Oxidative stress and NRF2 gene expression in blood of indigenous pigs

Abstract

The present study examined the variability of oxidative stress levels and NRF2 gene expression between blood samples of piglet and adult pigs of indigenous origin. Among various stressors, higher oxidative stress is one of the most important factors associated with multiple health and managemental problems commonly observed in piglets. NRF2 is a key regulator of transcriptional activation of antioxidant response genes and oxidative stress. Therefore, the present research work was conducted to study NRF2 gene expression in blood samples of indigenous piglets (N=8) and adult pigs (N=8) using de novo synthesized primers specific to Sus Scrofa species. Further, lipid peroxidation levels in RBC hemolysate samples were compared between piglets and adult pigs by measuring Malondialdehyde levels by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay. Association of NRF2 gene expression with MDA lipid peroxidation levels in indigenous pigs were calculated by Pearson’s correlation method. In present study we found, significantly lower levels (P <0.01) of NRF2 gene expression and higher levels (P <0.01) of MDA lipid peroxidation in RBC hemolysate were present in piglets as compared to adult pigs. Further, MDA lipid peroxidation levels were found to significant (P <0.01) negative correlation with NRF2 fold gene expression levels. Low levels of NRF2 expression adversely impacting piglet’s health and makes them prone to higher oxidative stress. Present findings suggest that NRF2 gene expression levels are effective molecular markers for determining, modulating and improving the antioxidant capacity of indigenous piglets.