Vitamin C protects piglet liver against zearalenone-induced oxidative stress by modulating expression of nuclear receptors PXR and CAR and their target genes

vitamin C to dietary zearalenone decreased the effects of zearalenone on the liver coefficient, ZEN residues and oxidative stress, which decreased the level of MDA and increased the levels of SOD, T-AOC and GSHPx in the liver of piglets. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mRNA levels of nuclear receptor genes (PXR, CAR), phase I metabolic enzyme genes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1A6) and phase II metabolic enzyme genes (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6). In conclusion, vitamin C can alleviate damage to the liver of weaning piglets by modulating the nuclear receptor signaling pathway.