Hepatic Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Inflammation in Broiler Chickens With Wooden Breast Myopathy

Abstract

Wooden breast (WB) syndrome has emerged as a global myopathy in modern commercial broiler chickens, mainly affecting the pectoralis major muscle. Recent evidence suggests that WB myopathy is a systemic disease, which might be accompanied by other physiological disparities and metabolic changes. This study was conducted to systemically investigate the potential physiological changes in liver tissues as well as the possible mechanisms involved to enhance the understanding of the etiology. A total of 93 market-age Arbor Acres male broiler chickens were sampled and categorized into control (CON) and WB groups based on the evaluation of myopathic lesions. Liver samples were collected (n = 10 in each group) for histopathological evaluation and biochemical analyses. Results indicated that WB birds exhibited significantly higher plasma aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities. Histopathological changes in hydropic/fatty degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, intrahepatic hemorrhages, elevated myeloperoxidase activity, and overproduction of nitric oxide were observed in WB liver compared with CON, suggesting the occurrence of liver injury in birds affected by WB myopathy. The WB group showed increased levels of reactive oxygen species, oxidative products, as well as enhanced antioxidant capacities in the liver. These changes were associated with impaired mitochondria morphology and mitochondrial dysfunction. WB myopathy also induced mitochondria-mediated hepatic apoptosis by upregulating levels of caspases 3 and 9, altering the expressions of apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 family regulators, as well as increasing the release of cytochrome c. The activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell signaling enhanced the mRNA expression of downstream inflammatory mediators, contributing to the production of inflammatory cytokines in WB liver. Combined, these findings suggest that hepatic disorders may be conjoined with WB myopathy in broiler chickens and indicating systemic physiological disparities, and other metabolic changes accompanying this myopathy need further assessment.

Internal organ and skeletal muscle development in commercial broilers with woody breast myopathy

“…In addition, relative heart weight also increased by breast conditions, so it is possible that the WB birds need larger heart to maintain the function. The liver is a primary metabolic organ for poultry that has numerous functions such as digestion, metabolism, biosynthesis, waste product removal, and detoxification ( Zaefarian et al, 2019 ; Xing et al, 2021 ). Birds with WB score 3 had greater absolute but not relative liver weights in comparison to those with normal breasts ( Figure 1 ).…”

Effects of Dietary Resveratrol Supplementation on Growth Performance and Anti-Inflammatory Ability in Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) through the Nrf2/HO-1 and TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathways

“…It is was generally accepted that oxidative stress and inflammation are interconnected pathophysiological processes associated with many kinds of inflammatory diseases [ 54 ] and that the overproduction of inflammatory mediators could be used to determine oxidative stress. There is a connection between the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, while Nrf2 overexpression suppresses NF-κB-DNA binding activity [ 55 ].…”

An Investigation of the Altered Textural Property in Woody Breast Myopathy Using an Integrative Omics Approach

“…Many studies found that PLA2 was upregulated due to the activation of mitogen-activate protein kinase cascades, which is linked to a wide range of extracellular stimuli such hormones, calcium mobilizing agents, oxidative stress, or osmotic challenges ( Lambert et al, 2006 ; Rubio et al, 2015 ). Furthermore, Greene et al (2020) and Xing et al (2021) both noted an upregulation of PLA2 in WB compared to the N samples, and they have linked this observation with increased production of reactive oxygen species in WB broilers. Additionally, multiple PLA2 suppressor proteins such annexin A1, A2, A4, and A5 were significantly upregulated in the WB samples ( p < 0.01).…”

“… Chao et al (2020) ’s product ion analysis result showed that the major fatty acid for the altered PE species 36:2 is linoleic acid, which is an omega 6 fatty acid and is characterized by its pro-inflammatory response. Increased inflammation has been observed in WB birds ( Young and Rasmussen, 2020 ; Xing et al, 2021 ), and it is possible the excess omega 6 fatty acids in WB SR membrane indicated the WB broilers could be suffering from distress.…”