Aflatoxin B1 impairs mitochondrial functions, activates ROS generation, induces apoptosis and involves Nrf2 signal pathway in primary broiler hepatocytes.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is known as a mycotoxin that causes various health problems in animals, but the precise mechanism of AFB1 on mitochondrial functions and apoptosis in primary broiler hepatocytes (PBHs) is not clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of AFB1 on the mitochondrial functions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2)-related signal pathway in PBHs. Here, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ROS generation, antioxidative genes and apoptosis in PBHs induced by AFB1 were investigated. The results showed that AFB1 evoked mitochondrial ROS generation, decreased MMP and induced apoptosis in PBHs. AFB1 increased the percentage of apoptotic cells, and expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3, upregulated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Nrf2 and downregulated mRNA expressions of NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase 1, superoxide dismutase and Heme oxygenase 1 in PBHs. The expression of Bax was also observed in cytoplasm. These findings suggested AFB1 results in a significant impairment of mitochondrial functions, activates ROS generation, induces apoptosis, and is involved in Nrf2 signal pathway through mitochondria ROS-dependent signal pathways in PBHs.