Molecular mechanisms of environmental pollutant-induced cartilage damage: from developmental disorders to osteoarthritis

The objective of the present study was to review the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on chondrocytes and extracellular matrix (ECM). Existing data demonstrate that both heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As), as well as organic pollutants, including polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), bisphenol A, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and certain other organic pollutants that target cartilage ontogeny and functioning. Overall, environmental pollutants reduce chondrocyte viability through the induction apoptosis, senescence, and inflammatory response, resulting in cell death and impaired ECM production. The effects of organic pollutants on chondrocyte development and viability were shown to be mediated by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling and modulation of non-coding RNA expression. Adverse effects of pollutant exposures were observed in articular and growth plate chondrocytes. These mechanisms also damage chondrocyte precursors and subsequently hinder cartilage development. In addition, pollutant exposure was shown to impair chondrogenesis by inhibiting the expression of Sox9 and other regulators. Along with altered Runx2 signaling, these effects also contribute to impaired chondrocyte hypertrophy and chondrocyte-to-osteoblast trans-differentiation, resulting in altered endochondral ossification. Several organic pollutants including PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs, were shown to induce transgenerational adverse effects on cartilage development and the resulting skeletal deformities. Despite of epidemiological evidence linking human environmental pollutant exposure to osteoarthritis or other cartilage pathologies, the data on the molecular mechanisms of adverse effects of environmental pollutant exposure on cartilage tissue were obtained from studies in laboratory rodents, fish, or cell cultures and should be carefully extrapolated to humans, although they clearly demonstrate that cartilage should be considered a putative target for environmental pollutant toxicity.

Molecular mechanism of thiram-induced abnormal chondrocyte proliferation via lncRNA MSTRG.74.1-BNIP3 axis

Thiram, a widely used organic pesticide in agriculture, exhibits both bactericidal and insecticidal effects. However, prolonged exposure to thiram has been linked to bone deformities and cartilage damage, contributing to the development of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broilers and posing a significant threat to global agricultural production. TD, a prevalent nutritional metabolic disease, manifests as clinical symptoms like unstable standing, claudication, and sluggish movement in affected broilers. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the regulatory role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in tibial cartilage formation among broilers through diverse signaling pathways. This study employs in vitro experimental models, growth performance analysis, and clinical observation to assess broilers' susceptibility to thiram pollution. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed a significant elevation in the expression of lncRNA MSTRG.74.1 in both the con group and the thiram-induced in vitro group. The results showed that lncRNA MSTRG.74.1 plays a pivotal role in influencing the proliferation and abnormal differentiation of chondrocytes. This regulation occurs through the negative modulation of apoptotic genes, including Bax, Cytc, Bcl2, Apaf1, and Caspase3, along with genes Atg5, Beclin1, LC3b, and protein p62. Moreover, the overexpression of lncRNA MSTRG.74.1 was found to regulate broiler chondrocyte development by upregulating BNIP3. In summary, this research sheds light on thiram-induced abnormal chondrocyte proliferation in TD broilers, emphasizing the significant regulatory role of the lncRNA MSTRG.74.1-BNIP3 axis, which will contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying TD development in broilers exposed to thiram.

The analysis base study on mechanical double enzyme technique for isolating and culturing primary chondrocytes

The mechanical-double enzyme method was used in the current study to isolate and culture primary chondrocytes from the chicken growth plates. The feasibility and practicability of the approach were determined by using trypan blue staining, toluidine blue staining, PCR, and flow cytometry. The immunofluorescence assay was also used to effectively identify chondrocytes, demonstrating the expression of chondrocyte-specific secreted products (Col-II and Aggrecan). The exterior morphology of chondrocytes was studied at several stages, revealing significant changes in cell shape with each generation. Notably, compared to earlier approaches, the mechanical-double enzyme strategy revealed enhanced cell adhesion and much reduced apoptosis rates. The findings indicate that this novel method has great potential for efficient primary chondrocytes culture, providing important insight into chondrocyte ba research and future applications in cartilage tissue engineering. The following technical points are included in this method:•Isolation and culturing primary chondrocytes by a mechanical-double enzyme approach.•The evaluation of cell adhesion and apoptosis of mechanical double enzyme approach as compared to previous approaches.•The confirmation of chondrocyte-specific secreted products' expression via toluidine blue staining, PCR, and immunofluorescence assays.

miR-181b-1-3p affects the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in TD broilers through the WIF1/Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Thiram is a plant fungicide, its excessive use has exceeded the required environmental standards. It causes tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broilers which is a common metabolic disease that affects the growth plate of tibia bone. It has been studied that many microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes however, their specific roles and mechanisms have not been fully investigated. The selected features of tibial chondrocytes of broilers were studied in this experiment which included the expression of miR-181b-1-3p and the genes related to WIF1/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in chondrocytes through qRT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. The correlation between miR-181b-1-3p and WIF1 was determined by dual luciferase reporter gene assay whereas, the role of miR-181b-1-3p and WIF1/Wnt/β-catenin in chondrocyte differentiation was determined by mimics and inhibitor transfection experiments. Results revealed that thiram exposure resulted in decreased expression of miR-181b-1-3p and increased expression of WIF1 in chondrocytes. A negative correlation was also observed between miR-181b-1-3p and WIF1. After overexpression of miR-181b-1-3p, the expression of ACAN, β-catenin and Col2a1 increased but the expression of GSK-3β decreased. It was observed that inhibition of WIF1 increased the expression of ALP, β-catenin, Col2a1 and ACAN but decreased the expression of GSK-3β. It is concluded that miR-181b-1-3p can reverse the inhibitory effect of thiram on cartilage proliferation and differentiation by inhibiting WIF1 expression and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study provides a new molecular target for the early diagnosis and possible treatment of TD in broilers.

Effects of cold stress on growth performance, carcass traits and tibia attributes in broiler chickens with thiram-induced dyschondroplasia

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of cold stress (CS) on growth performance and tibia attributes in broiler chickens with thiram-induced dyschondroplasia (TD). Four hundred 10-day-old male broilers were randomly allocated into four groups including, NT0: normal temperature (NT) without thiram; NT50: NT + thiram; CS0: CS without thiram; and CS50: CS + thiram in a completely randomised. The birds in CS groups were placed at a constant temperature of 15 ± 1°C during 11-20 days. Thiram (50 mg/kg) was added to the diet during 11-14 days to induce TD. Results showed that main effects of CS and thiram significantly decreased body weight and daily weight gain during 11-42 days (p < 0.05). Feed intake in the thiram50 group was significantly lower than the group thiram0 during 25-42 days (p < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio in CS birds was significantly more than NT group during 25-42 days (p < 0.05). On day 16, tibia width (TW) and TW to tibia length (TL) ratio were significantly higher in CS chicks compared to the NT group. TW was significantly higher in thiram50 group than thiram0 group (p < 0.05). On day 19, TL in CS chicks was significantly shorter than NT (p < 0.05). On day 23, growth plate width (GPW) in thiram50 group was significantly higher than thiram0 birds. In general, thiram increased tibial GPW and CS decreased TD severity as well as decreased growth performance in broilers.

Bioremediation of tetramethyl thiuram disulfide and resource utilization of natural rubber wastewater by WR-2 Bacillus-dominated microbial community

Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (TMTD), an emerging pollutant with ecotoxicity and accumulation in rubber wastewater, is directly discharged by factories into the surrounding soil to save costs, and this disrupts the nearby ecosystem. In this study, an efficient bioremediation microbial community (WR-2) dominated by Bacillus was acclimatized and isolated from soil contaminated by rubber wastewater. After passing through the metabolic process of WR-2, the ecotoxic TMTD decomposes within 14 days. In the pot experiment, WR-2 not only completed the bioremediation of contaminated soil but also significantly improved the crop growth conditions and the product quality. These results show that WR-2 has broad application prospects in the bioremediation of soil contaminated by rubber wastewater. It also provides a theoretical framework for the resource utilization of the effluent at the end of the initial rubber processing.

Screening of Proliferation-Related Genes and Pathological Changes in Thiram-Induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia

Materials and Methods

Three hundred sixty (n = 360) broiler chickens were equally divided into control (C) and thiram (T) groups. Furthermore, the C and T groups were dividedinto 8-, 9-, 11-, and 13-day-old chickens.

Results

Clinically, it was observed that broiler chickens of group T had abnormal posture, gait, and lameness, and histopathological results revealed dead and abnormal chondrocytes of T group on day 6. Real-time qPCR results showed that HDAC1, MTA1, H4, and PCNA genes were significantly expressed (P < 0.05). HDAC1 was upregulated on days 1, 2, 4, and 6 (P < 0.01); MTA1 was upregulated on days 1 and 2 (P < 0.01); H4 was upregulated on days 2 and 4 (P < 0.01), and PCNA was downregulated on days 1, 2, and 4 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IHC results of HDAC1 protein were significantly (P < 0.01) expressed in proliferative zone of day 1 and hypertrophic zone of day 6. MTA1 protein was significantly (P < 0.01) expressed on days 1, 2, and 6 in all zones, except prehypertrophic zone of day 2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mRNA expressions of HDAC1, MTA1, H4, and PCNA were differentially expressed in the chondrocytes of thiram-induced TD chickens. HDAC1 and MTA1 protein expression found involved and responsible in the abnormal chondrocytes' proliferation of broiler chicken.

Thiram exposure in environment: A critical review on cytotoxicity

Thiram is used in large quantities in agriculture and may contaminate the environment by improper handling or storage in chemical plants and warehouses. A review of the literature has shown that thiram can affect different organs in animals and its toxic mechanisms can be elucidated in more detail at molecular level. We have summarized several impacts of thiram on animals: the effects of the perspectives of oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, autophagy, apoptosis, and the IHH/PTHrP pathway on regulating abnormal skeletal development in particular tibial dyschondroplasia and kyphosis; angiogenesis inhibition was investigated from the perspective of angiogenesis factor inhibition, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and CD147; the inhibition effect of thiram on fibroblasts and erythrocytes via the perspective of oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and inhibition of growth factors in animal skin fibroblasts and erythrocytes; studied fertilized egg size, reduced fertility, neurodegeneration, and immune damage from the perspectives of CYP51 inhibition and dopamine-b-hydroxylase inhibition in the reproductive system, vitamin D deficiency in the nervous system, and inflammatory damage in the immune system; embryonic dysplasia in terms of thyroid hormone repression in animal embryonic development and repression of the SOX9a transcription factor. The elucidation of the mechanisms of toxicity of thiram on various organs of animals at molecular level will enable a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity of thiram in animals and will facilitate the exploration of the treatment of thiram poisoning at molecular level.

Analytical and toxicological aspects of dithiocarbamates: an overview of the last 10 years

Compilation studies related to toxicological aspects and also biological monitoring and analysis methods for specific fungicides and, mainly, those that belong to the class of the dithiocarbamates (DTCs) have not been carried out at least in the last ten years. DTCs - dimethyldithiocarbamates, ethylenebisditiocarbamates, propylenebisditiocarbamates - are organosulfur compounds that form complexes due to the presence of different chemical elements, which bind strongly and inhibit enzymes that are essential to the functioning of the organism, causing a serious proven adverse effect on biological systems, such as alteration of thyroid hormones, teratogenesis and neurotoxicity. It is still evident, as shown by world data, that the growing consumption of fungicides has increasingly exposed the population in general and, in particular, workers who deal with these substances. There is a scarcity of studies in the literature discussing the toxicological and analytical aspects that are important for understanding the real effects of DTCs and monitoring human exposure to them. Therefore, the aim of this work was to expose, in a comprehensive way and through a narrative review, the negligence of research related to the fungicides of the DTCs class, their metabolites, as well as the toxicological and analytical aspects involved. The review is divided into two parts: (1) Toxicological aspects, including toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics and toxidromes; and (2) Analytical Toxicology, which comprises biomarkers, sample preparation and identification/quantification methods.

Screening of toll-like receptor signaling pathway-related genes and the response of recombinant glutathione S-transferase A3 protein to thiram induced apoptosis in chicken erythrocytes

The expression of genes related to the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling pathway were determined. Group A, B and C fed with basal diet and group D, E and F induced TD by feeding a basal diet containing 100 mg·kg-1 thiram. rGSTA3 protein was injected at 20 μg·kg-1 in group B, E and at 50 μg·kg-1 in C, F. Results suggested that lameness and death of chondrocytes were significant on day 14. TLRs signaling pathway related genes were screened based on the transcriptome enrichment, and validated on qPCR. IL-7, TLR2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 15, MyD88, MHC-II, MDA5 and TRAF6 were significantly (p < 0.05) expressed in group E and F as compared to group D on day 14 and 23. IL-7, MHCII, TRAF6, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR15 determined insignificant in group D compared to group A on day 23. TD occur in an early phase and alleviated in the later period. rGSTA3 protein can prevent apoptosis and repair degraded chondrocytes.

Effect of total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae in thiram induced cytotoxicity of chondrocyte via BMP-2/Runx2 and IHH/PTHrP expressions

Tibial Dyschondroplasia (TD) is a prevailing skeletal disorder that mainly affects rapidly growing avian species. It results in reduced bone strength, lameness and an increase risk of fragility fractures. Total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae (TFRD) have been used as an effective treatment of different bone diseases in humans. The current in vitro study was conducted to explore the therapeutic effect of TFRD on thiram-induced cytotoxicity in avian growth plate cells via bone morphogenetic protein-2/runt related transcription factor-2 (BMP-2/Runx2) and Indian hedgehog/Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (IHH/PTHrP) expressions. Chondrocytes were isolated, cultured and refined from chicken's tibial growth plates in a special medium. Then chondrocytes were treated with sublethal thiram having less concentration (2.5 μg/mL) to induce cytotoxicity of chondrocyte, and then treated with providential doses (100 μg/mL) of TFRD. Thiram caused distorted morphology of chondrocytes, nuclei appeared disintegration or lysed along with decreased expressions of BMP-2/Runx2 and IHH/PTHrP. TFRD administration not only enhanced the viability of chondrocytes by itself, but also well restored the damage caused by thiram on growth plate chondrocytes by significantly up-regulating the expressions of BMP-2/Runx2 and IHH/PTHrP. Therefore, this study provides a novel insight into the further treatment of TD and other skeletal ailments and lays the foundation for prevention and treatment.

Two-dimensional self-assembled Au-Ag core-shell nanorods nanoarray for sensitive detection of thiram in apple using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The development of substrate with high sensitivity and good reproducibility for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of contaminants in foods has attracted more and more attention. Herein, a stable two-dimensional (2D) Au-Ag core-shell nanorods (Au@Ag NRs) nanoarray substrate with high-performance SERS activity was developed based on interface self-assembly strategy and successfully applied to the detection of thiram in apple sample. A broad linearity range of 0.01-10 mg/L and a low limit of detection of 0.018 mg/L were achieved for thiram solution. The substrate was stable and exhibited satisfactory sensitivity after preserving at ambient temperature for 4 weeks. Furthermore, this method presented the comparable result to that acquired from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with satisfactory recoveries of 93-116%. The study indicated that the prepared Au@Ag NRs nanoarray substrate was promising for SERS detection of contaminants such as pesticides in foods.

Cellular, molecular and genetical overview of avian tibial dyschondroplasia

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is an intractable avian bone disease that causes severe poultry economic losses. The pathogenicity of TD is unknown. Therefore, TD disease has not been evacuated yet. Based on continuous research findings, we have gone through the molecular and cellular insight into the TD and proposed possible pathogenicity for future studies. Immunity and angiogenesis-related genes expressed in the erythrocytes of chicken, influenced the apoptosis of chicken chondrocytes to cause TD. TD could be defined as the irregular, unmineralized and un-vascularized mass of cartilage, which is caused by apoptosis, degeneration and insufficient blood supply at the site of the chicken growth plate. The failure of angiogenesis attributed improper nutrients supply to the chondrocytes; ultimately, bone development stopped, poor calcification of cartilage matrix, and apoptosis of chondrocytes occurred. Recent studies explore potential signaling pathways that regulated TD in broiler chickens, including parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), transforming growth factor β (TGF- β)/bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Several studies have reported many medicines to treat TD. However, recently, rGSTA3 protein (50 μg·kg^-1) is considered the most proper TD treatment. The present review has summarized the molecular and cellular insight into the TD, which will help researchers in medicine development to evacuate TD completely.

Recombinant glutathione-S-transferase A3 protein regulates the angiogenesis-related genes of erythrocytes in thiram induced tibial lesions

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a skeletal deformity disease in broilers that occurs when vascularization in the growth plate (GP) is below normal. Although, blood vessels have been reported to contribute significantly in bone formation. Therefore, in the current study, we have examined the mRNA expression of angiogenesis-related genes in erythrocytes of thiram induced TD chickens by qRT-PCR and performed histopathological analysis to determine regulatory effect of recombinant Glutathione-S-Transferase A3 (rGSTA3) protein in response to the destructive effect of thiram following the injection of rGSTA3 protein. Histopathology results suggested that, blood vessels of GPs were damaged in thiram induced TD chicken group (D), it also affected the area and density of blood vessels. In the 20 and 50 μg·kg^-1 of rGSTA3 protein-administered groups, E and F vessels appeared to be normal and improved on day 6 and 15. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results showed that rGSTA3 protein significantly (P < .05) up-regulated the expression of the most important angiogenesis-related integrin family genes ITGA2, ITGA5, ITGB2, ITGB3, ITGAV. The expression level of other genes including TBXA2R, FYN, IQGAP2, IL1R1, GIT1, RAP1B, RPL17, RAC2, MAML3, PTPN11, VAV1, PTCH1, NCOR2, CLU and ITGB3 up-regulated on dosage of rGSTA3 protein. In conclusion, angiogenesis is destroyed in thiram induced TD broilers, and rGSTA3 protein injection improved the vascularization of GPs by upregulating the angiogenesis related genes most importantly integrin family genes ITGAV, ITGA2, ITGB2, ITGB3, ITGA5.

Thiram-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in human erythrocytes: an in vitro study

Tetramethylthiuram disulfide, commonly known as thiram, is an organosulfur compound which is used as a bactericide, fungicide and ectoparasiticide to prevent disease in seeds and crops. Being a fungicide there is a high probability of human occupational exposure to thiram and also via consumption of contaminated food. In this work, the cytotoxicity of thiram was studied under in vitro conditions using human erythrocytes as the cellular model. Erythrocytes were incubated with different concentrations of thiram (25-500 μM) for 4 h at 37 °C. Control cells (thiram untreated) were similarly incubated at 37 °C. Whole cells and hemolysates were analyzed for various biochemical parameters. Treatment of erythrocytes with thiram increased protein and lipid oxidation and hydrogen peroxide level in hemolysates but decreased glutathione and total sulfhydryl group content. This was accompanied by hemoglobin oxidation, heme degradation and release of free iron. Activities of all major antioxidant enzymes were inhibited. The antioxidant power of thiram treated erythrocytes was lowered resulting in decreased metal reducing and free radical quenching ability. These results suggest that thiram enhances the generation of reactive species that cause oxidative modification of cell components. This was confirmed by experiments that showed enhanced generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in thiram treated erythrocytes. Activities of marker enzymes of glucose metabolism and erythrocyte membrane were also inhibited. All effects were seen in a thiram concentration-dependent manner. Electron microscopy further supported the damaging effect of thiram on erythrocytes. Thus thiram induces oxidative stress condition in human erythrocytes and causes oxidative modification of cell components.

Transcriptome-based screening of intracellular pathways and angiogenesis related genes at different stages of thiram induced tibial lesions in broiler chickens

Background

The Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in fast-growing chickens is mainly caused by improper blood circulation. The exact mechanism underlying angiogenesis and vascularization in tibial growth plate of broiler chickens remains unclear. Therefore, this research attempts to study genes involved in the regulation of angiogenesis in chicken red blood cells. Twenty-four broiler chickens were allotted into a control and thiram (Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide) group. Blood samples were collected on day 2, 6 (8- and 14-days old chickens) and 15 (23 days old chickens).

Results

Histopathology and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) results showed that angiogenesis decreased on the 6th day of the experiment but started to recover on the 15th day of the experiment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results confirmed the expressions of integrin alpha-v precursor (ITGAV) and clusterin precursor (CLU). Transcriptome sequencing analysis evaluated 293 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 103 up-regulated genes and 190 down-regulated genes were enriched in the pathways of neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), ribosome, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity and the notch signalling pathways. DEGs (n = 20) related to angiogenesis of chicken erythrocytes in the enriched pathways were thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R), interleukin-1 receptor type 1 precursor (IL1R1), ribosomal protein L17 (RPL17), integrin beta-3 precursor (ITGB3), ITGAV, integrin beta-2 precursor (ITGB2), ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2), IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 2 (IQGAP2), ARF GTPase-activating protein (GIT1), proto-oncogene vav (VAV1), integrin alpha-IIb-like (ITGA5), ras-related protein Rap-1b precursor (RAP1B), tyrosine protein kinase Fyn-like (FYN), tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 11 (PTPN11), protein patched homolog 1 (PTCH1), nuclear receptor corepressor 2 (NCOR2) and mastermind like protein 3 (MAML3) selected for further confirmation with qPCR. However, commonly DEGs were sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 3 (ATP2A3), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 R2 (UBE2R2), centriole cilia and spindle-associated protein (CCSAP), coagulation factor XIII A chain protein (F13A1), shroom 2 isoform X6 (SHROOM2), ras GTPase-activating protein 3 (RASA3) and CLU.

Conclusion

We have found potential therapeutic genes concerned to erythrocytes and blood regulation, which regulated the angiogenesis in thiram induced TD chickens. This study also revealed the potential functions of erythrocytes.

Graphical abstract

1. Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in chickens were more on day 6, which started recovering on day 15. 2. The enriched pathway observed in TD chickens on day 6 was ribosome pathway, on day 15 were regulation of actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion pathway. 3. The genes involved in the ribosome pathways was ribosomal protein L17 (RPL17). regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway were Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), Ras-related protein Rap-1b precursor (RAP1B), ARF GTPase-activating protein (GIT1), IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 2 (IQGAP2), Integrin alpha-v precursor (ITGAV), Integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2), Integrin beta-2 precursor (ITGB2), Integrin beta-3 precursor (ITGB3), Integrin alpha-IIb-like (ITGA5). Focal adhesion Proto-oncogene vav (Vav-like), Tyrosine-protein kinase Fyn-like (FYN).

Plastrum Testudinis Extract Mitigates Thiram Toxicity in Broilers via Regulating PI3K/AKT Signaling

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) negatively affects broilers all over the world, in which the accretion of the growth plate (GP) develops into tibial proximal metaphysis. Plastrum testudinis extract (PTE) is renowned as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bone healing agent. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of PTE for the treatment of thiram-induced TD chickens. Broilers (day old; n = 300) were raised for 3 days with normal feed. On the 4th day, three groups (n = 100 each) were sorted, namely, the control (normal diet), TD, and PTE groups (normal diet+ thiram 50 mg/kg). On the 7th day, thiram was stopped in the TD and PTE group, and the PTE group received a normal diet and PTE (30 mg/kg/day). Plastrum testudinis extract significantly restored (p < 0.05) the liver antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, serum biochemicals, GP width, and tibia weight as compared to the TD group. The PTE administration significantly increased (p < 0.05) growth performance, vascularization, AKT (serine/threonine-protein kinase), and PI3K expressions and the number of hepatocytes and chondrocytes with intact nuclei were enhanced. In conclusion, PTE has the potential to heal TD lesions and act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug in chickens exposed to thiram via the upregulation of AKT and PI3K expressions.

Recovery of chicken growth plate by TanshinoneⅡA through wnt/β-catenin pathway in thiram-induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia

Tibial Dyschondroplasia (TD), a metabolic disease of fast growing poultry birds that effects the growth of bone and cartilage, is characterized by anorexia, mental depression and lameness. Wnt/β-catenin pathway can mediate the occurrence of TD, and previous study showed the therapeutic effect of TanshinoneⅡA to TD Broilers. However there is no report about the effect of TanshinoneⅡA treating TD broiler chicken through wnt/β-catenin pathway. The objective of this study was to explore the potential mechanism of how Tanshinone II A treats TD. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to study histologic pathology of growth plates. Key gene expressions were tested by western blot and reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. Results compared with control groups, showed the TD broilers' growth plate performed significantly better by treating with TanshinoneⅡA. After chickens treated by TanshinoneⅡA, the gene and protein expression of WNT5α and BMP-2 were increased (P < 0.05), but the β-catenin were decreased (P < 0.05), which are all key genes expressed in wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore, TanshinoneⅡA can potentially treat TD by affecting the expression of genes in wnt/β-catenin pathway and it has availability to use as treatment for TD broilers.

Transcriptome analysis of MAPK signaling pathway and associated genes to angiogenesis in chicken erythrocytes on response to thiram-induced tibial lesions

This study was planned to investigate TD (Tibial dyschondroplasia) on the potential MAPK signaling pathway and angiogenesis related genes. Forty-eight broilers were allotted into control (C) and treatment (T) groups of 2, 6 and 15 days as C1, C2, C3, T1, T2 and T3. The histopathology results revealed that tibiotarsus bone of chickens had more lesions on day 6 (T2 group). The chondrocytes were disordered, and the size, shape and proliferation were affected. Transcriptome results revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified were 63, 1026, 623, 130, 141 and 146 in C1 (2 days control vs 6 days control); C2 (2 days control vs 15 days control); C3 (6 days control vs 15 days control); T1 (2 days treatment vs 6 days treatment); T2 (2 days treatment vs 15 days treatment) and T3 (6 days treatment vs 15 days treatment) groups respectively. Whereas, 10 angiogenesis related-genes RHOC, MEIS2, BAIAP2, TGFBI, KLF2, CYR61, PTPN11, PLXNC1, HSPH1 and NRP2 were downregulated on day 6 in the treatment group. The pathway which was found enriched in the control and treatment groups was MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore selected 10 MAPK signaling pathway-related genes RAC2, MAP3K1, PRKCB, FLNB, IL1R1, PTPN7, RPS6KA, MAP3K6, GNA12 and HSPA8 which were found significantly downregulated in the treatment group on day 6. It is concluded that angiogenesis and MAPK signaling pathway related genes has an essential role in TD, as those top screened genes found downregulated in the thiram fed chickens when TD observed severed on day 6.

Identification of differentially expressed MiRNAs profile in a thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia

Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (thiram) is a dithiocarbamate, which is widely used on seeds and storing food grains. The incorporation of thiram into the food chain could be a risk for both human beings and animals. Thiram-contaminated feed has been considered a common cause of tibial dyschondrolplasia (TD) in many avian species. The molecular mechanism of action of thiram on TD involving microRNA (miRNA) is not fully understood. For this purpose, the morbidity and pathologic changes were evaluated to understand the TD, and high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed to explore the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEGs). RT-qPCR was used to confirm the validity as compared with sequencing data. The results showed that the marked alterations in the growth plate of the TD chickens were noticeable, with shrinking cells and irregular chondrocyte columns as compared with control group. In this study, we identified total 375 (p < 0.1), 340 (p < 0.05) and 266 (p < 0.01) significant DEGs between the TD and control groups. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that the target miRNAs were significantly enriched in different treatment groups, such as apoptosis, mRNA surveillance pathway, mitophagy-animal, etc. This study provides theoretical basis for in-depth understanding the pathogenesis of thiram-induced TD and explore the new insights towards the proposed molecular mechanism of specific miRNA as biomarkers for effective gene diagnosis and treatment of TD in broilers.

Ligustrazine recovers thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia in chickens: Involvement of new molecules modulating integrin beta 3

Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (thiram) is a dithiocarbamate, which is extensively used in agriculture as pesticide and fungicide for treating grains intended for seed purposes and also for storing food grains. One of the most evident and detrimental effect produced by thiram is tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in many avian species, by feeding diets containing thiram, a growth plate cartilage disease. TD is characterized by the lack of blood vessels and impaired vascular invasion of the hypertrophic chondrocyte resulting in the massive cell death. This study investigated the effects of ligustrazine on the treatment and control of thiram induced-TD. A total of 210 chicks were divided into three equal groups (n = 70): control group (received standard diet), TD group (feed on thiram containing diet from day 3-7), and ligustrazine group (feed on thiram containing diet from day 3-7 and after that ligustrazine @ 30 mg/kg from day 8 to day 18). During the experiment, the lameness, production parameters, tibia bone indicators, pathological index changes and integrin beta 3 (ITGB3) expressions were examined. The results reveal that ligustrazine plays an important role in improving angiogenesis and decreasing chondrocytes damage in TD chicks via a new molecule modulating ITGB3. So, the administration of ligustrazine can be an important way to cope with the losses and costs associated with TD in commercial poultry farming and animal welfare issue due to environmental contamination of thiram.

The protective effects of silybin on the cytotoxicity of thiram in human, rat and chicken cell cultures

The study objective was a determination of thiram cytotoxicity and silybin cytoprotective activity in course of the fungicide impact on cell metabolism and membrane integrity. Firstly, human, rat, chicken hepatoma cells and rat myoblasts cultures were incubated with thiram. The results showed higher sensitivity of myoblasts on thiram exposure than the hepatoma cells. Among hepatoma cells, the chicken cultures were the most sensitive on the fungicide endangering. The mitochondrial activity was the most thiram affected function within all types the cell lines used. When silybin co-acted with thiram, an increase of the cell viability was recorded. The EC₅₀-values were higher for thiram subjected to interaction with silybin than the effect of alone thiram action. The interaction mode between the studied compounds shown by combination index (CI) represented an antagonistic or an additive nature and was depended on thiram concentration, type of the cells and the assay used. Moreover, the morphology changes were dependent on silybin presence in the cell cultures subjected to thiram impact at the same time. Staining with Hoechst 33342 and propidium ioidium revealed the apoptosis cell death in the incubation cultures. Definitely, the results have shown a potential of silybin to protect the cultured cells in course of cytotoxicity induced by thiram. However, future studies taking into account other endpoints of thiram cytotoxicity pathways including species differences and the cytoprotection efficacy could be of interest.

Human Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase 1 Is Inhibited by the Dithiocarbamate Pesticide Thiram

Thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) is a representative dithiocarbamate (DTC) pesticide used in both the field and as a seed protectant. The widespread use of Thiram and other DTC pesticides has raised concerns for health, because these compounds can exert neuropathic, endocrine disruptive, and carcinogenic effects. These toxic effects are thought to rely, at least in part, on the reaction of Thiram (and certain of its metabolites) with cellular protein thiols with subsequent loss of protein function. So far, a limited number of molecular targets of Thiram have been reported, including few enzymes such as dopamine β-hydroxylase, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and brain glycogen phosphorylase. We provide evidence that Thiram is an inhibitor (KI = 23 μM; kinact = 0.085 second-1; kinact/KI = 3691 M-1⋅s-1) of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), a phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme that plays a key role in the biotransformation of aromatic amine xenobiotics. Thiram was found to act as an irreversible inhibitor through the modification of NAT1 catalytic cysteine residue as also reported for other enzymes targeted by this pesticide. We also showed using purified NAT1 and human keratinocytes that Thiram impaired the N-acetylation of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), a major toxic metabolite of aromatic amine pesticides (such as Diuron or Propanil). As coexposure to different classes of pesticides is common, our data suggest that pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions between DTC pesticides such as Thiram and aromatic amine pesticides may occur through alteration of NAT1 enzymes functions.