Proceeding of Veterinary and Animal Science Days 2016, 8th- 10th June, Milan, Italy 

HAF © 2013 

Vol. III, No. 1s  ISSN: 2283-3927 

   

 

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Keywords 

Nrf2, oxidative stress, reporter 

mice, omega-3 

 

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR 

Elena Mariani 

elena.mariani1@unimi.it 

 

JOURNAL HOME PAGE 

riviste.unimi.it/index.php/haf 

Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2’s activation 

in transgenic mice fed with high dosage of 

fish oil. 

E. Mariania *, N. Rizzib, N. Cesaric, A. Maggib, G. Savoinia  

 

 a Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety (VESPA), Università degli Studi di 
Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy 

b Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Pharmacological 
Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Balzaretti, 9, 20123 Milan, Italy 

c Polo Veterinario di Lodi, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 20900 Lodi, 
Italy 

 

 

 Abstract 

Some fatty acids, such as CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) and n-3 fatty acids modulate immune and 

inflammatory response in ruminants and monogastrics; their supplementation alters fatty acids profile 

of meat and milk, enhancing their nutritional quality. However, it is still unclear if their addition causes 

oxidative damage to animals. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an important role in cellular 

defenses against oxidative stress, indeed it produces a rapid induction of its target genes involved in 

antioxidant response. The aim of the project is to investigate the activation of Nrf2 in luciferase reporter 

mice fed different amount of n-3 PUFA in the diet (7,5% lard, 7,5% tuna oil, 20 % lard and 20%tuna oil). 

Forty-eight reporter mice are divided into three groups: male, intact female and ovariectomized female. 

Each group is split in four subgroups fed different diets. Oxidative status will be studied monitoring 

Nrf2’s activation with in vivo bioluminescent imaging. The inflammatory and immune response will be 

assessed using calprotectin and lactoferrin levels in faecal samples that are non-invasive techniques. 

The trial is still in progress: on the 62nd day, animals will be sacrificed after a challenge in order to 

measure the different effects of diets and +/- oestrogen on stress response. Finally, the post mortem 

analysis will be carried on extract organs. Data obtained will be analysed using statistical procedures 

and results will improve the knowledge about interaction between omega-3 fatty acids and animals’ 

oxidative status. 
 

References 

Lee, J.M., and Johnson, J.A., 2004. An important role of Nrf2-ARE pathway in the cellular defence mechanism. J Biochem Mol Biol 37, 139-43. 

Maggi, A. and Ciana P., 2005. Reporter mice and drug discovery and development. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 4(3), 249-55.  

Nguyen, T., Nioi, P., and Pickett, C.B., 2009. The Nrf2-antioxidant response element signaling pathway and its activation by oxidative stress. 

J Biol Chem 284, 13291-5. 

Rossi, R., Pastorelli, G., Cannata, S., Corino, C., 2016. Recent advances in the use of fatty acids as supplements in pig diets: A review. Animal 

Feed Science and Technology, 162, 1-11 

Savoini, G., Farina, G., Dell’Orto, V., and Cattaneo, D., 2016. Through ruminant nutrition to human health: role of fatty acids. Advances in 

Animal Biosciences, in press. 

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