Evaluation of Hepatic Detoxification Effects of Enteromorpha prolifera Polysaccharides against Aflatoxin B 1 in Broiler Chickens.

Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is a major risk factor in animal feed. Seaweed ( Enteromorpha prolifera )-derived polysaccharides (SDP) are natural antioxidants with multiple biological functions, which may have an in vivo detoxification effect on AFB 1 . The current study aimed to evaluate whether SDP could mitigate AFB 1 -induced hepatotoxicity in broilers. A total of 216 chickens (male, 5 weeks old) were randomly allocated to three groups with differing feeding patterns, lasting 4 weeks: (1) control group (CON, fed a basal diet); (2) AFB 1 group (fed a basal diet mixed with 0.1 mg/kg AFB 1 ); and (3) AFB 1 + SDP group (AFB 1 group + 0.25% SDP). The results showed that dietary SDP improved the liver function-related biochemical indicators in serum, and reversed the increase in relative liver weight, hepatic apoptosis and histological damage of broilers exposed to AFB 1 . SDP treatment also reduced the activity and mRNA expression of phase I detoxification enzymes, while increasing the activity and mRNA expression of phase II detoxification enzymes in the livers of AFB 1 -exposed broilers, which was involved in the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling. In conclusion, dietary SDP alleviated AFB 1 -induced liver injury of broilers through inhibiting phase I detoxification enzymes and upregulating p38MAPK/Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxification enzymes pathway.