The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) on liver oxidative damage and energy metabolism in immune-stressed broilers. In total, 312 broilers were divided into 4 groups (saline, LPS, SAEE, and LAEE). Broilers in the saline and LPS groups were fed a basal diet; the SAEE and LAEE groups had an added 0.01% AEE in their diet. Broilers in the LPS and LAEE groups were injected with lipopolysaccharides, while the saline and SAEE groups were injected with saline. Results showed that AEE increased the body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake, as well as decreasing the feed conversion ratio of immune-stressed broilers. AEE protects against oxidative damage in immune-stressed broiler livers by elevating the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione S-transferase alpha 3 (GSTA3) and glutaredoxin 2 (GLRX2) expression, while decreasing malondialdehyde content. AEE lessened inflammation by reducing prostaglandin-F2α production and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) expression. AEE decreased oxidative phosphorylation rates by increasing succinic acid levels and lowering both adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels and ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal 5 (CLN5) expression. AEE modulated the metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine, lipids, and cholesterol by reducing the phenyllactate and L-arogenate levels, lowering dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) expression, and increasing phenylpyruvic acid and dopa decarboxylase (DDC) expression. In summary, AEE can effectively alleviate liver oxidative damage and energy metabolism disorders in immune-stressed broilers.
Keywords: aspirin eugenol ester; broilers; energy metabolism; immune stress; oxidative damage.