The study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VE) supplementation on mRNA level of heat shock proteins, selenoproteins, and antioxidant enzyme activities in the breast meat of broilers under summer heat stress conditions. A total of 200 male broilers (Ross 308) of 1 day age were randomly separated into 4 groups in a complete randomized design and were given a basal diet (Control, 0.08 mg Se/kg diet) or basal diet supplemented with VE (250 mg/kg VE), sodium selenite (0.2 mg/kg Se), or Se + VE (0.2 mg/kg Se + 250 mg/kg VE) to investigate the expression of key antioxidant and heat shock protein (HSP) genes under high temperature stress. Dietary Se, VE and Se + VE significantly enhanced the activities and mRNA levels of catalase as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) but decreased the mRNA levels of HSP70 and HSP90. Se alone or combined with VE increased the concentration of selenoprotein P and selenoproteins mRNA level and decreased the expression of HSP60. In addition, Se and Se + VE significantly enhanced the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and the expression of GPx1 and GPx4 in breast muscle tissues. It is noteworthy that all the treatments significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the breast meat. Overall results showed that Se in combination with VE has maximal effects to mitigate heat stress. Based on given results it can be recommended that Se + VE are a suitable dietary supplement for broilers to ameliorate the negative effects of summer heat stress conditions.

In Pakistan, milk adulteration is a growing issue of significant importance. This problem persists at every level; from production point to consumption. Adulteration poses ill effects on the public health. This study was designed to screen the various adulterants in the market milk sold in the vicinity of Mirpurkhas district of Sindh, Pakistan during the year 2013. A total of 100 milk samples were collected. Twenty milk samples (n= 20) from each of milk producers (MP), milk collectors (MC), middlemen (MM), processors (P) and dairy shops (DS) were examined for various adulterants. Among these adulterants water (73%) was found in majority of milk samples, followed by detergent (32%), cane sugar (22%), caustic soda (20%), rice flour (17%), sodium chloride and skimmed milk powder (15%), hydrogen peroxide (13%), starch (12%), formalin (11%), urea and vegetable oil (10%), boric acid (8%), ammonium sulfate (6%), glucose (5%), sorbitol (4%) and arrowroot (1%), respectively. Freezing point of 65% milk samples of MP, 75% of MC, 75% of MM, 80% of P and 85%% of DS appeared towards 0 o C rather than that of control milk, and assumed to be adulterated with extraneous water. The averaged extent of water in milk sold by P remarkably higher than that of other milk marketing channels, but statistically non-significant (P>0.05) with all milk intermediaries; MP, MC, MM and DS. The risk of adulteration at DS was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) than MC and MP, but not significant (P>0.05) with P and MM.

AFB1 is a mycotoxin which exerts their cytotoxicity through increasing oxidative damage in target organ. Kidney is one of target organs vulnerable to damage caused by AFB1. In this study, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were used to evaluate the AFB1-induced cell damage by the MTT assay. The results revealed that the toxic effect of AFB1 on MDCK cells is both dose and time dependent. Half maximal toxic concentration (IC50) was noted at 0.25 μg/ml of AFB1. Further, protective effect of six different concentrations (0.2, 0.8, 1, 2, 4, and 8 μM) of selenomethionine (SeMet) was observed against 0.25 μg/ml of AFB1-induced damage. The results showed that 0.25 μg/ml of AFB1 caused significant increase in oxidative stress, which was demonstrated by significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reduction of intracellular GSH level, as well as GPX1 activity and mRNA level in MDCK cells when compared with control. SeMet protected the cells from AFB1-induced oxidative damage in a dose-dependant manner. Good protection could be achieved between 1 and 4 μM of concentration. Amid this range, MDA level significantly decreased while intracellular GSH level and GPX1 activity in addition to mRNA level significantly increased. Moreover, cell viability was significantly improved. It could be concluded that SeMet is a potential antioxidative agent to alleviate AFB1-induced oxidative stress.

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