Abstract
Food additive such as carboxy methyl chitosan (CMC) and mannan (MOS) may have detoxification effect on aflatoxins (AFs). The current study aimed to investigate the role of chitosan and/or mannan in reducing the toxicity of AFs in broiler chickens (cobb500), through improving biochemical, hematological, oxidative stress, and antioxidant parameters. Furthermore, we investigated the impact on histopathological parameters and immune gene expression analysis (caspase 3 and interleukin 1-β). Five equal groups of 50 broilers each were selected (n=10); (G1) given the basal diet, (G2) basal diet intoxicated with 100 ppb AFs kg-1diet; (G3) given as basal diet intoxicated with 100 ppb AFs kg-1diet and supplemented with MAN (1 g kg-1 diet); (G4) given basal diet intoxicated with 100 ppb AFs kg-1diet and supplemented with CMC (0.5 g kg-1 diet) ; and (G5) given basal diet intoxicated with 100 ppb AFs kg-1diet and supplemented with MAN (1 g kg-1 diet)and CMC (0.5 g kg-1 diet). The current study's findings showed that the administration of both MAN and CMC brought hematological parameters back to the level of control. Chicks treated with MAN and/or CMC after being intoxicated with aflatoxins showed a considerable improvement in both renal and hepatic indicators with a notable improvement in antioxidant indicators in the groups receiving CMC and MAN supplements after being exposed to aflatoxicosis. Additionally, chicks treated with MAN and/or COS after being intoxicated with aflatoxins showed a considerable improvement in the gene expression of Caspase-3 and IL-1β. Furthermore, supplemental MAN and/or CMC decreased aflatoxin accumulation in the tissues of the muscles, liver, and kidneys. The groups G3, G4, and G5 showed notable improvements in the hepatic parenchymal architecture in their liver sections. The results of this study confirmed the hypothesis that adding natural additives such mannan and chitosan might enhance the antioxidant capacity and vital parameters of broilers exposed to 100 ppb aflatoxins.

Key words: Aflatoxin , histopathology , Chitosan, Mannan, antioxidants, Interleukin beta-1, Caspase 3