• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) sources on the antioxidant defense system in the blood and liver of laying hens. Thirty-six 40-wk old Lohmann Brown hens were randomly assigned to three groups based on body weight, with four cages with three layers each. Laying hens were divided into one of the following groups: control (CON), powdered CoQ10 (PCoQ, 100 mg/kg diet), and emulsified CoQ10 (ECoQ, 100 mg/kg diet). All hens were fed a control diet or a control diet supplemented with powdered or emulsified CoQ10 ad libitum for five weeks. There were no differences in body weight, weight gain, and organ weights among the treatment groups, including the liver and spleen. The blood total antioxidant power (TAP) in the ECoQ group increased (P<0.05) by approximately 2-fold compared to that in the CON group. However, there was no significant difference in blood TAP levels between the PCoQ and ECoQ groups, although a decreasing trend (P<0.13) was observed for levels of TAP in the ECoQ group. The mRNA expression and specific activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the liver were not affected by dietary CoQ10 or type of CoQ10. However, hepatic lipid peroxidation in the ECoQ group was lower (P<0.05) than in the CON group. In conclusion, emulsified CoQ10 increased blood TAP and decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation without affecting antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that emulsified CoQ10 might be more applicable as an active antioxidant supplement than powdered type in laying hens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1002-1014
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• 2023

The root of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) has long been used in traditional medicine to prevent the onset and progression of various diseases and has been reported to exert a wide range of physiological effects, including antioxidant activity. However, research on its effects on hepatocytes remains scarce. This study used the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line to investigate the antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of C. japonicum root (EECJ) on hepatocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to mimic oxidative stress. The results showed that EECJ significantly reverted the decrease in cell viability and suppressed the release of lactate dehydrogenase in HepG2 cells treated with H₂O₂. Moreover, an analysis of changes in cell morphology, flow cytometry, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression showed that EECJ significantly inhibited HepG2 cell autophagy induced by H₂O₂. Furthermore, it attenuated H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and cell cycle disruption by blocking intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide production, indicating strong antioxidant activity. EECJ also restored the decreased levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and enhanced the expression and activity of superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase in H₂O₂-treated HepG2 cells. Although an analysis of the components contained in EECJ and in vivo validation using animal models are needed, these findings indicate that EECJ is a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-induced liver cell damage.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2024

The study was conducted to examine age-related development of digestive organs, intestinal microvilli hydrolase, and hepatic antioxidant enzyme in Korean native chicks (KNC) aged from 0-d to 28-d of post-hatching. Body weight did not significantly increase from 0-d to 3-d-old, but after that remarkably increased from 3-d to 28-d-old (P<0.05). The relative weight (g/100 g of BW) of the proventriculus, gizzard, and liver was significantly higher at 3- and 7-d-old chicks than that of the other ages. The relative weight of the intestine, mucosal tissues, and pancreas was markedly developed at the ages of 3-, 14-, and (or) 21-d-old chicks (P<0.05). In the small intestine, the specific activities of maltase and sucrose were significantly higher at 14-d-old compared with the other ages (P<0.05). Leucine aminopeptidase activity showed a constant level from 0- to 28-d-old without significance. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher at 0-d-old compared with the other ages (P<0.05). In the liver, the specific activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase were shown to be lowest at 0-d-old, but they continued to increase as the age increased. The lipid peroxidation was significantly high at the age of 21-d (P<0.05), after that its level decreased at 28-d old. In conclusion, the KNC rapidly developed digestive organs and intestinal microvilli hydrolase activity from 3- to 14-d-old after hatching. Hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity continued to increase as the age increased after hatching, resulting in 28-d-old chicks showing the highest antioxidant enzyme activity in the KNC.