Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on Ochratoxin A-Induced Liver Injury: Effects of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial Fission–Fusion Balance

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a common mycotoxin, can contaminate food and feed and is difficult to remove. Astaxanthin (ASTA), a natural antioxidant, can effectively protect against OTA-induced hepatotoxicity; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. In the present study, we elucidate the protective effects of ASTA on the OTA-induced damage of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in broiler liver samples by serum biochemical analysis, antioxidant analysis, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. ASTA inhibited the expressions of <i>ahr</i>, <i>pxr</i>, <i>car</i>, <i>cyp1a1</i>, <i>cyp1a5</i>, <i>cyp2c18</i>, <i>cyp2d6</i>, and <i>cyp3a9</i> genes, and significantly alleviated OTA-induced liver oxidative damage (SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, MDA). Furthermore, it inhibited OTA-activated endoplasmic reticulum stress genes and proteins (<i>grp94</i>, GRP78, <i>atf4</i>, ATF6, <i>perk</i>, <i>eif2α</i>, <i>ire1</i>, CHOP). ASTA alleviated OTA-induced mitochondrial dynamic imbalance, inhibited mitochondrial division (DRP1, <i>mff</i>), and promoted mitochondrial fusion (OPA1, MFN1, MFN2). In conclusion, ASTA can decrease OTA-induced oxidative damage, thereby alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dynamic imbalance.