Quercetin protects the liver of broiler chicken against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by ochratoxin A

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) 2024-11, Vol.251, p.108160, Article 108160
• Main Authors: Khalaf, Abdel Azeim A., Elhady, Mohamed A., Ibrahim, Marwa A., Hassanen, Eman I., Abdelrahman, Rehab E., Noshy, Peter A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Flavonoids; Hepatotoxicity; Mycotoxins; Oxidative stress; PTEN
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108160

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that causes major health concerns in human and animals. Quercetin (QUE) is a flavonoid that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. This report aims to investigate the ameliorative effects of QUE against OTA-induced hepatotoxicity in broiler chicken. Forty broiler chicks were equally allocated into 4 groups: Group I (control), Group II (OTA), Group III (QUE) and Group IV (OTA + QUE). OTA (0.5 mg/kg) and QUE (0.5 g/kg) were incorporated into the chicken feed for 42 days. The results presented a significant decrease in body weight and elevation in feed conversion ratio, and a significant elevation of the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes in the OTA birds. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in catalase activity and reduced glutathione content and a significant elevation in malondialdehyde level in the liver of OTA-exposed birds. Various hepatocellular lesions were also noticed in the OTA-exposed birds. OTA exposure up-regulated the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and the pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulated the anti-apoptotic genes in the liver. The addition of QUE ameliorated most of the hepatotoxic effects of OTA. [Display omitted] •Ochratoxin A increased feed conversion ratio and activity of liver enzymes in serum of broiler chicken.•Ochratoxin A decreased catalase activity and reduced glutathione level and induced various hepatic pathological lesions.•Ochratoxin An upregulated the expression of proapoptotic genes in hepatic tissue.•Quercetin induced potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities.•Quercetin ameliorated ochratoxin A-induced toxic effects in broiler chicken liver.