The Impact of Dietary Melatonin on Heart and Lung Telomere Length and Shelterin Protein Gene Expression of Pulmonary Hypertensive Broiler Chickens.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) is a common metabolic disease in broiler chickens linked to oxidative stress. This study explored the potential of melatonin, an antioxidant, to improve PHS response and telomere structure in chickens with cold-induced PHS. METHODS: We investigated the effects of dietary melatonin supplementation on telomere length and the expression of genes related to telomere protection (shelterin genes) in the heart and lungs of broiler chickens with PHS. RESULTS: Melatonin supplementation improved telomere length in the heart tissue of chickens with PHS. We also observed changes in the expression of genes (TRF1, RAP1, and TPP1) responsible for protecting telomeres, suggesting a potential mechanism for melatonin's beneficial effects. Melatonin's impact was more pronounced in the heart than in the lungs. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin may help protect cardiac cells during PHS by improving telomere length and influencing the activity of genes involved in telomere protection. These findings suggest that melatonin could be a valuable tool in managing heart cell dysfunction associated with PHS in poultry.