The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of porcine lipid metabolism-related genes1

Docosahexaenoic Acid Suppresses Expression of Adipogenic Tetranectin through Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein and Forkhead Box O Protein in Pigs

Tetranectin (TN), a plasminogen-binding protein originally involved in fibrinolysis and bone formation, was later identified as a secreted adipokine from human and rat adipocytes and positively correlated with adipogenesis and lipid metabolism in adipocytes. To elucidate the nutritional regulation of adipogenic TN from diets containing different sources of fatty acids (saturated, n-6, n-3) in adipocytes, we cloned the coding region of porcine TN from a cDNA library and analyzed tissue expressions in weaned piglets fed with 2% soybean oil (SB, enriched in n-6 fatty acids), docosahexaenoic acid oil (DHA, an n-3 fatty acid) or beef tallow (BT, enriched in saturated and n-9 fatty acids) for 30 d. Compared with tissues in the BT- or SB-fed group, expression of TN was reduced in the adipose, liver and lung tissues from the DHA-fed group, accompanied with lowered plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterols. This in vivo reduction was also confirmed in porcine primary differentiated adipocytes supplemented with DHA in vitro. Then, promoter analysis was performed. A 1956-bp putative porcine TN promoter was cloned and transcription binding sites for sterol regulatory-element binding protein (SREBP)-1c or forkhead box O proteins (FoxO) were predicted on the TN promoter. Mutating binding sites on porcine TN promoters showed that transcriptional suppression of TN by DHA on promoter activity was dependent on specific response elements for SREBP-1c or FoxO. The inhibited luciferase promoter activity by DHA on the TN promoter coincides with reduced gene expression of TN, SREBP-1c, and FoxO1 in human embryonic kidney HEK293T cells supplemented with DHA. To conclude, our current study demonstrated that the adipogenic TN was negatively regulated by nutritional modulation of DHA both in pigs in vivo and in humans/pigs in vitro. The transcriptional suppression by DHA on TN expression was partly through SREBP-1c or FoxO. Therefore, down-regulation of adipogenic tetranectin associated with fibrinolysis and adipogenesis may contribute to the beneficial effects of DHA on ameliorating obesity-induced metabolic syndromes such as atherosclerosis and adipose dysfunctions.

The influence of dietary corn distillers dried grains with solubles during gestation of sows on fatty acid composition of colostrum and offspring

Thirty-six sows were randomly assigned to three treatments and fed 0, 125, or 250 g kg−1 corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding DDGS to sows during gestation on the fatty acid composition of colostrum and offspring. In colostrum, feeding 0–250 g kg−1 DDGS resulted in linear increase (P < 0.001) in linoleic acid (18:2n-6) level (from 14.7% to 19.8%) and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) level (from 16.9% to 22.8%), and linear decrease (P < 0.05) in levels of palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid (18:1 cis-9), and total saturated fatty acid (SFA). In addition, the percentage of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) in colostrum was increased from 0.56% to 1.23% (linear effect, P < 0.001, and quadratic effect, P = 0.010) with increasing level of DDGS. Feeding DDGS to sows resulted in linear increase (P < 0.05) in levels of 18:2n-6 (from 13.9% to 20.4%), 20:4n-6 (from 0.53% to 0.73%), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, from 0.28% to 0.37%), and total PUFA (from 15.9% to 22.6%), and linear decrease (P < 0.001) in levels of 16:0 and SFA of carcass of newborn piglets. The results demonstrated that feeding 125 or 250 g kg−1 corn DDGS to sows increased the proportions of 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6, and total PUFA and decreased the proportions of 16:0 and total SFA in sow colostrum and the carcasses of newborn piglets, implying that inclusion of corn DDGS in diets for sows can alter fatty composition of colostrum and piglets.

Docosahexaenoic acid increases accumulation of adipocyte triacylglycerol through up-regulation of lipogenic gene expression in pigs

Background

Changing dietary fatty acid composition in modern diet influences the prevalence of obesity. Increasing evidences suggest favorable effects of n-3 PUFA for protecting against obesity and the metabolic syndrome. However, the regulation of n-3 PUFA in adipose is still unclear. Thus, this study addressed metabolism of different dietary fats in the adipose tissue of porcine model.

Methods

Eight-week-old cross-bred pigs were randomly assigned to three groups and fed a 2% fat diet for 30 days from either soybean oil (SBO), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or beef tallow. An in vitro experiment was conducted in which linoleic acid (LA), DHA or oleic acid (OA) were added to represent the major fatty acid in the SBO-, DHA- or BT- diets, respectively. Adipocytes size and lipid metabolism related genes were analyzed.

Results

Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) was lower in DHA- than in BT-fed pigs, and the product of lipolysis, glycerol was highest in BT-fed pigs. In addition, expression of the lipolytic genes, adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone sensitive lipase was higher in BT-fed pigs and with OA treatment in vitro. DHA promoted protein kinase A activity in pigs without affecting lipolytic genes. Adipocyte cell sizes, TAG content and expression of lipogenic-related genes including, adipose differentiated related protein (ADRP) and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) were elevated by DHA in vivo and in vitro, indicating DHA promoted adipogenesis to trap TAG in adipose tissue. Fatty acid β-oxidation genes were increased in the DHA-fed pigs.

Conclusion

This effect was partly explained by the effect of DHA to promote adipogenesis to trap TAG in adipocytes and also increase expression of genes involved in adipocyte fatty acid oxidation. Therefore, our results suggest a direct effect of DHA on adipocyte metabolism, resulting in TAG turnover and fatty acid dissipation to facilitate plasma lipid uptake from the circulation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12944-017-0428-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of α -linolenic acid and DHA intake on lipogenesis and gene expression involved in fatty acid metabolism in growing-finishing pigs

The regulation of lipogenesis mechanisms related to consumption ofn-3 PUFA is poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to find out whetherα-linolenic acid (ALA) or DHA uptake can have an effect on activities and gene expressions of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver, subcutaneous adipose tissue andlongissimus dorsi(LD) muscle of growing–finishing pigs. Six groups of ten pigs received one of six experimental diets supplemented with rapeseed oil in the control diet, extruded linseed, microalgae or a mixture of both to implement different levels of ALA and DHA with the same content in totaln-3. Results were analysed for linear and quadratic effects of DHA intake. The results showed that activities of malic enzyme (ME) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) decreased linearly in the liver with dietary DHA. Although the expression of the genes of these enzymes and their activities were poorly correlated,MEandFASexpressions also decreased linearly with DHA intake. The intake of DHA down-regulates the expressions of other genes involved in fatty acid (FA) metabolism in some tissues of pigs, such asfatty acid desaturase 2andsterol-regulatory element binding transcription factor 1in the liver and2,4-dienoyl CoA reductase 2in the LD muscle. FA oxidation in the LD muscle and FA synthesis decreased in the liver with increasing amount of dietary DHA, whereas a retroconversion of DHA into EPA seems to be set up in this last tissue.

Isolation and Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Porcine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues

Obesity is an unconstrained worldwide epidemic. Unraveling molecular controls in adipose tissue development holds promise to treat obesity or diabetes. Although numerous immortalized adipogenic cell lines have been established, adipose-derived stem cells from the stromal vascular fraction of subcutaneous white adipose tissues provide a reliable cellular system ex vivo much closer to adipose development in vivo. Pig adipose-derived stem cells (pADSC) are isolated from 7- to 9-day old piglets. The dorsal white fat depot of porcine subcutaneous adipose tissues is sliced, minced and collagenase digested. These pADSC exhibit strong potential to differentiate into adipocytes. Moreover, the pADSC also possess multipotency, assessed by selective stem cell markers, to differentiate into various mesenchymal cell types including adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. These pADSC can be used for clarification of molecular switches in regulating classical adipocyte differentiation or in direction to other mesenchymal cell types of mesodermal origin. Furthermore, extended lineages into cells of ectodermal and endodermal origin have recently been achieved. Therefore, pADSC derived in this protocol provide an abundant and assessable source of adult mesenchymal stem cells with full multipotency for studying adipose development and application to tissue engineering of regenerative medicine.

Dietary Fish Oil Inhibits Pro-Inflammatory and ER Stress Signalling Pathways in the Liver of Sows during Lactation

Lactating sows have been shown to develop typical signs of an inflammatory condition in the liver during the transition from pregnancy to lactation. Hepatic inflammation is considered critical due to the induction of an acute phase response and the activation of stress signaling pathways like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR), both of which impair animal's health and performance. Whether ER stress-induced UPR is also activated in the liver of lactating sows and whether dietary fish oil as a source of anti-inflammatory effects n-3 PUFA is able to attenuate hepatic inflammation and ER stress-induced UPR in the liver of sows is currently unknown. Based on this, two experiments with lactating sows were performed. The first experiment revealed that ER stress-induced UPR occurs also in the liver of sows during lactation. This was evident from the up-regulation of a set of genes regulated by the UPR and numerically increased phosphorylation of the ER stress-transducer PERK and PERK-mediated phosphorylation of eIF2α and IκB. The second experiment showed that fish oil inhibits ER stress-induced UPR in the liver of lactating sows. This was demonstrated by decreased mRNA levels of a number of UPR-regulated genes and reduced phosphorylation of PERK and PERK-mediated phosphorylation of eIF2α and IκB in the liver of the fish oil group. The mRNA levels of various nuclear factor-κB-regulated genes encoding inflammatory mediators and acute phase proteins in the liver of lactating sows were also reduced in the fish oil group. In line with this, the plasma levels of acute phase proteins were reduced in the fish oil group, although differences to the control group were not significant. In conclusion, ER stress-induced UPR is present in the liver of lactating sows and fish oil is able to inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways and ER stress-induced UPR in the liver.

Effects of soyabean meal- or whey-based diets on lipid metabolism in weaned piglets

The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that dietary protein source influences lipid metabolism-related parameters weaned piglets. The effects of soyabean meal (SB) and whey proteins (WP) on gene expression of several genes involved in the lipogenic process in liver, visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues, plasma insulin concentration and fatty acid (FA) profile were investigated in 18 weaned piglets. Weaned piglets were fed one of two diets containing either SB or WP as the main protein source. Following a 10-h fasting period, plasma insulin concentration and FA profile were assessed at 56 and 72 days of age, whereas gene expression in liver, VAT and SAT was assessed at 72 days of age. Plasma insulin concentration was not affected by diet, although it was 40% lower in SB fed pigs. The SB pigs had lower 14:0 (p < 0.01) and higher 18:3n-3 (p < 0.001) levels in plasma in comparison with WP pigs. However, these changes were attributed to background differences in the dietary FA profile and not to a direct protein source effect. Gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) in liver and VAT were lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) in SB compared to WP fed piglets, but no differences occurred in SAT. No changes were observed in sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, liver X receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 mRNA levels, either in liver or in adipose tissues. In conclusion, dietary protein source, accompanied likely by side alterations in the dietary composition, affects lipid metabolism in pigs through the downregulation of SREBP-1, which is a crucial determinant of lipogenic process.

Comparative actions of omega-3 fatty acids on in-vitro lipid droplet formation

Storage of fat into lipid droplets (LDs) is the key step in adipogenesis. Previously the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5n-3) has been shown to suppress LD formation, yet the actions of other n-3PUFA is unknown. Here, we examined the impact of the three major long chain n-3PUFA; EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; C22:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) on LD formation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cells were supplemented with 100µM fatty acid during differentiation. All n-3PUFA significantly reduced LD formation and the metabolic disorder marker, SCD1, in comparison to stearic acid (STA; C18:0). This action was more potent for DHA than either EPA or DPA. Furthermore, DHA significantly increased lipolysis and ATGL gene and protein expression but reduced the gene expression of three proteins related to LD formation (Perilipin A, Caveolin-1 and Cidea), compared with other n-3PUFA. Thus, DHA, above EPA and DPA, markedly suppressed fat storage in LDs in in-vitro adipocytes.

Docosahexaenoic acid suppresses the expression of FoxO and its target genes

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has previously been shown to ameliorate obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. To decipher the mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of DHA on energy/glucose homeostasis and the metabolic syndrome, 30 weaned cross-bred pigs were randomly assigned to three groups and fed ad libitum with a standard diet supplemented with 2% of beef tallow, soybean oil or DHA oil for 30 days, and the gene expression profile of various tissues was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The DHA-supplemented diets reduced the expression of forkhead box O transcription factor (FoxO) 1 and FoxO3 in the liver and adipose tissue. DHA treatments also decreased the expression of FoxO1 and FoxO3 in human hepatoma cells, SK-HEP-1 and human and porcine primary adipocytes. In addition, DHA also down-regulated FoxO target genes, such as microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein (MTP), glucose-6-phosphatase, apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) and insulin-like growth factor binding-protein 1 in the liver, as well as reduced total plasma levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerol in the pig. Transcriptional suppression of FoxO1, FoxO3, apoC-III and MTP by DHA was further confirmed by reporter assays with each promoter construct. Taken together, our study indicates that DHA modulates lipid and glucose homeostasis in part by down-regulating FoxO function. The down-regulation of genes associated with triacylglycerol metabolism and very low density lipoprotein assembly is likely to contribute to the beneficial effects of DHA on the metabolic syndrome.

Abundantly expressed hepatic genes and their differential expression in liver of prelaying and laying geese

Geese have a short egg-laying period and a low egg production rate. To induce and maintain egg laying, genes related to generating hepatic lipid for yolk deposition should be adequately expressed. Liver mRNA from 6 laying geese was extracted and used for construction of a full-length enriched cDNA library. About 2,400 clones containing gene sequences were determined and National Center for Biotechnology Information Gallus gallus Gene Index databases were used to compare and analyze these sequences. Ten highly expressed genes were selected to determine the differential expression between laying and prelay goose liver. Tissue distribution data showed that very low density apolipoprotein II, liver type fatty acid binding protein, vitellogenin I, and vitellogenin II transcripts were specifically expressed in the liver of laying geese. Ovoinhibitor, preproalbumin, alpha-2-hs-glycoprotein, and vitamin D binding protein mRNA were highly expressed in the liver and to a lesser extent in other tissues. Ovotransferrin mRNA was expressed in liver, ovary, oviduct, shell gland, brain, and adipose tissues. The concentration of transthyretin mRNA was high in the liver and brain. The mRNA concentrations of liver type fatty acid binding protein, alpha-2-hs-glycoprotein, and transthyretin in the livers of laying and prelay geese were not different. The concentrations of hepatic ovotransferrin, ovoinhibitor, preproalbumin, very low density apolipoprotein II, vitellogenin I, vitellogenin II, and vitamin D binding protein mRNA were higher in the liver of laying geese than in prelay geese, suggesting that these genes may be involved in laying function or lipid metabolism related to egg formation.

Docosahexaenoic acid regulates serum amyloid A protein to promote lipolysis through down regulation of perilipin

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases lipolysis and decreases lipogenesis through several pathways. DHA also enhances the expression of serum amyloid A protein (SAA), a possible lipid metabolism related gene. The question of whether DHA regulates the expression of SAA to affect lipid metabolism and increase lipolysis needs to be demonstrated in human adipocytes. We designed experiments to determine the role of SAA in regulating lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells using microarray technology. In human hepatocytes, recombinant human SAA1 (hSAA1) inhibited the expression of genes related to lipogenesis and promoted the expression of those involved in lipolysis. When human breast adipocytes were treated with hSAA1 or DHA in vitro, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and other lipogenic genes was decreased, whereas the expression of several lipolytic genes was increased. Glycerol release was increased by both SAA and DHA treatments, suggesting that they increased lipolytic activity in human adipocytes. The expression of perilipin, a lipid droplet-protective protein, was decreased, and hormone-sensitive lipase was increased by both of hSAA1 and DHA treatment. We speculate that the mechanism of lipolysis by DHA or SAA is at least partially the result of increased expression of hormone-sensitive lipase and decreased expression of perilipin. Whereas DHA treatment increased expression of hSAA1 in human adipocytes, the DHA-mediated reduction in expression of lipogenesis genes and enhancement of lipolysis may be through the activity of hSAA1. These results may be useful in developing new approaches to reduce body fat deposition.

Docosahexaenoic acid regulates adipogenic genes in myoblasts via porcine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

The nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) triggers adipocyte differentiation by regulating lipogenic genes. A ligand for PPARgamma is necessary to activate PPARgamma function. Fatty acids are potential ligands for PPARgamma activation. The current experiment was designed to determine the potential for individual fatty acids to activate porcine PPARgamma ectopically expressed in myoblasts. The expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and adiponectin in myoblasts stably expressing porcine PPARgamma was increased when docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was added to the adipogenic medium. The response was positively related to DHA concentration and suggests that DHA may bind to and activate porcine PPARgamma, leading to increased expression of aP2 and adiponectin. The conditioned media collected from myoblasts expressing PPARgamma between d 3 and 6 or between d 6 and 9, but not DHA itself, activated the aP2 gene promoter-driven luciferase activity. These results suggest that a metabolite of DHA is the ligand binding to and activating porcine PPARgamma. The metabolite and pathway for its production are currently unknown.

Serum amyloid A protein regulates the expression of porcine genes related to lipid metabolism

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) is an apolipoprotein that can replace apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) as the major apolipoprotein of HDL. Porcine hepatic SAA mRNA is increased by dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of SAA protein in regulating gene expression related to lipid metabolism in pigs. First, we demonstrated that the 100-micromol/L DHA treatment increased SAA and apoA1 mRNA expression in porcine hepatic cell cultures (P < 0.05). Secondly, we produced porcine SAA recombinant protein and found that the addition of SAA to porcine preadipocytes in culture stimulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression (P < 0.05), indicating a similar biological function of porcine SAA and human SAA. We also found PPARalpha and PPARgamma mRNA were decreased (40 and 60%, respectively) in differentiated adipocytes after treatment with 2 mumol/L SAA. SAA treatment also increased inflammatory cytokine gene expression (IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and glycerol release (P < 0.05), indicating increased lipolysis. Because the expression of perilipin, a lipid droplet-protective protein, was reduced by the SAA treatment, we hypothesized that SAA increased lipolysis by decreasing the expression of perilipin, which would then allow an increase in hormone sensitive lipase activity. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the DHA-induced SAA gene expression decreased PPAR expression and consequently downregulated the expression of several genes involved in lipid metabolism. Accordingly, SAA may play a critical role in mediating the function of dietary DHA on lipid metabolism and could be a factor in regulating obesity.

Porcine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma induces transdifferentiation of myocytes into adipocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 (PPARgamma) is a nuclear transcription factor that regulates adipocyte differentiation and lipogenic genes during adipogenesis. The activity of rodent PPARgamma is regulated by phosphorylation of serine 112. The current experiment was designed to study the ability of porcine PPARgamma to stimulate transdifferentiation of myoblasts to adipocytes by overexpressing wild-type PPARgamma or mutated PPARgamma (serine 112 was mutated to alanine) in mouse myoblast cells. The expression of adipogenic marker genes (adipocyte fatty acid binding protein, lipoprotein lipase, and glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase) in cells stably expressing mutated porcine PPARgamma was greater than in cells with wild-type PPARgamma, indicating that the mutated PPARgamma has greater adipogenic capability than the wild-type PPARgamma. Under treatment with a ligand, both wild-type and mutant porcine PPARgamma-expressing C2C12 myoblasts differentiated into adipocytes in 10 d. The expression of myogenic marker genes (myogenin, myogenic regulatory factor-4) was suppressed in cells transfected with the mutated PPARgamma or wild-type PPARgamma. Moreover, wild-type and mutant PPARgamma were able to inhibit myogenesis without addition of a ligand. Our results suggest that porcine wild-type PPARgamma and mutated PPARgamma can both convert myoblast cells into adipocytes, and also that the ability to transdifferentiate was greater in cells containing the mutated PPARgamma than in cells containing the wild-type PPARgamma. Therefore, the existence of serine 112 in PPARgamma may have a role in regulating adipocyte differentiation.

Abundantly expressed genes in pig adipose tissue: an expressed sequence tag approach

Adipose tissue plays a critical role in metabolism, storage, and release of fatty acids in mammals. Construction of a full-length cDNA library is an effective way to understand the functional expression of genes in adipose tissue, and in addition, novel genes for further research can be found in the library. In this study, adipose tissue RNA was extracted from three 18-mo-old Lee-Sung pigs. The mRNA was isolated, reverse transcribed, and used to construct a cDNA library. After transformation, 2,880 clones were selected and sequenced. Cluster analysis was performed, and the assembled contig of each cluster was subjected to search against DNA sequences in the nucleotide databases (NCBINR/TIGRGI). These sequences were clustered into 1,527 unique sequences; 80% of the sequences were categorized as known genes, and 20% of the sequences were categorized as unknown genes. In this adipose tissue cDNA library, approximately 16% of the genes contained full-length sequences with start and stop codons. Gene ontology analysis was performed to indicate the possible functions of these genes. Genes associated with mitochondrial function were abundant and represented 10% of the total. Several fatty acid transport genes and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase were among the most abundant genes expressed. Tissue distribution of several abundant genes was analyzed by northern analysis, and many of these genes were transcribed in porcine adipose tissue in high copy number. Our full-length sequence data and tissue distribution data can be used to decipher the functional roles exhibited by the adipocyte under various perturbations via endocrine, environmental, genetic, nutritional, pharmacological, or physiological manipulations.

Lipid metabolism related gene-expression profiling in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in crossbred Duroc and Pietrain Pigs

Body-weight differences in animals may be ascribed to genetic and environmental factors. Here we utilized two divergent porcine genotypes, the highly muscled, leaner PietrianxYorkshire pigs and less muscled, fatter DurocxYorkshire growing pigs (75-110 kg), to examine the role of genetic background on expression of genes associated with anabolic (Fatty acid synthase, FAS; glucose transporter 4, GLUT-4; stearoyl CoA desaturase, SCD; Sterol regulatory binding protein-1, SREBP-1; leptin) and catabolic lipid metabolism (Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1B, CPT-1B; acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, ACDH) in adipose tissue (AT), liver (L) and skeletal muscle (SKM). Pietrain pigs had lower mRNA abundance for FAS, SREBP-1, SCD and leptin in AT and L, but higher mRNA abundance for L ACDH and SKM ACDH and CPT-1B than Durocs. Duroc pigs exhibited higher expression of FAS, SREBP-1, SCD, leptin in AT and FAS in L and lower expression of ACDH and CPT-1B in L SKM. GLUT-4 expression did not differ in SKM between the two genotypes. Feeding of a beta adrenergic agonist (Paylean) for 52 days lowered expression of lipid anabolic and enhanced lipid catabolic genes expressions similarly in both genotypes. Overall, the lipid metabolism genes differential expression patterns documented here showed that in Pietrain pigs mRNA abundances of synthesis genes were lower and of catabolic genes were higher than in Duroc pigs.

The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of lipogenic genes in broilers

The objectives of this work were to determine the effects of dietary fungal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on tissue DHA concentration and lipogenic gene expression in broilers. A fungal (SR-21) meal product containing 31.5% total fat and 32.7% DHA (% of total fatty acids) was fed to chicken broilers at 0, 1, or 3% for 3 weeks. A diet with 1% DHA oil (containing 40% DHA) was also fed to chicken broilers as a positive control. Dietary fungal meal supplementation (3%) improved daily weight gain, food intake, and feed conversion ratio. The fungal meal supplementation increased dietary DHA content and consequently increased the DHA content in plasma, breast muscle (Pectoralis major), and livers in the broilers. The plasma triacylglycerol concentration was decreased by the supplementation of dietary DHA. The data indicate that the dietary DHA treatment modified certain aspects of the lipid metabolism, especially pathways related to triacylglycerol synthesis. Indeed, both the 1% DHA oil and 3% fungal meal treatments decreased the hepatic lipogenic transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) mRNA relative abundance, suggesting that dietary DHA supplementation decreases SREBP1 gene functions. The relative mRNA abundance of the de novo fatty acid synthesis genes, fatty acid synthase and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, was reduced by 1% DHA oil and 3% fungal meal treatments, suggesting that dietary DHA supplementation decreases lipogenesis in the livers of the broilers. Taken together, the fungal meal is a suitable dietary supplement to increase tissue DHA content and reduce the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes in broilers.

Effect of Lipids from Erabu Sea Snake, Laticauda semifasciata, on Plasma Glucose, Insulin, and Adipocytokine Concentrations of Normal and Streptozotocin-Diabetic Mice

AIMS

To clarify the influence of Erabu sea snake lipid on levels of plasma insulin and adipocyte-derived hormones.

METHODS

Normal male mice (6 months) and streptozotocin-diabetic mice (a single administration, 150 mg/kg i.p.) were fed diets containing 10% fat as either lard or a mixture of 5% lard and 5% sea snake lipid for 4 months.

RESULTS

The normal mice on the sea snake lipid diet had a significantly lower plasma glucose concentration (198 +/- 16 mg/dl; 148 +/- 11 mg/dl) than those mice on the lard diet. Although plasma insulin concentrations were not influenced by the dietary fat type, leptin (10 +/- 1 ng/ml; 16 +/- 2 ng/ml) and adiponectin (18 +/- 1 mug/ml; 21 +/- 1 mug/ml) concentrations were significantly higher in the sea snake lipid group than in the lard group. However, these effects of a sea snake lipid intake were not evident in the streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the decrease in plasma glucose following the intake of sea snake lipids could be related to a corresponding increase in leptin and adiponectin level.

Cloning and expression of porcine adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 genes in pigs

In mice, adiponectin receptors (AdipoR) have been found to mediate the effect of adiponectin in muscle and liver in regulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolism. The purposes of this study were to clone these receptors from pig tissues by reverse transcription PCR using mRNA from skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and to investigate the expression of these genes in various pig tissues. Sequences of adiponectin, AdipoR1, and AdipoR2 were determined and found to be highly homologous to those of the human and mouse. The AA sequences predicted for the full-length cDNA of porcine adiponectin, AdipoR1, and AdipoR2 were similar to those of the human and mouse, ranging from 81 to 97% homology, suggesting similar functions of these genes in pigs as in other species. Transcripts for adiponectin were abundant in s.c. adipose tissue in Lee-Sung pigs and in crossbred pigs. Transcripts for AdipoR1 were abundant in heart and skeletal muscle and also detected to a lesser extent (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue, liver, and spleen of the Lee-Sung pigs. Transcripts for AdipoR2 were abundant in s.c. adipose tissue and present to a lesser extent (P < 0.05) in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle, and spleen. These results indicate that the effect of adiponectin may be mediated through these receptors in various porcine tissues. Fasting for 8 h did not have a significant effect on the expression of adiponectin and AdipoR1 mRNA, but it increased (P < 0.05) the AdipoR2 mRNA in the s.c. adipose tissue of crossbred pigs. These results indicate that the AdipoR2-mediated fatty acid oxidation may be responsible at least in part for the fasted state fatty acid oxidation in porcine adipose tissues. The successful cloning of pig adiponectin and adiponectin receptors will enhance the understanding of the involvement of these genes in regulating energy metabolism in pigs.

The expression of genes related to adipocyte differentiation in pigs1

The purpose of this study was to detect differential expression of genes related to adipocyte differentiation in pigs by suppression subtractive hybridization. Adipocytes and stromal vascular cells (a fraction containing preadipocytes) from pig adipose tissue were isolated for mRNA extraction. The cDNA from preadipocytes was subtracted from the cDNA from adipocytes. The subtracted gene fragments were cloned into pGEM-T Easy TA cloning vector. We selected 384 clones for gene sequence determination and for further analysis. These genes were subjected to a differential screening procedure to confirm the differential expression of genes between the 2 cell types. We found that at least 36 genes were highly expressed in the adipocytes compared with preadipocytes. Among these, 6 genes including 2 novel genes with the greatest differences were selected and confirmed by Northern analysis. We found that angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM), calpain 1, and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) were highly expressed in adipocytes compared with preadipocytes (P < 0.05). The relative mRNA abundance of ACE, ATM, calpain 1, SCD1, and 2 novel genes discovered in the current study was increased at the later stages of adipocyte differentiation (P < 0.05). The results confirmed that the genes involved in lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation were highly expressed in porcine adipocytes. However, further investigation is needed to demonstrate specific functions of the novel genes discovered in the current study.

Schizochytrium limacinum SR-21 as a source of docosahexaenoic acid: optimal growth and use as a dietary supplement for laying hens

Culture conditions for the marine fungus Schizochytrium limacinum SR-21 (SR-21) to produce microbial docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were evaluated, and the practicality of using this fungus product as a dietary supplement for laying Leghorn hens was investigated. The data showed that the cultured fungus produced high biomass and DHA. It generated 584 mg DHA/L of culture at the end of a 6-day culture. The fungus grew better at 25ºC than at 20ºC or 30ºC. With an increase in glucose concentration from 1% to 5% in the culture medium, biomass and DHA production were enhanced. A 6% glucose treatment reduced the biomass production compared with 5% glucose. A bioreactor was used to mass-produce SR-21. The biomass was increased from 1.12 g/L at Day 0 to 12 g/L at Day 4. We established optimal culture conditions of 5% glucose, 2% sea salt, and 1% yeast extract for SR-21. Three concentrations of dried fungal meal (0, 1, or 3% in the diet) were fed to birds over a 3-week period. There were no negative effects of 1 and 3% dietary SR-21 on egg production, egg weight, and egg yolk weight. The DHA content of yolk was increased by the dietary supplementation with the fungal meal both in the 1 and 3% treatments. Dietary fungal meal treatments increased the DHA concentrations of liver and plasma. However, dietary DHA enrichment had no effect on the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes in laying hens.

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid on the expression of adipocyte determination and differentiation-dependent factor 1 in differentiating porcine adipocytes1

Adipocyte determination and differentiation-dependent factor 1 (ADD1) drives the expression of several lipogenic genes in mammals. Polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease ADD1 mRNA abundance in differentiating porcine adipocytes. The current study was designed to explore the mechanisms by which PUFA inhibit the expression of ADD1 in porcine adipocytes. Porcine preadipocytes were differentiated for 24 h with 0 or 100 microM of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and mixtures of different concentrations of antioxidants to investigate the effect of DHA and antioxidants on the ADD1 mRNA abundance. We found the relative mRNA abundance was decreased by the addition of 100 microM DHA to the medium for porcine differentiating adipocytes, and adding an antioxidant mixture to the medium prevented part of the decrease in ADD1 mRNA abundance. These data suggest that DHA decreased the steady-state transcription factor ADD1 mRNA through a mechanism related to fatty acid peroxidation. Indeed, adding 7.5 microM vitamin E (a natural antioxidant) also restored the concentrations of ADD1 and fatty acid synthase mRNA, which were decreased by DHA treatment; however, the DHA or the antioxidant treatment did not change the expression of antioxidation genes (superoxide dismutase 1 and glutathione peroxidase 1) in porcine stromal vascular cells. When supplemented with the eicosanoid synthesis pathway inhibitors, the inhibition of the expression of ADD1 by arachidonic acid was partially recovered. These results suggest that the mechanism by which PUFA decrease ADD1 mRNA is due to the metabolic product of eicosanoids and peroxidation of these PUFA.

Cloning and expression of the genes associated with lipid metabolism in Tsaiya ducks

Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) drives the expression of several lipogenic genes, whereas SREBP2 dictates the expression of every gene involved in cholesterolgenesis in mammals. In the current study, we cloned the cDNA fragments for SREBP1, SREBP2, fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), and very low density apolipoprotein-II (apoVLDL-II), the genes associated with lipid metabolism. Fifteen ducks immediately before the first egg was laid (18 wk old) and 15 ducks from the same population at an egg production rate of 80% were killed. Total RNA was extracted from liver and used to amplify the targeted genes by reverse transcription-PCR and screening of a cDNA library. The sequence data showed that Tsaiya duck SREBP1, SREBP2, FAS, and HMG-CoA reductase were highly homologous to that of chicken. Tsaiya duck SREBP1 mRNA was expressed in adipose tissue, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, liver, and ovary. The SREBP2 mRNA concentration was highest in liver and ovary. Concentrations of FAS and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA were high in liver and lower in other tissues. The apoVLDL-II mRNA was specifically expressed in the liver. The differences between mRNA concentrations of SREBP1, SREBP2, and FAS in the livers of laying and prelay ducks were not significant. However, the concentrations of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and apoVLDL-II mRNA were higher in the laying ducks than in prelay ducks. Therefore, laying may affect particular aspects of lipid metabolism, especially biochemical pathways that involved apoVLDL-II and HMG-CoA reductase.

Regulation of development and metabolism of adipose tissue by growth hormone and the insulin-like growth factor system

White adipose tissue plays a key role in the regulation of the energy balance of vertebrates. This tissue is also now recognized to secrete a variety of factors such as leptin, which is thought to be involved in the modulation of adipose mass. Unlike other tissues, adipose tissue mass has considerable capacity to expand. The review deals primarily on the regulation of development and metabolism of adipose tissue by growth hormone (GH) and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, with a special focus on the pig. The anti-insulin effects of GH are well-documented in pigs as in other species. In vitro exposure of adipose precursor cells to GH leads to a decrease in differentiation of those cells in pigs, in contrast to data obtained in murine cell lines. In vivo treatment and prolonged in vitro incubation of adipose tissue or isolated adipocytes with GH result in a decrease in glucose transport and lipogenesis, especially at the level of the fatty acid synthase gene, resulting in a reduction of the lipid content and adipose tissue mass. The mechanism by which GH antagonizes insulin stimulation of lipogenesis is still unresolved, as it is not mediated by protein kinase A, protein kinase C and Janus kinase-2 at the signaling level, or upstream stimulatory factor 1 or sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 at the transcriptional level. GH is apparently the main regulator of IGF-I mRNA expression in adipose tissue, however, the effects of IGF-I on this tissue are rather unclear.