Protective effects of zinc and N-acetyl-L-cysteine supplementation against cadmium induced erythrocyte cytotoxicity in Arbor Acres broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic metals released into the environment. Here, we investigated the protective role of Zn2+ and/or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) against Cd cytotoxicity in the erythrocytes of Arbor Acres (AA) broiler chickens. Four hundred one-day-old AA chickens were divided into 12 groups for in vitro and in vivo studies. Zn2+ and/or NAC was given to the Cd exposed AA chickens to assess their protective roles. This was accomplished by investigating nuclear morphological abnormalities, oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and T-AOC), cell apoptosis, ROS accumulation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results showed that Cd led to dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity in the erythrocytes of AA chickens characterized by morphological abnormalities, nucleus damage, increased apoptosis rate and antioxidants depletion. Zn2+ or NAC significantly decreased the erythrocyte apoptosis, ROS production and mitochondrial membrane depolarization caused by Cd. SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and T-AOC activities significantly decreased both in serum and erythrocytes of Cd exposed AA chickens. The supplementation with Zn2+ or NAC alleviated Cd induced oxidative stress through promoting SOD or GPx/GSH activities respectively. NAC presented a better role in reducing apoptosis, improving antioxidant activities more than Zn2+ in vitro. The combined use of Zn2+ and NAC enhanced cytoprotection in Cd exposed erythrocytes of AA chickens compared to Zn2+ or NAC alone. In conclusion, Zn2+ and NAC exerted remarkable protective roles in Cd exposed erythrocytes of AA chickens by inhibiting cell apoptosis and oxidative stress, and this provides a promising approach to antagonize Cd poisoning in poultry.