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Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals

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A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 60779

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Prof. Dr. Peter F. Surai

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Vitagene and Health Research Centre, 53 Dongola Road, Ayr KA7 3BN, UK
Interests: vitamin E; Se; carotenoids; carnitine; betaine; vitagenes; stress adaptaion
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The detrimental and beneficial roles of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in various biological systems have received great attention over the last 20 years. In particular, the signaling roles of RONS, especially H₂O₂, in cell adaptation to stress have become a focus of current research. In this regard, it is necessary to mention that commercial poultry/animal production is associated with a range of stresses, which cannot be avoided due to technological restrictions and financial reasons. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of redox homeostasis maintenance in poultry and farm animals and determining effective means of mitigating redox stress through nutritional modulation are important topics. In this regard, advances in redox biology achieved in basic science should be transferred and applied to poultry and farm/domestic animal nutrition.

This Special Issue of Antioxidants aims to present the latest research on the molecular mechanisms of stress-related disturbances as well as antioxidant defences and redox homeostasis in poultry/avian species and farm animals. Special attention will be paid to the development and use of nutrition-based strategies involving natural antioxidants (singly or in combination) to deal with oxidative stress and its consequences.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress development in avian biology and animal production;
Thiol-based redox systems in avian species and farm animals;
Development of adaptive homeostasis in avian species and farm animals;
Redox disturbances in the gut and tissues due to dietary mycotoxins and search for effective means for their prevention/treatment;
The roles of antioxidant defences, redox balance, and inflammation in poultry/animal health;
Redox biology and its roles in the avian/farm animal immune system;
Antioxidant defences, redox homeostasis, and resistance to viral challenges;
Vitagenes in avian biology and animal production;
New entrants into the antioxidant family (taurine, carnitine, silymarin, etc.) and their roles in antistress strategies;
Dietary modulation of the antioxidant defence network in avian species and farm animals.

Prof. Dr. Peter F. Surai
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

8 pages, 706 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals

by Peter F. Surai and Katie Earle-Payne

Antioxidants 2022, 11(5), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051012 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3237

Abstract

For many years reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in biological systems has been considered to be detrimental [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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Research

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22 pages, 1762 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows

by Mekonnen Tilahun, Liansheng Zhao, Lingling Sun, Yifan Shen, Lu Ma, Todd R. Callaway, Jianchu Xu and Dengpan Bu

Antioxidants 2022, 11(3), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11030485 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6362

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a diet supplemented with fresh amla fruit as a natural feed additive on blood metabolic parameters, milk antioxidant capacity, and milk fatty acid (FA) proportions in lactating dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation dairy cows were used in a repeated crossover design. The first group of four cows received total mixed ration (TMR) feed without fresh amla fruit (control group). The remaining four cows sequentially supplemented fresh amla fruit (FAF) at three levels (200, 400, then 600 g/d) (treatment group) at 14-day intervals. In second period, control and treatment groups were exchanged. The first ten days were adjusted to diet adaptation for each sub-period, and the last four days for sampling milk and blood. A total of 514 metabolites were detected from FAF using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The five main metabolites in FAF were phenolic acids (22%), flavonoids (20%), lipids (20%), amino acids and derivatives (9%), and tannins (7%). Amla fruit supplementation reduced total saturated fatty acid and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio at 200 or 400 g/d FAF dose compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased unsaturated FA, such as C_20:5 (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C_22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), and branched-chain FA in a dose-dependent manner at 200 or 400 g/d compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased the antioxidant capacity biomarkers in the blood, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and albumin; this confirms that amla fruit is an excellent antioxidant, inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) metabolism, and can thereby protect cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, the most remarkable improvement of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk was recorded at 400 g/d FAF doses compared to controls. Therefore, fresh amla fruit doses for lactating cows at 400 g/d on an as-fed basis can be used as an alternative additive feed in dairy cow diets to improve antioxidant capacity, protein efficiency, butter quality, and to produce more desirable milk fatty acid profiles for human consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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10 pages, 823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxidative Stability, Carcass Traits, and Muscle Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Profiles in Heat-Stressed Broiler Chickens

by Mahmoud S. El-Tarabany, Omar A. Ahmed-Farid, Mohamed Abdo Nassan and Ayman S. Salah

Antioxidants 2021, 10(11), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10111725 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2791

Abstract

The objective was to elucidate the effects of chronic heat stress on carcass traits, muscle oxidative stability, muscle fatty acids and amino acid profiles in broiler chickens. A total of 100-day-old male Ross broiler chicks were divided into two equal groups of five replicates. The control group (TN) was maintained on a thermoneutral condition, while the experimental group (HS) was subjected to 8 h of heat stress (34 °C). The HS group showed lower dressing percentage and breast yield compared with the TN group (p = 0.040 and 0.042, respectively). Meanwhile, heat stress significantly increased the percentage of abdominal fat in broiler chickens (p = 0.001). The HS group showed significantly lower levels of PUFA (linoleic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic) in the breast (p = 0.003, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively) and thigh (p = 0.001, 0.009 and 0.003, respectively) muscles than did the TN group. The levels of α-lenolinec acid in the breast and thigh muscles did not differ between both experimental groups (p = 0.818 and 0.060, respectively). With exception of threonine, tyrosine and phenylalanine, the levels of essential AA in the breast muscles were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) reduced in the HS group. The HS group showed significantly higher concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the breast muscles (p = 0.032). Meanwhile, the concentration of MDA in the thigh muscles did not differ between both experimental groups (p = 0.149). Furthermore, the HS group showed significantly lower superoxide dismutase and catalase in heart tissues (p = 0.005 and 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, chronic thermal stress deteriorates carcass yield and the oxidative stability of breast muscles, as well as the levels of PUFA and essential AA in broiler chickens. However, the oxidative stability of thigh muscles was not affected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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15 pages, 3179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organic Acids Improve Growth Performance with Potential Regulation of Redox Homeostasis, Immunity, and Microflora in Intestines of Weaned Piglets

by Xin-Dong Xiang, Zhang-Chao Deng, You-Wei Wang, Hua Sun, Li Wang, Yan-Ming Han, Yuan-Yuan Wu, Jian-Gao Liu and Lv-Hui Sun

Antioxidants 2021, 10(11), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10111665 - 22 Oct 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3480

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of organic acids on piglet growth performance and health status. A total of 360 weanling pigs (5.3 ± 0.6 kg) were randomly allotted to 3 treatment groups with 12 replicates of 10 pigs/pen. Piglets were fed the same basal diet and given either water (control) or water plus 2.0 L/Ton organic acid (OA) blends, such as OA1 or OA2, respectively, for 7 weeks. Compared to the control, OA1 and OA2 improved growth performance and/or reduced the piglets’ diarrhea rate during the various periods and improved small intestinal morphology at days 14 and/or 49. OA1 and OA2 also increased serum CAT and SOD activities and/or T-AOC and, as expected, decreased MDA concentration. Moreover, at day 14 and/or day 49, OA1 and OA2 increased the jejunal mRNA levels of host defense peptides (PBD1, PBD2, NPG1, and NPG3) and tight junction genes (claudin-1) and decreased that of cytokines (IL-1β and IL-2). Additionally, the two acidifiers regulated the abundance of several cecum bacterial genera, including Blautia, Bulleidia, Coprococcus, Dorea, Eubacterium, Subdoligranulum, and YRC2. In conclusion, both of the organic acid blends improved piglet growth performance and health status, potentially by regulating intestinal redox homeostasis, immunity, and microflora. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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13 pages, 2329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydroxy-Selenomethionine Improves the Selenium Status and Helps to Maintain Broiler Performances under a High Stocking Density and Heat Stress Conditions through a Better Redox and Immune Response

by Hua Sun, Ling Zhao, Zi-Jian Xu, Michele De Marco, Mickael Briens, Xiang-Hua Yan and Lv-Hui Sun

Antioxidants 2021, 10(10), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10101542 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3482

Abstract

This study has determined whether hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) exerts a better protective action on broilers against environmental stress than sodium selenite (SS) or seleno-yeast (SY). Day-old male Cobb 500 broilers (12 cages/diet, 9 broilers/cage) were fed a selenium (Se)-deficient diet (0.047 mg/kg) supplemented with SS, SY or OH-SeMet at 0.3 mg Se/kg under a high stocking density and heat stress condition for six weeks. OH-SeMet improved the FCR and Se concentration in the tissues than SS and SY. SY and OH-SeMet both reduced the serum cortisol, T3, IL-6, IgA, IgM and LPS, more than SS, while only OH-SeMet further increased IL-10 and IgG. SY and OH-SeMet improved the intestinal morphology and increased the T-AOC, TXRND, SELENON and OCCLUDIN activities but decreased CLAUDIN2 in the jejunum than SS, while OH-SeMet further improved these values than SY. SY and OH-SeMet both increased SELENOS and TXNRD2 in the muscles than SS, and OH-SeMet further raised T-AOC, GPX4, SELENOP, SELENOW and TXNRD1, and reduced malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in the muscles than SS and SY. OH-SeMet showed a better ability to maintain the performance and the redox and immune status of broilers under a high stocking density and heat stress challenge than SS and SY. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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10 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Fusarium Mycotoxin Exposure on Lipid Peroxidation and Glutathione Redox System in the Liver of Laying Hens

by Szabina Kulcsár, Benjámin Kövesi, Krisztián Balogh, Erika Zándoki, Zsolt Ancsin, Balláné Erdélyi Márta and Miklós Mézes

Antioxidants 2021, 10(8), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10081313 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

It has been proven by several studies that Fusarium mycotoxins induce oxidative stress in animals, consequently inducing lipid peroxidation, which the glutathione system can neutralize. A short-term (3-day) in vivo feeding trial was performed with laying hens using a double dose of the EU recommendation for mycotoxin contamination (T-2 toxin 0.5 mg/kg feed; deoxynivalenol (DON) 10 mg/kg feed; fumonisin B₁ (FB1) 40 mg/kg feed). Some lipid peroxidation and glutathione redox system parameters and gene expression levels were measured in the liver. The results show that FB1 significantly decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) content and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) compared to the control and the two other mycotoxin-treated groups on day 3. Lipid peroxidation was affected by all three mycotoxins. Significantly lower values were observed in the case of conjugated dienes for all of the three mycotoxins and malondialdehyde concentration as an effect of DON on day 3. T-2 toxin and DON upregulated the expression of the GPX4 gene. The results show that Fusarium mycotoxins had different effects at the end of the trial. The FB1 exposure caused a decrease in the glutathione redox markers, while DON decreased the formation of malondialdehyde. The results suggest that the Fusarium mycotoxins investigated individually differently activated the antioxidant defense and caused low-level oxidative stress at the dose applied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

11 pages, 1187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Curcumin Improves Energy Metabolism, Brain Monoamines, Carcass Traits, Muscle Oxidative Stability and Fatty Acid Profile in Heat-Stressed Broiler Chickens

by Ayman S. Salah, Omar A. Ahmed-Farid, Mohamed Abdo Nassan and Mahmoud S. El-Tarabany

Antioxidants 2021, 10(8), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10081265 - 9 Aug 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4209

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the impacts of dietary curcumin supplementation on energy metabolism, brain monoamines and muscle oxidative stability in heat-stressed broilers. In total, 120 day-old chicks were allocated into three equal groups of four replicates. The first group (T₁) was maintained on a thermoneutral condition, while the second group (T₂) was subjected to 8 h of thermal stress (34 °C), and both groups fed the basal diet with no supplement. The third group (T₃) was exposed to the same thermal stress conditions and fed the basal diet supplemented with curcumin (100 mg kg⁻¹ diet). The dietary curcumin supplementation significantly increased the breast yield (p = 0.004), but reduced the percentage of abdominal fat (p = 0.017) compared with the T₂ group. The addition of curcumin to broiler diets significantly improved the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in breast and thigh muscles compared with the T₂ group (p < 0.05). The curcumin-supplemented group showed significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde in the breast and thigh muscles than that of the T₂ group (p = 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). The dietary curcumin supplementation significantly improved the levels of ATP and CoQ10 in liver tissues (p = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively) and brain serotonin (p = 0.006) as compared to the T2 group. Meanwhile, the heat-stressed group showed significantly higher levels of ADP and Na,K-ATPase in the liver tissues than that of the other experimental groups (p = 0.011 and 0.027, respectively). It could be concluded that dietary curcumin supplementation may improve carcass yield, energy biomarkers, brain serotonin and muscle oxidative stability of heat-stressed broiler chickens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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9 pages, 1505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigation of Aflatoxin B₁ Hepatoxicity by Dietary Hedyotis diffusa Is Associated with Activation of NRF2/ARE Signaling in Chicks

by Ling Zhao, Jiang Deng, Zi-Jian Xu, Wan-Po Zhang, Mahmoud Mohamed Khalil, Niel Alexander Karrow and Lv-Hui Sun

Antioxidants 2021, 10(6), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10060878 - 30 May 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3718

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the mechanism of Hedyotis diffusa (HD) in mediating the detoxification of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-induced hepatic injury in chicks. A total of 144 one-day-old male broilers (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 6 cages/diet, 6 chicks/cage). After three days of acclimation, the broilers were fed either a control diet (Control), Control plus 0.5 mg/kg of AFB₁, or Control plus 0.5 mg/kg AFB₁ with 500 or 1000 mg/kg HD for two weeks. Both serum and liver were collected at the end of the feeding trial for biochemistry, histology, and NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2 (NRF2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling analysis. Compared with Control, the AFB₁ treatment caused liver injury and decreased (p < 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and serum albumin and total protein by 6.2–20.7%. AFB₁ also induced swelling, necrosis, and severe vacuolar degeneration in chicks’ livers. Notably, HD supplementation at 500 and 1000 mg/kg mitigated (p < 0.05) the alterations induced by AFB₁. HD supplementation alleviated (p < 0.05) AFB₁-induced impairment in hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity, protein carbonyl, and exo-AFB₁-8,9-epoxide (AFBO)–DNA concentrations by 57.7–100% and increased (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase by 23.1–40.9% more than those of AFB₁ treatment alone. Furthermore, HD supplementation at the two doses upregulated (p < 0.05) NRF2, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1, heme oxygenase-1, glutathione cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and glutathione-S transferase A2 and A3 in livers relative to the AFB₁ group by 0.99–3.4-fold. Overall, dietary supplementation of HD at a high dose displayed better protection effects against aflatoxicosis. In conclusion, a dietary HD supplementation at 500 and 1000 mg/kg protected broilers from AFB₁-induced hepatotoxicity, potentially due to the activation of NRF2/ARE signaling in the chicks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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16 pages, 3361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supplemental Microalgal DHA and Astaxanthin Affect Astaxanthin Metabolism and Redox Status of Juvenile Rainbow Trout

by Kun Wu, Beth M. Cleveland, Mark Portman, Wendy M. Sealey and Xin Gen Lei

Antioxidants 2021, 10(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010016 - 27 Dec 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3747

Abstract

Microalgal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and astaxanthin (AST) may substitute for fish oil and synthetic AST in aquafeeds. This study explored the effects and mechanisms of those substitutions on AST metabolism and redox status of rainbow trout fed plant protein meal (PM)- or fishmeal (FM)-based diets. Two parallel experiments (PM vs. FM) were performed with 612 juvenile rainbow trout for 16 weeks as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two AST sources (synthetic (SA) vs. microalgal (AA), at 80 mg/kg) and three levels (0, 50, and 100%) of fish oil substitutions with DHA-rich microalgae. The fish oil substitutions exhibit main effects (p < 0.05) and/or interactive effects (p < 0.05) with the source of AST on AST deposition, malondialdehyde and glutathione concentrations, and mRNA levels and activities of major redox enzymes (glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the muscle and liver of trout fed both diet series. The AST source produced only differences in tissue AST deposition (p < 0.05) and number of metabolites. In conclusion, the substitutions of fish oil by the DHA-rich microalgae exerted more impacts than those of SA by AA on redox status and functional expression of antioxidant enzymes in the tissues of rainbow trout. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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Review

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17 pages, 316 KiB

Open AccessReview

Supplementation of Avian Semen Extenders with Antioxidants to Improve Semen Quality—Is It an Effective Strategy?

by Agnieszka Partyka and Wojciech Niżański

Antioxidants 2021, 10(12), 1927; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121927 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 4085

Abstract

Oxidative stress in sperm is a phenomenon related to the increasing rate of oxidation of cellular components and the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in bird sperm cell membranes renders these cells particularly susceptible to lipid peroxidation (LPO). Therefore, to ensure the proper functioning of cells, it is necessary to have a balance between the formation of ROS and the protective action of the antioxidant system. This review aims firstly to briefly introduce the antioxidant system characteristics of avian semen. Secondly, we summarize the recent knowledge regarding progress in extender supplementation using antioxidants and other compounds to improve avian semen quality parameters and fertility rates. The review focuses on enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, some plant extracts, and other compounds that can be used to supplement the extenders to reduce the formation of oxidants in poultry semen and maintain its quality and enhance its fertility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

21 pages, 377 KiB

Open AccessReview

Oxidative Stress in Dairy Cows: Insights into the Mechanistic Mode of Actions and Mitigating Strategies

by Aurele Gnetegha Ayemele, Mekonnen Tilahun, Sun Lingling, Samy Abdelaziz Elsaadawy, Zitai Guo, Gaojuan Zhao, Jianchu Xu and Dengpan Bu

Antioxidants 2021, 10(12), 1918; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121918 - 29 Nov 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6790

Abstract

This review examines several molecular mechanisms underpinning oxidative stress in ruminants and their effects on blood and milk oxidative traits. We also investigate strategies to alleviate or repair oxidative damages by improving animal immune functions using novel feed additives. Microbial pathogenic cells, feeding management, and body condition score were some of the studied factors, inducing oxidative stress in ruminants. The predominance of Streptococcus spp. (24.22%), Acinetobacter spp. (21.37%), Romboutsia spp. (4.99%), Turicibacter spp., (2.64%), Stenotrophomonas spp. (2.33%), and Enterococcus spp. (1.86%) was found in the microbiome of mastitis cows with a decrease of d-mannose and increase of xanthine:guanine ratio when Streptococcus increased. Diversity of energy sources favoring the growth of Fusobacterium make it a keystone taxon contributing to metritis. Ruminal volatile fatty acids rose with high-concentrate diets that decreased the ruminal pH, causing a lysis of rumen microbes and release of endotoxins. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increased in high concentrate cows accompanied by a reduction of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity. In addition, albumin and paraoxonase concentrations were inversely related to oxidative stress and contributed to the protection of low-density and high-density lipoproteins against lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, and lactoperoxidase. High concentrate diets increased the expression of MAPK pro-inflammatory genes and decreased the expression of antioxidant genes and proteins in mammary epithelial tissues. The expression levels of NrF2, NQO1, MT1E, UGT1A1, MGST3, and MT1A were downregulated, whereas NF-kB was upregulated with a high-grain or high concentrate diet. Amino-acids, vitamins, trace elements, and plant extracts have shown promising results through enhancing immune functions and repairing damaged cells exposed to oxidative stress. Further studies comparing the long-term effect of synthetic feed additives and natural plant additives on animal health and physiology remain to be investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

37 pages, 821 KiB

Open AccessReview

Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Protective Action in Various Toxicological Models

by Peter F. Surai, Katie Earle-Payne and Michael T. Kidd

Antioxidants 2021, 10(12), 1876; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121876 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 91 | Viewed by 8003

Abstract

Natural antioxidants have received tremendous attention over the last 3 decades. At the same time, the attitude to free radicals is slowly changing, and their signalling role in adaptation to stress has recently received a lot of attention. Among many different antioxidants in the body, taurine (Tau), a sulphur-containing non-proteinogenic β-amino acid, is shown to have a special place as an important natural modulator of the antioxidant defence networks. Indeed, Tau is synthesised in most mammals and birds, and the Tau requirement is met by both synthesis and food/feed supply. From the analysis of recent data, it could be concluded that the direct antioxidant effect of Tau due to scavenging free radicals is limited and could be expected only in a few mammalian/avian tissues (e.g., heart and eye) with comparatively high (>15–20 mM) Tau concentrations. The stabilising effects of Tau on mitochondria, a prime site of free radical formation, are characterised and deserve more attention. Tau deficiency has been shown to compromise the electron transport chain in mitochondria and significantly increase free radical production. It seems likely that by maintaining the optimal Tau status of mitochondria, it is possible to control free radical production. Tau’s antioxidant protective action is of great importance in various stress conditions in human life, and is related to commercial animal and poultry production. In various in vitro and in vivo toxicological models, Tau showed AO protective effects. The membrane-stabilizing effects, inhibiting effects on ROS-producing enzymes, as well as the indirect AO effects of Tau via redox balance maintenance associated with the modulation of various transcription factors (e.g., Nrf2 and NF-κB) and vitagenes could also contribute to its protective action in stress conditions, and thus deserve more attention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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50 pages, 3595 KiB

Open AccessReview

Redox Homeostasis in Poultry: Regulatory Roles of NF-κB

by Peter F. Surai, Ivan I. Kochish and Michael T. Kidd

Antioxidants 2021, 10(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10020186 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 5732

Abstract

Redox biology is a very quickly developing area of modern biological sciences, and roles of redox homeostasis in health and disease have recently received tremendous attention. There are a range of redox pairs in the cells/tissues responsible for redox homeostasis maintenance/regulation. In general, all redox elements are interconnected and regulated by various means, including antioxidant and vitagene networks. The redox status is responsible for maintenance of cell signaling and cell stress adaptation. Physiological roles of redox homeostasis maintenance in avian species, including poultry, have received limited attention and are poorly characterized. However, for the last 5 years, this topic attracted much attention, and a range of publications covered some related aspects. In fact, transcription factor Nrf2 was shown to be a master regulator of antioxidant defenses via activation of various vitagenes and other protective molecules to maintain redox homeostasis in cells/tissues. It was shown that Nrf2 is closely related to another transcription factor, namely, NF-κB, responsible for control of inflammation; however, its roles in poultry have not yet been characterized. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe a current view on NF-κB functioning in poultry with a specific emphasis to its nutritional modulation under various stress conditions. In particular, on the one hand, it has been shown that, in many stress conditions in poultry, NF-κB activation can lead to increased synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines leading to systemic inflammation. On the other hand, there are a range of nutrients/supplements that can downregulate NF-κB and decrease the negative consequences of stress-related disturbances in redox homeostasis. In general, vitagene–NF-κB interactions in relation to redox balance homeostasis, immunity, and gut health in poultry production await further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Defences and Redox Homeostasis in Animals)

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