Taurine effects on cell proliferation and gene expression of apoptosis and oxidative stress in broiler satellite cells under heat stress

This study aimed to investigate the effects of taurine on broiler embryonic muscle-derived satellite cells under heat stress. Satellite cells were extracted from the leg muscle of 18-day-old broiler embryos and cultured under two different temperature (37℃ and 42℃), with or without taurine addition. The experiment comprised four treatment groups: 37℃ without taurine, 37℃ with taurine, 42℃ without taurine, and 42℃ with taurine. Cell survival rates and the expression of genes related to heat shock proteins (HSPs), cell cycle, oxidative stress, and MAPK/ERK-Nrf2 were analyzed, considering the effects of taurine and culture temperature and their interaction. The results showed higher cell survival rates at 42℃, with increased expression of satellite cell markers pax7 and MyoD in all treatment groups. HSP90 and HSP40 gene expressions were significantly upregulated at 42℃, and taurine treatment also led to a significant increase. However, HSP70 expression showed the opposite pattern. In cell cycle-related genes, expect for bcl2, significant differences were observed due to taurine and culture temperature, with an interaction effect observed for p53. Regarding antioxidant-related gene expression, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly upregulated at 42℃ and also in the taurine treatment. extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) showed significant increases and decreases due to 42℃ and taurine, respectively, while c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 displayed opposing results. These diverse findings suggest that broiler satellite cells can undergo proliferation and growth at 42℃, and taurine treatment can enhance their resilience to heat stress, potentially maintaining cellular health even at 37℃.