Silver nanoparticles administered to chicken affect VEGFA and FGF2 gene expression in breast muscle and heart

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Anna Malgorzata Hotowy
  • Ewa Sawosz
  • Lane Manalili Pineda
  • Filip Sawosz
  • Marta Grodzik
  • Chwalibog, André
Nanoparticles of colloidal silver (AgNano) can influence gene expression. Concerning trials of AgNano application in poultry as antimicrobial and metabolic agents, it is useful to reveal whether they affect the expression of genes crucial for bird development. AgNano were administered to broiler chickens as a water solution in two concentrations (10 and 20 ppm). After dissection of the birds, breast muscles and hearts were collected. Gene expression of FGF2 and VEGF on the mRNA and protein levels were evaluated using qPCR and ELISA methods. The results for gene expression in breast muscle revealed significant changes on the mRNA level (FGF2 was up-regulated) but not on the protein level. In the heart, 20 ppm of AgNano in drinking water increased the expression of VEGFA, at the same time decreasing FGF2 expression both on the transcriptional and translational levels. Changes in the expression of these genes may lead to histological changes, but this needs to be proven using histological and immunohistochemical examination of tissues. In general, we showed that AgNano application in poultry feeding can influence the expression of FGF2 and VEGFA genes on the mRNA and protein levels in growing chicken.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNanoscale Research Letters
Volume7
Issue number418
Number of pages17
ISSN1931-7573
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

ID: 40915182