Effects of zearalenone-induced oxidative stress and Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway-related gene expression in the ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes of post-weaning gilts.

Zearalenone (ZEA) contamination of feed affects animal husbandry and the human health. Currently, the molecular mechanism underlying small intestine-related diseases caused by ZEA-induced oxidative stress is not well understood. In this study, we aimed to identify the mechanisms involved in ZEA (0.5-1.5 mg/kg)-induced oxidative stress in the ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and the role of the Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in post-weaning gilts. Forty post-weaning gilts (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average body weight of 14.01 ± 0.86 kg were randomly allocated to four groups and fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with < 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/kg ZEA. The results showed that the activity of total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased (p < 0.05) linearly and quadratically and that the content of malondialdehyde increased (p < 0.05) quadratically in the ileum and MLNs with increasing ZEA in the diet. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of Nrf2 and glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) immunoreactive proteins in the ileum and MLNs were significantly enhanced with increasing ZEA. The relative mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, Gpx1, quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), hemeoxygenase 1 (Ho1), modifier subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase (Gclm), and catalytic subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase (Gclc) increased (p < 0.05) linearly and quadratically, and the relative mRNA and protein expression of Keap1 decreased (p < 0.05) linearly and quadratically in the ileum with increasing ZEA concentrations in the diet. Further, the relative mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and Gpx1 increased (p < 0.05) linearly and quadratically, and the relative mRNA and protein expression of Nqo1, Ho1, and Gclm decreased (p < 0.05) quadratically in the MLNs as ZEA concentrations increased in the diet. Our results provide valuable genetic information on ZEA-induced oxidative stress in the ileum and MLNs of post-weaning gilts and have elucidated the key regulatory genes involved in the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway. Results indicated that the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway might be a key target to further prevent and treat ZEA-induced injury to the ileum in post-weaning gilts.