Experimental coccidiosis influences the expression of the ABCB1 gene, a physiological important functional marker of intestinal integrity in chickens.

Efflux transporters belonging to the family of ABC transporters have an important functional role in the maintenance of the intestinal barrier. As efflux transporters they prevent the absorption of toxic substances from feed, while at the same time facilitating the excretion of metabolic waste products as well as drugs from the circulation into the intestinal lumen. As Eimeria tenella infection significantly affects the integrity of caecum, the effects of experimental E. tenella infection on the levels of expression of ABCB1 mRNAs in the intestines and livers of broilers were evaluated. ABCB1 mRNA expression was quantified by qRT-PCR. Its expression levels were significantly down-regulated in the caecum of infected animals. The levels of ABCB1 mRNA were not changed in the duodenum and the liver. After treatment of the animals with sulfapyrazine for three days, not only a significant improvement of the clinical appearance but also a normalization of the P-gp expression was noticed. Although the current study cannot distinguish between the direct effect of the drug on the host and the drug action on the parasite, these results suggest that the treatment of coccidiosis with sulfachlorpyrazine also restored the expression of the investigated efflux transporter in the caecum. This is of clinical significance as P-glycoproteins contribute to the integrity of intestines and their function as important biological barriers, protecting poultry from pathogens and toxic compounds in animal feeds.