Inosine ameliorates the effects of hemin-induced oxidative stress in broilers

a r t i c l e i n f o The objective of these studies was to determine whether inosine, a precursor of the antioxidant uric acid, can ameliorate hemin-induced oxidative stress. Dietary inclusion of inosine was begun either before or after hemin-induced oxidative stress. Broilers (4 weeks) were divided into four treatment groups (Control, Hemin, Inosine, Hemin/Inosine). Throughout the study control birds (n=10) were injected daily with a buffer solution, while hemin birds (n=10) were injected daily (i.p.) with a 20 mg/kg body weight hemin buffer solution. Leukocyte oxidative activity (LOA) and concentrations of plasma uric acid (PUA) were measured. Results from the ! rst study showed that hemin birds had increased levels of LOA (P=0.0333) and lower PUA (P=0.1174). On day 10, control and hemin birds were subdivided into inosine birds (n=5) and hemin/inosine birds (n=5). These birds were given 0.6 M/kg of feed/day of dry inosine. Plasma concentrations of uric acid and LOA were then measured on day 15. Results showed that inosine raised concentrations of PUA (P=0.0001) and lowered LOA (P=0.0044) as induced by hemin. In the second study pretreatment of broilers with hemin prevented the increase in LOA induced by hemin (P=0.0001). These results show that modulating the concentrations of uric acid can markedly affect oxidative stress.