Effects of N-acetylcysteine on the energy status and antioxidant capacity in heart and liver of cold-stressed broilers

Abstract

Objective: Cold stress induces oxidative damage and impairs energy status of broilers. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits antioxidant properties and modulates energy metabolism of animals. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NAC on energy status and antioxidant capacity of heart and liver in the cold-stressed broilers. Methods: The experiment consisted of 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with two diets (basal diet or plus 0.1% NAC) and two ambient temperatures (thermoneutral [conventional ambient temperature] or cold stress [10°C±1°C during days 15 to 42]). Results: No ascites were seen in cold-stressed broilers. NAC did not attenuate the impaired growth performance of stressed birds. However, NAC decreased plasma asparagine but increased aspartate levels in cold-stressed birds (p<0.05). NAC reduced hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) but elevated adenosine diphosphate contents in unstressed birds (p< 0.05). The hepatic ratio of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to ATP was increased in birds fed NAC (p<0.05). NAC decreased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level and cardiac total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in unstressed birds, but increased hepatic activities of T-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in stressed birds (p<0.05). NAC down-regulated hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase but up-regulated cardiac heme-oxigenase mRNA expression in stressed birds, and decreased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor coactivator-1α as well as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in liver and heart of birds. Conclusion: Dietary NAC did not affect energy status but enhanced the hepatic antioxidant capacity by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in cold-stressed broilers.

The Protective Role of N-Acetyl Cysteine (Nac) on Broilers Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

“…The current study discovered that supplementing NAC in the heat stressed broiler diet significantly reduced the activities of blood enzymes like ALT, AST, and ALP, resulting in improved digestion and increased nutrient metabolism, which was consistent with [32]. There is a lack of similar work in poultry.…”

“…The 38°C programme for 10 hours resulted in a significant reduction in total protein and albumin levels at HS compared to control levels [6]. Currently, neither diet nor temperature had an effect on serum total protein levels, implying that protein metabolism was unaffected, which is consistent with the findings of [32]. Serum ALT levels are clinically part of a diagnostic liver function test [33,34].…”

Absorption of N-acetylcysteine in Healthy and Mycoplasma gallisepticum-Infected Chickens

“…NAC is applied in chickens at a dose rate from 50 to 800 mg kg −1 body weight (b.w. ); however, nothing is known about its pharmacokinetics in this animal species [14,17,23]. Complete pharmacokinetic investigations were performed in humans and there is one study concerning its absorption and disposition in cats [11,24].…”

Enhancement of the liver status of Sentul chickens from the starter phase induced by irradiated chitosan

“…It is stated that low levels of SGPT and SGOT show that the liver cells were not damaged [21][22][23]. Impaired liver function results from damage to hepatocytes which causes changes in transport function and membrane permeability, leading to the release of SGPT, SGOT, and -GT enzymes in the cytoplasm into blood circulation [24]. This is because the Transaminase Enzyme acts as a catalyst in the process of transferring amino groups from alpha-amino and alpha-keto acids [25,26].…”