Transcriptomics of salinomycin's molecular toxicity in chicken heart and liver

Salinomycin (Sal) is used as a coccidiostat to treat coccidiosis disease caused by Eimeria protozoa invasion in avian. Generally, salinomycin has been considered a safe feed additive if the recommended dosage is properly used depending on the animal species. However, in some cases, it has been reported that the accidental use, misuse, or interaction of salinomycin with other drugs generates toxicity in the organism. Yet, the exact molecular mechanisms of salinomycin intoxication have not been fully understood. To understand the salinomycin toxicity mechanism at the cellular level in chicken species we performed high-throughput sequencing using heart and liver samples. Overall design: The experimental group received a diet with salinomycin (0.9 mg/kg b.w daily dose) whereas the control group received a diet without salinomycin for 2 weeks. Heart and liver samples were collected from chicken at week 5. RNA sequencing was carried out with 12 pe samples (6 samples from each tissue).