Lycopene-Mediated Mitigation of Cadmium-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Broilers Is Associated with Restoring Mitochondrial Homeostasis

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant with high bioaccumulation potential, primarily targeting the kidney by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of lycopene (LYC) against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers. In this study, Arbor Acres broilers were administered Cd-containing diets with or without LYC supplementation for 42 days and then assessed growth performance, serum biochemistry, and renal morphology. The results showed that LYC significantly reversed Cd-induced growth inhibition and renal histopathological damage. Further analysis revealed that the alleviating effect of LYC on Cd-driven renal impairment was link to the regulation of the mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy. These results suggested that LYC mitigated Cd-induced nephrotoxicity in broilers were associated with the regulating of mitochondrial quality control-related factors and the restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis. Thereby, this study further demonstrates the mechanism by which LYC alleviates Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.