Effect of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)-Enriched Diet on Hepatic Heat Shock Protein and Lipid Metabolism-Related Genes in Heat Stressed Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) has been reported to alter fat deposition in broilers, however the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well-defined. The objectives of the current study were, therefore: (1) to determine the effects of acute (2 h) and chronic (3 weeks) HS on the expression of key molecular signatures involved in hepatic lipogenic and lipolytic programs, and (2) to assess if diet supplementation with dried Noni medicinal plant (0.2% of the diet) modulates these effects. Broilers (480 males, 1 d) were randomly assigned to 12 environmental chambers, subjected to two environmental conditions (heat stress, HS, 35°C vs. thermoneutral condition, TN, 24°C) and fed two diets (control vs. Noni) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Feed intake and body weights were recorded, and blood and liver samples were collected at 2 h and 3 weeks post-heat exposure. HS depressed feed intake, reduced body weight, and up regulated the hepatic expression of heat shock protein HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 as well as key lipogenic proteins (fatty acid synthase, FASN; acetyl co-A carboxylase alpha, ACCα and ATP citrate lyase, ACLY). HS down regulated the hepatic expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triacylglycerol lipase (LIPC), but up-regulated ATGL. Although it did not affect growth performance, Noni supplementation regulated the hepatic expression of lipogenic proteins in a time- and gene-specific manner. Prior to HS, Noni increased ACLY and FASN in the acute and chronic experimental conditions, respectively. During acute HS, Noni increased ACCα, but reduced FASN and ACLY expression. Under chronic HS, Noni up regulated ACCα and FASN but it down regulated ACLY. In vitro studies, using chicken hepatocyte cell lines, showed that HS down-regulated the expression of ACCα, FASN, and ACLY. Treatment with quercetin, one bioactive ingredient in Noni, up-regulated the expression of ACCα, FASN, and ACLY under TN conditions, but it appeared to down-regulate ACCα and increase ACLY levels under HS exposure. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HS induces hepatic lipogenesis in chickens and this effect is probably mediated via HSPs. The modulation of hepatic HSP expression suggest also that Noni might be involved in modulating the stress response in chicken liver.

Liver Transcriptome Changes of Hyla Rabbit in Response to Chronic Heat Stress

“…ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the generation of acetyl-CoA for both fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis is involved in do novo lipogenesis pathway [26]. And heat stress result in hepatic expression of key lipogenic proteins and increased ACLY expression in chicken [27]. The lanosterol synthase (LSS) is a well-known enzyme within the pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis, which catalyzes the reaction of conversion from 2,3-oxide-squalene to lanosterol [28].…”

Potential of Morinda (Morinda citrifolia L.) products as alternative to chemical additives in poultry diets

“…In a study with heat stressed broilers, [60] found no effects of 2 g/kg dried Morinda fruit powderon feed intake and growth, but the supplementation improved the hepatic expression of heat shock protein in a time-specific manner, suggesting and egg production in Japanese quails. According to Sunder et al [65],there is a synergistic effect between Morinda extract and lactobacillus in terms of body weight gain, feed efficiency, immunomodulation and reduction of gut E. coli count in poultry, confirming the antimicrobial activity of Morinda products.…”

“…Morinda supplementation showed immunomodulatory effects by increasing total leucocytes and inducing greater oxidative burst intensity by the primary neutrophil concentration, which improved resistance of cattle to disease in a high-risk population [7]. Quercetins, a bioactive ingredient in Morinda [59] has heat stress mediating effects in poultry [60]. According to Hong et al [14] the immune enhancing activity of noni fruit extract is due to its modulatory effect on immune cells, induction of the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes and inhibition of the expression of interleukin (IL10).The concentration of phytoconstituents in Morinda depends on several factors including the plant part and stage of maturity [61,62].…”

“…Fruit powder 2 g/kg diet Improved hepatic expression of heat shock protein in broilers. [60] 150 g/kg diet Improved body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency in Japanese quails. [68] 50 g/kg diet Increased HDL/LDL ratio and reduced plasma triglycerides in broilers.…”

Dietary vegetable oils inclusion on the performance, hormonal levels and hsp 70 gene expression in broilers under heat stress

“…An interesting study showed that heat stress could up regulate the hepatic expression of heat shock protein in broilers. Also reported that heat stress induced the hepatic lipogenesis in chickens and they mentioned that this effect probably mediated by heat shock protein (Flees et al, 2017). In the literature there was no information concerning the effects of dietary oils inclusion on heat shock proteins and blood lipid attributes.…”