Efficacy of lycopene on aflatoxin b1-induces oxidative stress, hepa-totoxicity, apoptosis and immunodeficiency in japanese quail

Mycotoxins are harmful auxiliary metabolites delivered by species of filamentous organisms developing on grains some time recently collect and in capacity. The study was planned to evaluate the protective role of lycopene (LYC) against Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induces oxidative stress, hepatic toxicity, and apoptosis in Japanese quail. Sixty Japanese quail chicks (three-week-old) were randomly allocated into four groups; Negative control group; Aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) group (1 mg/kg feed) as positive control; lycopene supplemented group (200 mg/kg feed) and AFB1 (1 mg/kg feed) with lycopene sup-plemented group (200 mg/kg). The growth performance parameters, serum biochemical indices, and liver antioxidant activities as well as histopathological studies, and immunohistochemical pictures were performed. The results showed a significant increase on growth performance and a significant decrease on feed conversion ratio (FCR) in aflatoxin inclu-sion with lycopene supplemented group. Moreover, the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly decreased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), Gluta-thione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities increased in liver tissues. Furthermore, when compared to the aflatoxin-inclusion with the lycopene supplemented group had improved liver tissue and lower levels of cytokine production (IL-6 and TNF-). In conclusion, these findings implied that dietary administration of lycopene has significantly alleviated AFB1-triggered oxidative stress, inflammatory response and liver apoptosis in Japanese quail.