532
P. F. Surai and I. I. Kochish
20.6 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Among many important biological functions of carotenoids, their participation in
building an effective antioxidant defence network could be of vital importance.
Indeed, biological value of direct AO activity of carotenoids associated with scavenging ROS is probably not very high (Costantini and Møller 2008). It seems likely
that indirect effects of carotenoids on the antioxidant defences via upregulation of
Nrf2 (Zhao et al. 2017; Li et al. 2018b; Yu et al. 2018; Chang et al. 2018; Yang et al.
2018; Xie et al. 2018; Zhu et al. 2018; Hu et al. 2018; Lin et al. 2018; Niu et al.
2018; Xue et al. 2019) and downregulation of NF-κB (Sahin et al. 2017; Zhao et al.
2017; Shi et al. 2018; Barros et al. 2018; Sung and Kim 2018; Chang et al. 2018;
Icel et al. 2019; Li et al. 2019) are a driving force of their beneficial effect in avian
species in general and in poultry production in particular. In fact, it is proven that
non-provitamin A carotenoids (lutein, CX, astaxanthin and lycopene) are important
regulators of cell-mediated and humoral immune response in animals and humans
(Moller et al. 2000; Chew and Park 2004). Recent studies on the role of carotenoids in
gene regulation and apoptosis have substantially advanced our understanding of the
possible mechanisms by which carotenoids regulate immune functions. For example,
a number of differentially expressed genes in chicken muscles as a result of carotenoid
dietary supplementation at 100 mg/kg have been identified (Tarique et al. 2014). In
particular, in CX and lutein supplemented chickens there were 54 (32 upregulated
and 22 downregulated) and 23 (15 upregulated and 8 downregulated) altered known
genes, respectively. In fact, the differently expressed genes are shown to be involved
in important biological processes, including pigmentation, growth, molecular mechanisms, fat metabolism, cell proliferation, immune response, lipid metabolism and
protein synthesis and degradation (Tarique et al. 2014). Carotenoid protective effects
in chicken/avian embryonic development deserve more attention and warrant further
investigation. Advances in CX usage in poultry breeder nutrition are an example of
successful carotenoid application in aviculture.
Acknowledgements Peter F. Surai and Ivan I. Kochish are supported by a grant of the Government
of Russian Federation (Contract No. 14.W03.31.0013).
References
Annison, E. F. (1983). Lipid metabolism. In: B. M. Freeman (Ed.), Physiology and biochemistry of
the domestic fowl (Vol. 4, pp. 165–174). London: Academic Press.
Babin, A., Biard, C., & Moret, Y. (2010, August). Dietary supplementation with carotenoids
improves immunity without increasing its cost in a crustacean. American Naturalist, 176(2),
234–241.
Babin, A., Saciat, C., Teixeira, M., Troussard, J. P., Motreuil, S., Moreau, J., et al. (2015). Limiting
immunopathology: Interaction between carotenoids and enzymatic antioxidant defences. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 49, 278–281.
P. F. Surai and I. I. Kochish
20.6 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Among many important biological functions of carotenoids, their participation in
building an effective antioxidant defence network could be of vital importance.
Indeed, biological value of direct AO activity of carotenoids associated with scavenging ROS is probably not very high (Costantini and Møller 2008). It seems likely
that indirect effects of carotenoids on the antioxidant defences via upregulation of
Nrf2 (Zhao et al. 2017; Li et al. 2018b; Yu et al. 2018; Chang et al. 2018; Yang et al.
2018; Xie et al. 2018; Zhu et al. 2018; Hu et al. 2018; Lin et al. 2018; Niu et al.
2018; Xue et al. 2019) and downregulation of NF-κB (Sahin et al. 2017; Zhao et al.
2017; Shi et al. 2018; Barros et al. 2018; Sung and Kim 2018; Chang et al. 2018;
Icel et al. 2019; Li et al. 2019) are a driving force of their beneficial effect in avian
species in general and in poultry production in particular. In fact, it is proven that
non-provitamin A carotenoids (lutein, CX, astaxanthin and lycopene) are important
regulators of cell-mediated and humoral immune response in animals and humans
(Moller et al. 2000; Chew and Park 2004). Recent studies on the role of carotenoids in
gene regulation and apoptosis have substantially advanced our understanding of the
possible mechanisms by which carotenoids regulate immune functions. For example,
a number of differentially expressed genes in chicken muscles as a result of carotenoid
dietary supplementation at 100 mg/kg have been identified (Tarique et al. 2014). In
particular, in CX and lutein supplemented chickens there were 54 (32 upregulated
and 22 downregulated) and 23 (15 upregulated and 8 downregulated) altered known
genes, respectively. In fact, the differently expressed genes are shown to be involved
in important biological processes, including pigmentation, growth, molecular mechanisms, fat metabolism, cell proliferation, immune response, lipid metabolism and
protein synthesis and degradation (Tarique et al. 2014). Carotenoid protective effects
in chicken/avian embryonic development deserve more attention and warrant further
investigation. Advances in CX usage in poultry breeder nutrition are an example of
successful carotenoid application in aviculture.
Acknowledgements Peter F. Surai and Ivan I. Kochish are supported by a grant of the Government
of Russian Federation (Contract No. 14.W03.31.0013).
References
Annison, E. F. (1983). Lipid metabolism. In: B. M. Freeman (Ed.), Physiology and biochemistry of
the domestic fowl (Vol. 4, pp. 165–174). London: Academic Press.
Babin, A., Biard, C., & Moret, Y. (2010, August). Dietary supplementation with carotenoids
improves immunity without increasing its cost in a crustacean. American Naturalist, 176(2),
234–241.
Babin, A., Saciat, C., Teixeira, M., Troussard, J. P., Motreuil, S., Moreau, J., et al. (2015). Limiting
immunopathology: Interaction between carotenoids and enzymatic antioxidant defences. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 49, 278–281.