Inosine ameliorates the effects of hemin-induced oxidative stress in broilers.

The objective of these studies was to determine whether inosine, a precursor of the antioxidant uric acid, can ameliorate hemin-induced oxidative stress. Dietary inclusion of inosine was begun either before or after hemin-induced oxidative stress. Broilers (4 weeks) were divided into four treatment groups (Control, Hemin, Inosine, Hemin/Inosine). Throughout the study control birds (n=10) were injected daily with a buffer solution, while hemin birds (n=10) were injected daily (i.p.) with a 20 mg/kg body weight hemin buffer solution. Leukocyte oxidative activity (LOA) and concentrations of plasma uric acid (PUA) were measured. Results from the first study showed that hemin birds had increased levels of LOA (P=0.0333) and lower PUA (P=0.1174). On day 10, control and hemin birds were subdivided into inosine birds (n=5) and hemin/inosine birds (n=5). These birds were given 0.6 M/kg of feed/day of dry inosine. Plasma concentrations of uric acid and LOA were then measured on day 15. Results showed that inosine raised concentrations of PUA (P=0.0001) and lowered LOA (P=0.0044) as induced by hemin. In the second study pretreatment of broilers with hemin prevented the increase in LOA induced by hemin (P=0.0001). These results show that modulating the concentrations of uric acid can markedly affect oxidative stress.