Integrated transcriptome analysis for the hepatic and jejunal mucosa tissues of broiler chickens raised under heat stress conditions

Background:Heat stress(HS)is one of the most important threats for the current poultry industry.Therefore,many efforts have been made to ameliorate the adverse effect of HS on poultry production;however,physiological and molecular mechanisms pertaining to HS are still limited in poultry.Therefore,the objective of the current study was to investigate functional alterations based on individual and integrated transcriptomes in the liver and jejunal mucosa tissues of broiler chickens exposed to HS conditions.Results:Broiler chickens exposed to HS showed decreased growth performance and increased corticosterone concentrations in the feather.In the transcriptome analysis,the number of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified in the liver and jejunal mucosa by HS conditions.In the liver,genes related to amino acid oxidation,tryptophan metabolism,lipid metabolism,oxidative phosphorylation,and immune responses were altered by HS,which support the reason why heat-stressed poultry had decreased productive performance.In the jejunal mucosa,genes related to defense systems,glutathione metabolism,detoxification of xenobiotics,and immune responses were differently expressed by HS conditions.The integrated transcriptome analysis with DEGs found in the liver and jejunal mucosa showed a considerable connectivity between the core nodes in the constructed networks,which includes glutathione metabolism,xenobiotic metabolism,carbon metabolism,and several amino acid metabolisms.Conclusions:The core network analysis may indicate that increased requirement of energy and amino acids in the jejunal mucosa of broiler chickens exposed to HS conditions is likely compromised by increased oxidation and synthesis of amino acids in the liver.Therefore,our results may provide comprehensive insights for molecular and metabolic alterations of broiler chickens raised under HS conditions,which can aid in the development of the novel strategies to ameliorate the negative effect of HS on poultry productivity and health.

Effects of Polysaccharides from Pulsatilla Decoction on the Microvascular Endothelial Glycocalyx

Pulsatilla decoction is a famous traditional Chinese herbal formula for clearing heat and treating dysentery of animals or human. To elucidate its mechanism, many active components have been studied, however, the roles of its polysaccharides still remain unclear. This study aimed to explore effects of polysaccharides from Pulsatilla decoction （PPD） on the microvascular endothelial glycocalyx （eGC）. The polysaccharides were extracted from PPD by water extraction and alcohol precipitation method. Mice were administered with PPD for 4 wk, and were then anesthetized with ether inhalation and were ifxed by cardiac perfusion with gradient concentration alcian blue solution. The jejunum was sampled and jejunal mucosa was prepared for ultrathin sections by routine method and was analyzed by transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that the eGC was observed as a strong electron-dense smooth linear margin or nonuniform conglomerates coating cell membranes, and PPD signiifcantly increased its thickness from （21.85±1.87） to （28.71±3.61） nm and improved its integrity. This study suggested that PPD may express their biological activities and protect against pathogenic factor damages by inlfuencing the eGC.