Effect of taurine and gold nanoparticles on the morphological and molecular characteristics of muscle development during chicken embryogenesis

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of taurine and Au nanoparticles on the expression of genes related to embryonic muscle development and on the morphological characteristics of muscles. Fertilised chicken eggs (n = 160) were randomly divided into four groups: without injection (Control) and with injection of Au nanoparticles (NanoAu), taurine (Tau) or Au nanoparticles with taurine (NanoAu + Tau). The experimental solutions were given in ovo, on the third day of incubation, by injecting 0.3 ml of the experimental solution into the air sack. The embryos were evaluated on the 20th day of incubation. The methods included gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels, immunohistochemistry, histology and microscopy. In groups NanoAu, Tau and NanoAu + Tau, the muscle structure and the number of muscle cells were affected. Furthermore, taurine increased fibre diameter, the total number of nuclei, the proportion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells and the total cell number. Also, gene expression of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 and PCNA was downregulated. There were no significant interactions between NanoAu and taurine, indicating that NanoAu did not enhance the effects of taurine. It may be concluded that 20 days after injection, NanoAu affected some parameters of muscle development, but the most profound effects were those of taurine.

Effect of silver nanoparticles and hydroxyproline, administeredin ovo, on the development of blood vessels and cartilage collagen structure in chicken embryos

“…This can result in shortages of signalling factors, fundamental proteins and nutrients, which can hamper optimal development of collagen, the most common building block of embryonic tissue. Except maternal nutrition, the only way to supply compounds needed for optimal embryonic and post-hatch development can be in ovo administration to the chicken embryo (Noy and Uni 2010;Sawosz et al 2012;Zielinska et al 2012). The quality of muscle structure, proper growth and the formation of all tissues and organs are related to the correct development of the connective tissue.…”

Embryonic Toxicity of Nanoparticles

“…On the other hand, adverse effects of gold NP on muscle development were enhanced by conjugating Au NP with heparan sulfate [Zielinska et al, 2011], but their interaction with taurine did not enhance the phenotype in chicken embryos [Zielinska et al, 2012]. Similarly, use of gold NP with polyvinyl alcohol as a capping agent did not show any toxic effect on zebrafish embryos [Asharani et al, 2011].…”

“…Likewise, gold NP showed no adverse effect on mortality, organ weight or homeostasis of chicken embryos, but did influence muscle development where an increased number of myocytes was observed following the conjugation of gold NP with heparan sulfate [Zielinska et al, 2010[Zielinska et al, , 2011[Zielinska et al, , 2012. As gold particles are more biocompatible and stable than silver particles [Browning et al, 2009], they have been recommended for use as probes for in vivo experiments, cellular imaging or as vehicles for drug delivery.…”

Influence of dietary taurine and housing density on oviduct function in laying hens

“…Dietary supplementation with taurine and its derivatives has an established role in the prevention and treatment of topical infections, chronic inflammatory, and metabolic diseases (Nagl et al, 2000;Erdem et al, 2008;Ribeiro et al, 2009). In the poultry industry, taurine is used to regulate muscle development, myocardial damage, and other parameters (Ohta et al, 1988;Zielinska et al, 2012). Our laboratory has established that taurine can ameliorate liver and kidney injury in caged laying hens (data not published).…”