Glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in the chickens with dexamethasone‐induced oxidative stress

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term treatment with dexamethasone (DEX) on the antioxidation and nutrition metabolism in broiler chickens. Broilers were placed on a high-nutrient diet for 41 days, and half were given orally DEX-supplemented water at 20 mg/L every other day from 19 to 41 days of age. DEX treatment downregulated superoxide dismutase activity as well as the mRNA expression of CuZn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase with a decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio and an increase in malondialdehyde level in the liver of broilers. DEX treatment aggravated oxidative damage in the liver and, therefore, increased the sensitivity of broilers to ascites syndrome with higher mortality and reduced growth performance. Serum metabolomics analysis showed that DEX treatment significantly increased the levels of glucose, intermediates in protein metabolism (valine, proline, serine, threonine and urea) and lipid metabolism-related products (palmitic acid, stearic acid and cholesterol) while decreasing the levels of β-hydroxy butyric acid, succinic acid and malic acid, demonstrating that DEX treatment inhibited the Krebs cycle and the oxidation of fatty acids, and promoted the de novo synthesis of fatty acids as well as protein decomposition in the liver of broilers. Additionally, detection of metabolism-related enzymes revealed that DEX treatment inhibited glycolysis and promoted glycogen decomposition. In summary, DEX treatment resulted in oxidative stress and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in the broilers.

Mode of Action of Dietary Dexamethasone May Not Be Dependent Upon Microbial Mechanisms in Broilers

“…Additionally, BWG during the recovery period, d14–d28, was similar between DexF 1 and BMD+DexF 1 , which may indicate bacteria targeted by BMD are not an influential component in either weight gain or loss in association with dietary Dex. It is more likely that effects on body weight are the result of altercations in nutrient utilization and changes in fat deposition at the expense of protein, as speculated in the literature [7,11,46,47]. The expected drop in BW and BWG was present in all three experiments, but no particular bacterial species seemed to play a role in this phenomenon after feeding dexamethasone alone or in combination with BMD or Baytril after one week.…”

Effects of steroid growth promoter on morphological and biochemical adaptations in liver of broiler

“…In the present study, the serum AST and ALP levels in Groups A and B were not significantly different from the control group. It has been shown that DEX treatment may increase ALT and AST levels in serum of broilers at 3 weeks of age; however, there was no significant difference of ALT and AST values in weeks 4, 5, and 6 [ 35 ]. A similar report was found in another research [ 36 ].…”

Expeller-Pressed Canola (Brassica napus) Meal Modulates the Structure and Function of the Cecal Microbiota, and Alters the Metabolome of the Pancreas, Liver, and Breast Muscle of Broiler Chickens

“…To better ascertain the impacts of dietary CM on broilers, the metabolomic profile of cecal digesta, as well as pancreas, liver, and breast muscle tissues, was examined. These three tissues have an important role in carbohydrate metabolism [ 11 ], digestion [ 12 ], and in the health status of birds [ 13 ], respectively; in addition, breast tissue is a high value meat outcome of broiler production. Finally, the metabolome of the cecal digesta provides a key insight into the functioning of the microbiota present in the cecum and reflects changes in community structure observed using sequencing.…”