Abstract
In this study, expressions of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and apoptosis-related genes in piglets and mitochondrial respiration in intestinal porcine epithelial cells were investigated after hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposure. The in vivo results showed that H2O2 influenced intestinal expressions of TLRs and apoptosis related genes. H2O2 treatment (5% and 10%) downregulated uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression in the duodenum (P < 0.05), while low dosage of H2O2 significantly increased UCP2 expression in the jejunum (P < 0.05). In IPEC-J2 cells, H2O2 inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and caused mitochondrial dysfunction via reducing maximal respiration, spare respiratory, non-mitochondrial respiratory, and ATP production (P < 0.05). However, 50 uM H2O2 significantly enhanced mitochondrial proton leak (P < 0.05). In conclusion, H2O2 affected intestinal TLRs system, apoptosis related genes, and mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro models. Meanwhile, low dosage of H2O2 might exhibit a feedback regulatory mechanism against oxidative injury via increasing UCP2 expression and mitochondrial proton leak.