Multi-omics reveals the protective effects of curcumin against AFB1-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory damage in duckling intestines

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology 2024-02, Vol.276, p.109815-109815, Article 109815
• Main Authors: Jiang, Xuanxuan, Liu, Haiyan, You, Yanli, Zhong, Gaolong, Ruan, Zhiyan, Liao, Jianzhao, Zhang, Hui, Pan, Jiaqiang, Tang, Zhaoxin, Hu, Lianmei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aflatoxin B1; Curcumin; Duck; Intestine; Multi-omics
• ISSN: 1532-0456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109815

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most prevalent and toxic class of aflatoxins, which is considered a significant risk factor for food safety. Curcumin, a phytoconstituent with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has potential therapeutic value for intestinal inflammatory diseases. In this study, the duckling model susceptible to AFB1 was selected for toxicity testing, aiming to explore the effect of curcumin on AFB1 enterotoxicity and its possible mechanism of action. The results showed that curcumin promoted the growth and development of ducklings and mitigated the changes in morphology and permeability serological index (DAO and D-LA) after AFB1 exposure. Curcumin also mitigated AFB1-induced oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2 pathway, and ameliorated intestinal inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB/IκB signaling pathway and boosting intestinal autophagy. In terms of gut flora and their metabolites, we found that curcumin supplementation significantly increased the intestinal flora's abundance index and diversity index compared to the AFB1 group, mitigating the decline in the abundance of Actinobacteria and the rise in that of harmful bacteria Clostridia. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that the protective effect of curcumin on the intestine was mainly through the regulation of AFB1-induced disorders of lipid metabolism, involving linoleic acid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. Overall, the enteroprotective effects of curcumin may be of significant value in the future for treating chronic AFB1 poisoning and also provide new therapeutic ideas for other mycotoxicosis. [Display omitted] •AFB1 exposure induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal microflora disorders in the jejunum of ducks.•Curcumin alleviates enterotoxicity induced by AFB1 on ducks•Curcumin activates Nrf2 pathway and autophagy, inhibits NF-κB/IκB pathway, and improves jejunal microflora and metabolic disorders.