OBJECTIVETo study the changes in the levels of authophagy-related proteins ATG4A and p-ATG4A in nervous tissue after treated with tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate and explore the possible pathogenesis of OPIDN.

METHODSIn the first experiment, thirty hens were randomly divided into control group and 1 d, 5 d, 10 d and 21d treated groups, hens in treated groups were treated with TOCP by gavage at a single dosage of 600 mg/kg. In the second experiment, other thirty hens were also randomly divided into control group and 1 d, 5 d, 10 d and 21 d treated groups, hens in treated group were pretreated with PMSF by subcutaneous at a single dosage of 90 mg/kg. 24 h later, hens in intervention group was treated with TOCP by gavage at a single dosage of 600 mg/kg. The hens were killed at the corresponding time points, and collected their tibial nerves. The levels of ATG4A and p-ATG4A were measured by immunoblotting.

RESULTScompared with the control group, the levels of ATG4A decreased by36%, 43.7% and 41% at 1d, 5d and 10d in the intoxication groups (P < 0.05), the levels of p-ATG4A decreased by 22.5%, 25%and 21%at 1d, 5d and 10d in the intoxication group (P < 0.05). However, compared with the control group, there is no significant change in the levels of ATG4A and p-ATG4A in PMSF-pretreated groups.

CONCLUSIONThe intoxication of TOCP influence the levels of autophagy-related proteins ATG4A and p-ATG4A, which might be associated with the inhibition of autophagy activity in neurons of OPIDN.