed. It is important to emphasize that the processing and storage of grain may alter the microbiota, however mycotoxins remain in the product due to their chemical stability. The use of antioxidants is one of the techniques available to reduce or prevent the deleterious effects of mycotoxins. Turmeric and its active ingredient curcumin is marketed widely in the western world as a dietary supplement for the treatment and prevention of a variety of disorders, including inflammation, and arthritis. Other proposed uses of curcumin include treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, cancer prevention, cataract prevention, high cholesterol, liver protection, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. The objective of this research project is to evaluate the efficacy of total curcuminoids (TCMN), antioxidants found in turmeric powder (Curcuma longa), to ameliorate changes in gene expression in liver of broiler chicks fed aflatoxin and fumonisin, using the following treatments (T): T1 (control): 0 AFB1 + 0 FB1 + 0 TCMN; T2: 0 AFB1 + 0 FB1 + 100 mg/kg TCMN; T3: 0 AFB1 + 20 mg/kg FB1 + 0 TCMN; T4: 0 AFB1 + 20 mg/kg FB1 + 100 mg/kg TCMN; T5: 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 + 0 FB1 + 0 TCMN; T6: 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 + 0 FB1 + 100 mg/kg TCMN; T7: 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 + 20 mg/kg FB1 + 0 TCMN; T8: 1.0 mg/kg AFB1 + 20 mg/kg FB1 + 100 mg/kg TCMN. (AU)