Protective role of Cecropin AD against LPS-induced intestinal mucosal injury in chickens

Yan Zhi; Tingyu Li; Yaxuan Li; Tao Zhang; Mengze Du; Qian Zhang; Xiangdong Wang; Ge Hu

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1290182

Protective role of Cecropin AD against LPS-induced intestinal mucosal injury in chickens

Front Immunol. 2023 Dec 14:14:1290182. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1290182. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yan Zhi¹, Tingyu Li¹, Yaxuan Li¹, Tao Zhang¹, Mengze Du¹, Qian Zhang¹, Xiangdong Wang², Ge Hu¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China.
² Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, the Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ministry of Education of China), Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Introduction: Cecropin AD (CAD), a renowned antimicrobial peptide, has shown promising potential in treating various bacterial infections. This study investigates the protective effects of CAD against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal adversities in chickens.

Methods: Sixty SPF-grade chicks were divided into groups and exposed to different dosages of CAD, followed by LPS administration. The study assessed the impact of CAD on intestinal mucosal injury markers, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Results: LPS significantly increased Diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate (D-LA) levels, both indicators of intestinal mucosal injury. CAD treatment substantially attenuated these elevations, particularly at higher dosages. Additionally, CAD markedly reduced oxidative stress in intestinal tissues, as shown by normalized antioxidant levels and decreased reactive oxygen species. Histological analysis supported these findings, showing better-preserved villi structures in CAD-treated groups. Furthermore, CAD significantly reduced IL-6 and IL-8 expression post-LPS stimulation and effectively regulated the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, decreasing associated factors like NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1b, and IL-18.

Discussion: The study demonstrates CAD's therapeutic potential in alleviating LPS-induced intestinal injuries. The protective effects are primarily attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions and modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Keywords: Cecropin AD (CAD); NLRP3 inflammasome; inflammatory markers; intestinal mucosal injury; lipopolysaccharide (LPS); oxidative stress.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Antioxidants / pharmacology
Cecropins*
Chickens / metabolism
Inflammasomes / metabolism
Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein* / metabolism

Substances

NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
Inflammasomes
Lipopolysaccharides
Cecropins
Antioxidants

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was sponsored by Beijing nova program (20220484226).