ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, IMMUNOMODULATORY AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF LYCOPENE AND VITAMIN E IN E. COLI INFECTED BROILERS

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lycopene in comparison with vitamin E on some inflammatory, immunological, oxidative and biochemical markers in broiler chicks experimentally infected with Escherichia coli. A total of 120 one day old broilers were used and divided equally into 6 groups. Group (1) was fed on the commerciall basal diet without any additives. Group (2): was fed on commercial basal diet plus lycopene (200mg/kg diet). Group (3): was fed on commercial basal diet plus vitamin E (200mg/kg). Group (4): was fed the commercial basal diet and challenged with E. coli O78 at 3 weeks old. Group (5): was fed on commercial basal diet plus lycopene and challenged with E.coli O78 at 3 weeks old. Group (6): was fed on commercial basal diet plus vitamin E and challenged with E.coli at3 weeks old. Clinical signs and mortality were recorded. Some inflammatory, immunological and oxidative marker in addition to some serum biochemical parameters were measured. Infected non-treated group showed significant increases in serum C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, interleukin-1β and interleukin 10 and significant decreases in phagocytic activity and index when compared to control one. Liver malondihyde level showed a significant increase meanwhile, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased in the same group. Results of aspartate transaminase, gamma glutamyle transpeptidase, uric acid, creatinine and total cholesterol revealed significant increases in infected non treated birds. Treatment with lycopene or vitamin E partially protect against the destructive effect of E. coli infection via modulation of the above mentioned parameters with more improvement in case of lycopene treatment.