Protective Roles of Sodium Selenite against Aflatoxin B₁-Induced Apoptosis of Jejunum in Broilers

摘要

The effects of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) exposure and sodium selenite supplementation on cell apoptosis of jejunum in broilers were studied. A total of 240 one-day-old male AA broilers were randomly assigned four dietary treatments containing 0 mg/kg of AFB₁ (control), 0.3 mg/kg AFB₁ (AFB₁), 0.4 mg/kg supplement Se (+ Se) and 0.3 mg/kg AFB₁ + 0.4 mg/kg supplement Se (AFB₁ + Se), respectively. Compared with the control broilers, the number of apoptotic cells, the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA were significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio were significantly decreased in AFB₁ broilers. The number of apoptotic cells and the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in AFB₁ + Se broilers were significantly higher than those in the control broilers, but significantly lower than those in AFB₁ broilers. There were no significant changes in the expression of Bax mRNA between AFB₁ + Se and control broilers; the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in AFB₁ + Se broilers were significantly lower than those in the control broilers, but significantly higher than those in AFB₁ broilers. In conclusion, 0.3 mg/kg AFB₁ in the diet can increase cell apoptosis, decrease Bcl-2 mRNA expression, and increase of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA expression in broiler’s jejunum. However, supplementation of dietary sodium selenite at the concentration of 0.4 mg/kg Se may ameliorate AFB₁-induced apoptosis by increasing Bcl-2 mRNA expression, and decreasing Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA expression.