Astaxanthin Alleviates Aflatoxin B1-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in IPEC-J2 Cells via the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Yue Tian,
Haoyu Che,
Jinsheng Yang,
Yongcheng Jin,
Hao Yu,
Chuanqi Wang,
Yurong Fu,
Na Li,
Jing Zhang
Affiliations
Yue Tian
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Haoyu Che
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Jinsheng Yang
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Yongcheng Jin
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Hao Yu
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Chuanqi Wang
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Yurong Fu
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Na Li
Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Jing Zhang
Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Feed and Feeding in the Northeastern Frigid Area, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a typical fungal toxin found in feed, is highly carcinogenic. Oxidative stress is one of the main ways it exerts its toxicity; therefore, finding a suitable antioxidant is the key to reducing its toxicity. Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid with strong antioxidant properties. The aim of the present research was to determine whether AST eases the AFB1-induced impairment in IPEC-J2 cells, and its specific mechanism of action. AFB1 and AST were applied to IPEC-J2 cells in different concentrations for 24 h. The AST (80 µM) significantly prevented the reduction in the IPEC-J2 cell viability that was induced by AFB1 (10 μM). The results showed that treatment with AST attenuated the AFB1-induced ROS, and cytochrome C, the Bax/Bcl2 ratio, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3, which were all activated by AFB1, were among the pro-apoptotic proteins which were diminished by AST. AST activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and ameliorates antioxidant ability. This was further evidenced by the expression of the HO-1, NQO1, SOD2, and HSP70 genes were all upregulated. Taken together, the findings show that the impairment of oxidative stress and apoptosis, caused by the AFB1 in the IPEC-J2 cells, can be attenuated by AST triggering the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
