Relationship between some blood metabolites and gene expression of nuclear factor-kappa B with subclinical ketosis in Holstein dairy cows during the transition period

Subclinical ketosis is one of the most important metabolic diseases which irreversible economic effects on the dairy industry. Subclinical ketosis has been associated with increases reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in cells. Since the nuclear factor kappa-B is known as a fast cellular response factor to endogenous stress; this study was conducted to evaluate relative gene expression and some blood metabolites in dairy cattle during the transition period were performed. Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from the tail vein of 100 cows with fourth and fifth lactation one week pre-parturition and one week post-parturition. In the present study, It was found positive correlations between plasma NEFA concentrations in the pre-parturition period and BHBA, GGT, MDA, and NF-κB and negative correlations between plasma NEFA concentration and HDL. As well as, the positive correlations between BHBA plasma concentration and NEFA , ALP, GGT, MDA and NF-κB and negative correlations between plasma BHBA concentration and HDL in the post-parturition period. Also while the cut-off point BHBA≤1.2(Health) and BHBA≥ 1.2(mmol/l)(subclinical ketosis or disease) in the post-parturition period was designated, it was observed that NEFA(p<.0001), BHBA(p<.0001), MDA(p<.0001), GGT(p<.0001) and ALP(p=0.03) were gradually increased, and HDL(p= <.0001) gradually decreased in disease group. The results showed that the activity of NF-κB (p<.0001) was gradually increased in the disease group. Also results showed that increased NEFAs and BHBA increased inflammation response through activating the NF-κB pathway and oxidative stress.