A comparison between the effects of ochratoxin A and aristolochic acid on the inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver and kidney of weanling piglets.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and aristolochic acid (AA) are toxins that can frequently contaminate cereals and cereals-based products. The present study has realized a comparison between the effect of OTA and AA on oxidative stress and inflammation in both the liver and kidney of pigs as major organs involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Fifteen pigs (five pigs/group) were randomly distributed in three groups (control, OTA, and AA) and were fed diets contaminated or not with 250 µg toxin/kg for 28 days. Consumption of a diet contaminated with OTA and AA increase the concentration of serum creatinine as compared with the control group. The exposure of piglets to AA decrease the activity of enzymes involved in the oxidative stress response: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxydase (GPx) in the liver and kidney while OTA decrease only GPx activity and only in the kidney. The consumption of the diets contaminated with AA increase in the liver the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interferon (IFN) gamma, Interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 synthesis, while IL-4 was increase by OTA and decreased by AA. In the kidney, AA increase the TNF alpha and IFN gamma synthesis as compared with the control. In conclusion, our results have shown that beside the alteration of serum markers, much known indicators for nephropathy, OTA and AA can induce inflammation and oxidative stress. In conclusion, the inflammatory effects were more pronounced for AA and at the liver level, while oxidative stress was induced both in the liver and kidney.

Assessment of the effect of grape seed cake inclusion in the diet of healthy fattening-finishing pigs.

Modulatory capacity of bioactive compounds from different wastes has been scarcely investigated in pigs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of grape seed cakes (GS diet) on performance and plasma biochemistry parameters as health indicators, as well as on several markers related to inflammation and antioxidant defence in the liver of fattening-finishing pigs. Twelve cross-bred pigs (TOPIG) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental diets: control and 5% grape seed cake diet during finishing period (24 days). No effect of GS diet on pig performance and blood biochemistry was observed. However, GS diet decreased significantly (-9.05%, p < .05) the cholesterol concentration (85.71 ± 0.94 mg/dl vs 94.24 ± 2.16 mg/dl) and increased IgA level (+49.90%, p < .05) in plasma (5.04 ± 0.5 mg/ml vs 3.36 ± 0.7 mg/ml). GS cakes decreased the inflammatory response in the liver of pigs fed with GS diet by lowering the Gene expression and protein concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-8, TNF-α and IFN-γ) as well as the mRNA abundances of NF-κB signalling molecules. The antioxidant status was not increased by GS diet. The gene expression and activity of catalase decreased significantly. The gene expression of Nrf2, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and heat-shock protein decreased, and no effect on their activity was observed with the exception of catalase activity which decreased. However, TBARS was reduced significantly. GS diet showed a modulatory effect on antioxidative status as well as anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolic properties without effect on pig performance.