الفهرس 
Immuno and nephrotoxicity of ochratoxin A on broiler chicken and a Ttrial for protection
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Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA), a wide-spread mycotoxin, is a secondary metabolite of different fungal species such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. Quercetin (QUE) is one of the flavonoids produced as a plant-secondary metabolite. In this in vivo study, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of QUE against dietary OTA-induced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in the broiler chickens. Forty one-day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly and equally into four groups; control, OTA (0.5 mg/kg feed), QUE (0.5 g/kg feed) and OTA + QUE in the same mentioned concentrations. Our results showed a significant decrease in antibodies response against Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza and Infectious Bronchitis vaccines, as well as the lymphoproliferative response to the injected Phytohemagglutinin-P in the OTA group. Serum biochemical wastes (urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine) were significantly elevated after exposure to OTA. Moreover, antioxidants (catalase and reduced glutathione) were significantly reduced and the malondialdehyde content was significantly increased in kidney, bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus tissues. Additionally, several pathological lesions were showed in organs of the OTA-receiving group. Ochratoxin A also induced apoptosis that was evident by increased PTEN, BAX and Caspase-3 and decreased PI3K, AKT and Bcl-2 genes levels. On the other hand, administration of QUE ameliorated most of the immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of OTA by its immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities. Taken together, the results suggested that QUE potentially alleviated the OTA-induced immunotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in broiler chickens, probably through amelioration of oxidative stress and activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway