Cardioprotective and Hepatoprotective Activity of Silymarin in Broiler Chickens Fed on Mash and Pellet Diets

BACKGROUND: The liver and heart are two main damaged organs in ascites syndrome in fast-growing broilers. Using silymarin with a protective effect on the liver and heart may be a beneficial strategy to decrease ascites-induced mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the cardiohepatic effects of silymarin in broilers fed on mash and pellet diets by assessing electrocardiographic (ECG) indices and some serum biochemical parameters. METHODS: A total of 120 Arbor Acres chicks were allocated to 6 groups and treated as follows: basal mash diet (CM); basal pellet diet (CP); silymarin at 500 ppm of mash (M500) and pellet diets (P500); and silymarin at 2500 ppm of mash (M2500) and pellet diets (P2500). RESULTS: CP had higher serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) enzymes compared to CM (P 0.05). P2500 had a higher total protein and lower aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and CK-MB compared to CP (P 0.05). T-duration, ST-segment, and R-R intervals were longer in CP compared to CM and were shorter in P2500 than in CP and P500 (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pellet diet led to changes in some biochemical and ECG indices in broilers, and silymarin at the 2500 ppm dose can be used as a hepatoprotective and cardioprotective compound to modulate cardiohepatic failure in susceptible broilers.