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Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Pathways in the Livers of Broilers with Selenium Deficiency Exudative Diathesis Disease

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Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gasotransmitter, plays an important role in apoptosis. Exudative diathesis (ED) disease is associated with dietary selenium (Se) deficiency in broilers. The liver is one of the target organs of Se deficiency; however, little is known about the effect of H2S on apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways in the livers of broilers with ED disease. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between endogenous H2S and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in the livers of broilers with ED disease, as induced by Se deficiency. One hundred twenty healthy, 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to one of two groups (60 each) based on diet: Basal diet (control group, 0.2 mg/kg Se) or a low-Se diet (−Se group, 0.033 mg/kg Se). At day 20, 15 broilers of a similar weight were sacrificed from the control group, while the same number of broilers were euthanatized from the −Se group when displaying typical symptoms of ED between days 18 and 25. The livers were collected, and apoptosis was measured using a TUNEL assay. Additionally, H2S concentration, the expression of H2S synthases of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), as well as mitochondrial apoptosis-related genes of Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, Cyt-C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and p53, were examined in livers. The results indicated that Se deficiency could induce apoptosis in the livers of broilers. Swelling, fractures, and vacuolization were visible in the mitochondrial cristae in the livers of the −Se group. The expression of H2S synthase-related genes and H2S concentration was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in the livers of the −Se group compared to controls. Moreover, a low-Se diet downregulated (P < 0.05) the level of Bcl-2 and upregulated (P < 0.05) the levels of Bax, Bak, Cyt-C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and p53. These results suggest that an H2S increase in the livers of ED broilers, which was induced by Se deficiency, is related to apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial pathways.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31320103920), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31272626), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31502134), and the University Nursing Program for Young Scholars with Creative Talents in Heilongjiang Province (UNPYSCT-2016002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China

    Shu-fang Zheng, Rong-kun Bao, Qiao-jian Zhang, Sheng-chen Wang & Hong-jin Lin

  2. Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China

    Hong-jin Lin

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  1. Shu-fang Zheng
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Correspondence to Hong-jin Lin.

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All procedures were performed in an animal facility that was accredited by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Northeast Agricultural University and approved under protocol number SRM-11

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Zheng, Sf., Bao, Rk., Zhang, Qj. et al. Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Pathways in the Livers of Broilers with Selenium Deficiency Exudative Diathesis Disease. Biol Trace Elem Res 186, 249–257 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1292-3

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