Hsp70 and HSF-1 expression is altered in the tissues of pigs transported for various periods of times

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess changes of Hsp70 and HSF-1 protein and mRNA expression in stress-sensitive organs of pigs during transportation for various periods of time. Twenty pigs were randomly divided into four groups (0 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h of transportation). A significant increased activity of AST and CK was observed after 1 h and 2 h of transportation. Histopathological changes in the heart, liver, and stomach indicated that these organs sustained different degrees of injury. Hsp70 protein expression in the heart and liver of transported pigs did not change significantly while it increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the stomach. Hsp70 mRNA levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the heart after 4 h of transportation. However, mRNA expression increased significantly in the liver after 1 (p < 0.05) and 4 h (p < 0.01) of transportation, and increased significantly in the stomach of the transported pigs after 1, 4 (p < 0.01), and 2 h (p < 0.05). HSF-1 levels were reduced at 1 and 4 h (p < 0.05) only in the hearts of transported pigs. These results indicate that Hsp70 mediates distinct stress-related functions in different tissues during transportation.

Alteration of HSF3 and HSP70 mRNA expression in the tissues of two chicken breeds during acute heat stress

“…Shabtay and Arad (2006) observed that differential combinations of HSFs and DNA have varying effects on HSP transcription and translation. HSF1 mRNA expression of pig hearts is significantly altered following heat treatment, with changes in HSP70 mRNA expression occurring in other tissues (Zhang et al, 2012). In another study, HSP70 and HSF1 mRNA expression in coral was the highest on the first day of heat treatment and declined with further exposure to heat stress (Nakamura et al, 2012).…”

“…Upon heat stress in pigs, HSP70 mRNA expression varied between the heart, liver, and stomach, with variable amounts of HSF1 protein being expressed (Zhang et al, 2012). In the current study, we found distinct HSP70 and HSF3 mRNA expression in the 4 tissues tested from the 2 chicken breeds after heat treatment, indicating tissue-specificity.…”

Oxidative parameters and expression of 70kDa heat shock proteins in pig heart tissue after transport and slaughter

“…Other authors (Snoeckx et al 2001, Kiang et al 2008) have found increased expression of Hsp70 to be significantly correlated with a reduction in destructive changes in the heart muscle of rats, which may be an important element in preventing myocardial infarction in humans. It should also be emphasized that the concentration of protective Hsp70 in internal organs can undergo significant changes over time; this was demonstrated in a study by Zhang et al (2012), in which a significant decrease was observed in the concentration of this protein in the liver and stomach of pigs slaughtered 4 hours after transport. These authors observed a slight increase in Hsp70 levels in the heart tissues after 1 h of transport, a slight reduction after 2 h of transport, and then again an increase after 4 h of transport.…”

“…It should be emphasized that unlike troponin, myoglobin, or creatine kinase, whose maximally elevated concentration is maintained for a period of 12-24 hours after the disease process begins, changes in Hsp70 level are observed for a much shorter period of about 6-8 hours. Due to the substantial variation observed in Hsp70 concentration within an animal species, it is currently difficult to determine the range of physiological norms for the parameter, the level of which changes during a period of up to a few hours after the appearance of the stress factor (Yu et al 2007, Bao et al 2008, Zhang et al 2012). …”

“…The stress-induced increase in the production and release of Hsp in pigs may play a significant role in limiting damage and death in transported animals, which can be a useful indicator of the welfare of pigs intended for slaughter. It has been demonstrated (Feder and Hofmann, 1999) that production and release of heat shock proteins, whose functions include protecting intracellular structures from damage (Bao et al 2008, Zhang et al 2012, increase in pigs during transport. The role of Hsp in reducing ischaemia associated with degradation of lipid membranes is not fully known, although many observations confirm that stability of cell membranes increases due to reduced activity of arachidic acid -a marker of phospholipid degradation (Van der Vusse et al 1998).…”