Ontogeny of glutathione and glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes in rat liver

We conducted a comprehensive characterization of the ontogeny of glutathione (GSH) and its related enzymes in rat liver. GSH content and activities of glutathione reductase (GR), cytosolic glutathione-S-transferases (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined in male rat livers (n = 4) at different developmental stages. Our results indicate total hepatic GSH content and GR, GST, and GPx activity were low in the perinatal period. GSH content remained relatively constant throughout postnatal development, but GR, GST, and GPx activity underwent significant increases to attain adult levels by late post-weaning. Whether the ontogenic pattern of GSH and its related enzymes explain, in part, the altered susceptibility of neonates to some toxicants requires further investigation. Our study provides fundamental biological information on the ontogeny of cytosolic antioxidant/detoxification enzymes in a relevant toxicological risk assessment species. Additional studies are needed to fully characterize the ontogeny of other xenobiotic detoxification enzymes to further promote the rat as a developmental toxicology model that can identify toxicokinetic reasons for differences in susceptibility to toxicity between the neonate and adult.     

Dietary apple polyphenols supplementation enhances antioxidant capacity and improves lipid metabolism in weaned piglets

Apple polyphenols (APPs) are biologically active flavonoids that have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, improving insulin sensitivity, hypocholesterolaemic effect and antiviral properties. This study was conducted to explore effects of dietary APPs supplementation on antioxidant activities and lipid metabolism in weaned piglets. Fifty‐four weaned piglets (half male and female) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates in each group and three piglets in each repetition. Piglets were fed control diet (basal diet) or a control diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg APPs for 6 weeks. Blood and liver samples were collected to determine biochemical, antioxidant and lipid metabolism parameters. Here we showed that dietary APPs supplementation increased HDL‐C and decreased T‐CHO, TG and LDL‐C concentrations. Dietary APPs supplementation increased antioxidative capacity in serum and CAT activity in liver, and significantly increased the mRNA expressions of CAT, GST and SOD1 in liver. ACC mRNA level and LPL activity were tended to decrease by APPs. HMG‐CoAR, CTP7A1, CD36 and FATP1 mRNA levels were decreased by APPs, while LDL‐R, PGC‐1α, Sirt1 and CPT1b mRNA levels were increased by 400 mg/kg APPs. No alterations in growth performance were found in all treatments. This study firstly provided the evidence that dietary APPs supplementation could enhance systemic antioxidant capacity and improve lipid metabolism in weaned piglets. The mechanism by which APPs improve lipid metabolism might be through regulating hepatic cholesterol metabolism and increasing fatty acid oxidation, and decreasing fatty acid uptake and de novo synthesis.     

Antioxidant status and expression of inflammatory genes in gut and liver of piglets fed different dietary methionine concentrations

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary concentrations of methionine (Met), as a precursor of cysteine which is a constituent of glutathione (GSH), affect tissue antioxidant concentrations and the antioxidant defence system in pigs. Forty‐five piglets (DanZucht × Pietrain) were allotted to three groups of similar mean body weight (11.0 ± 0.9 kg). The basal diet was composed of barley, wheat, corn starch, soybean oil, sucrose, cellulose and a mineral supplement with suboptimal concentrations of Met and was supplemented with dl ‐Met to reach 0.16%, 0.20% and 0.24% of dietary Met and 0.40%, 0.44% and 0.48% of dietary Met and cysteine in groups 0.16, 0.20 and 0.24 respectively. After 3 weeks, at slaughter, samples of liver, jejunum mucosa and plasma were collected. Feed intake and weight gains increased and feed:gain ratio decreased when dietary Met concentrations increased. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), concentrations of GSH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA‐RS) and the activity of the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver and jejunum mucosa were similar in all groups (p > 0.05). Relative mRNA concentrations of selected target genes of the nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2), the master regulator of the antioxidant response, and of the nuclear factor ‘kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer’ of activated B‐cells (NF‐κB), the master regulator of inflammation, were largely unaffected both in jejunum and liver. In conclusion, inflammation‐ and oxidative stress‐related pathways on the molecular level, and concentrations of lipid peroxidation products, of antioxidants and of enzymes involved in the antioxidant defence system were mostly unaffected by dietary Met concentration in gut and liver. These findings suggest that suboptimal dietary Met concentrations did not influence the antioxidant defence system of gut and liver in healthy piglets.     

饲粮补充精氨酸对低出生重哺乳仔猪肝脏氧化还原状态和线粒体功能的影响

本试验通过研究精氨酸(Arg)对低出生重(LBW)哺乳仔猪机体氧化还原平衡状态和线粒体功能的影响,探讨Arg改善LBW哺乳仔猪生长发育的可能机制。试验选取体况接近、产期一致和胎次相近的初产母猪所产仔猪,4日龄时,选取20头LBW[体重(1.16±0.08)kg]和10头正常出生重(NBW)[体重(2.07±0.10)kg]仔猪,按体重相近、公母比例一致的原则分为NBW组(饲喂基础饲粮)、LBW组(饲喂基础饲粮)和LBW+Arg组(基础饲粮补充1%Arg)3个组,每组10个重复,每个重复1头猪,人工乳饲养21 d。在第22天,屠宰并收集所有试验猪的血清与肝脏样品,检测生长性能、氧化还原状态与线粒体功能指标。结果表明:1)与NBW仔猪相比,LBW仔猪末重、平均日增重(ADG)和平均日干物质摄入量(ADMI)显著降低(P<0.05),肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和ATP含量显著下降(P<0.05),肝脏环氧化酶(COX)ⅠmRNA表达量显著下调(P<0.05),肝脏视神经萎缩症蛋白1(OPA1)mRNA表达量有下调的趋势(P=0.089);2)饲粮补充Arg显著提高LBW仔猪末重、ADG和ADMI(P<0.05),显著提高血清CAT活性和肝脏CAT、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活性(P<0.05),显著提高肝脏ATP含量(P<0.05),显著上调肝脏GPx1和线粒体融合蛋白1(Mfn1)mRNA表达量(P<0.05),并且有上调肝脏CAT(P=0.056)、COXⅣ(P=0.063)和OPA1(P=0.087)mRNA表达量的趋势。以上研究表明,LBW仔猪肝脏抗氧化能力下降,线粒体功能受阻,生长发育受到抑制;而饲粮补充1%Arg显著提高LBW仔猪肝脏抗氧化能力,改善线粒体功能,提高LBW仔猪生长性能。     

Effects of Piper sarmentosum extract on the growth performance,antioxidant capability and immune response in weaned piglets

The biological properties of Piper sarmentosum render it a potential substitute for antibiotics in livestock feed. This study evaluated the effects of P. sarmentosum extract (PSE) on the growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response of weaned piglets. Eighty 21‐d‐old weaned piglets were selected and randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments with five replicates of four pigs each. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet supplemented with 0 (T0), 50 (T50), 100 (T100) or 200 (T200) mg/kg PSE. The feeding trial lasted 4 weeks. The results revealed that the T50 group had the highest average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the feeding trial (p < 0.05). Additionally, the T50 group had higher (p < 0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH‐Px) and lower (p < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than the T0 group at 4 weeks post‐weaning (p < 0.05). Serum levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) decreased, while serum levels of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) increased by PSE supplementation at 4 weeks post‐weaning (p < 0.05). PSE supplementation upregulated the mRNA expression of IL‐4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β and downregulated the mRNA expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the ileal mucosal layer of piglets (p < 0.05). In summary, our study findings revealed that PSE supplementation improved the antioxidant capability, and reduced inflammation, which may be beneficial to weaned piglet health.     

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation on growth performance,intestinal morphology,antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded suckling piglets

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with _L‐methionine (_L‐Met), _DL‐methionine (_DL‐Met) and calcium salt of the methionine hydroxyl analog (MHA‐Ca) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded (IUGR) suckling piglets. Six normal birthweight (NBW) female piglets and 24 same‐sex IUGR piglets were selected at birth. Piglets were fed nutrient adequate basal diet supplemented with 0.08% _L‐alanine (NBW‐CON), 0.08% _L‐alanine (IUGR‐CON), 0.12% _L‐Met (IUGR‐LM), 0.12% _DL‐Met (IUGR‐DLM) and 0.16% MHA‐Ca (IUGR‐MHA‐Ca) from 7 to 21 days of age respectively (n = 6). The results indicated that IUGR decreased average daily milk (dry matter) intake and average daily gain and increased feed conversion ratio of suckling piglets (p < 0.05). Compared with the NBW‐CON piglets, IUGR also impaired villus morphology and reduced antioxidant capacity and immune homeostasis in the intestine of IUGR‐CON piglets (p < 0.05). Supplementation with _L‐Met enhanced jejunal villus height (VH) and villus area and ileal VH of IUGR piglets compared with IUGR‐CON piglets (p < 0.05). Similarly, _DL‐Met supplementation increased VH and the ratio of VH to crypt depth in the jejunum compared with IUGR‐CON pigs (p < 0.05). Supplementation with _L‐Met and _DL‐Met (0.12%) tended to increase reduced glutathione content and reduced glutathione: oxidized glutathione ratio and decrease protein carbonyl concentration in the jejunum of piglets when compared with the IUGR‐CON group (p < 0.10). However, supplementation with MHA‐Ca had no effect on the intestinal redox status of IUGR piglets (p > 0.10). In conclusion, supplementation with either _L‐Met or _DL‐Met has a beneficial effect on the intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity of IUGR suckling piglets.     

Effects of L‐methionine on performance,gut morphology and antioxidant status in gut and liver of piglets in relation to DL‐methionine

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of L‐methionine (L‐Met) in weaned piglets in relation to DL‐methionine (DL‐Met) results in a higher antioxidant status and lower need for antioxidant enzyme activation in intestinal epithelium and body tissues, and improves gut morphology and gut barrier function as well as performance. A total of 99 early‐weaned 21‐day old piglets were allotted to six groups and fed a semi‐synthetic wheat–barley‐based basal diet supplemented with 0.067%, 0.107% and 0.147% of either DL‐Met (MetAmino; Evonik, Hanau, Germany) or L‐Met (L‐Met100; CJ Europe, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany) to reach dietary Met concentrations of 0.16%, 0.20% and 0.24%, of which the latter met the requirements for maintenance and growth based on a pre‐experiment. Feed intake and body weights were recorded weekly, and samples of plasma, liver and duodenum and jejunum mucosa were collected after 3 weeks at slaughter. Plasma concentrations of L‐Met were similar, and those of D‐Met and total Met were higher in piglets fed DL‐Met in relation to those fed L‐Met. Feed intake, daily gains and feed:gain ratio, and the relative bio‐efficacy based on gains and feed:gain ratio were similar for both groups. Likewise, villi length, crypt depth, the villi length:crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum and gene expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum did not differ. Concentrations of antioxidants like glutathione and tocopherol, the total antioxidant capacity, the mRNA abundance or activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, markers for oxidative damage of lipids and the expression of inflammatory genes were similar in liver and jejunum mucosa. These data indicate that the effects of L‐Met and DL‐Met supplementation are comparable considering both piglet performance and parameters of gut health and function like gut morphology and the intestinal antioxidant status.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and organic selenium on the oxidative stability of beef.

The effects of supplementation of beef cattle diets with organic Se (0.3 mg/kg) and vitamin E (300 I.U. alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed), for 55 d preceding slaughter, on the antioxidant status and oxidative stability of muscle was examined. Dietary vitamin E supplementation led to an increase (P < 0.05) in plasma, and longissimus muscle alpha-tocopherol levels. In minced longissimus muscle stored in 80% 02:20% CO2, lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation were lower (P < 0.05) in muscle from vitamin E-supplemented animals compared with unsupplemented animals. Dietary Se supplementation did not significantly affect muscle Se levels, glutathione peroxidase activity, or susceptibility to lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation in the presence or absence of vitamin E. Covariance analysis indicated that, in addition to muscle alpha-tocopherol, differences in muscle glutathione peroxidase activity, and pH could account for variation in the susceptibility of muscle to lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation.     

蓝塘仔猪IGF-1水平与组织IGF-1、GHR基因的表达

32头不同日龄(出生、3、21、35d)蓝塘仔猪,由前腔静脉采血后剖杀,取肝脏、背最长肌样品。用RIA法测血液、组织中IGF 1浓度,用放射受体法(RBA)检测肝脏、肌肉组织中GHR结合活性,用实时荧光定量PCR法检测IGF 1、GHRmRNA的表达水平。结果表明:(1)血液中IGF 1在出生日显著高于其它时期(P<0 05)。肌肉组织中IGF 1含量高于肝脏组织,肌肉组织IGF 1含量在3、21、35日龄时都显著高于出生日(P<0 05)。(2)肝脏细胞膜GHR结合活性在出生日显著高于3、21日龄(P<0 05),肝脏细胞膜GHR结合活性高于肌肉组织。(3)肝脏组织IGF 1、GHRmRNA的表达量均显著高于肌肉组织(P<0 05)。肝脏IGF 1mRNA的表达在出生日、21日龄时显著高于3、35日龄(P<0 05),GHRmRNA的表达在出生日显著高于其它日龄(P<0 05)。肌肉IGF 1、GHRmRNA的表达在出生日均显著高于其它日龄(P<0 05)。     

Reduced dietary protein level influences the free amino acid and gene expression profiles of selected amino acid transceptors in skeletal muscle of growing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reduced dietary protein level on growth performance, muscle mass weight, free amino acids (FAA) and gene expression profile of selected amino acid transceptors in different fibre type of skeletal muscle tissues (longissimus dorsi, psoas major, biceps femoris) of growing pigs. A total of 18 cross‐bred growing pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) with initial body weight (9.57 ± 0.67 kg) were assigned into three dietary treatments: 20% crude protein (CP) diet (normal recommended, NP), 17% CP diet (low protein, LP) and 14% CP diet (very low protein, VLP). The results indicated improved feed‐to‐gain ratio was obtained for pigs fed LP and NP diets (p < 0.01), while the pigs fed VLP diet showed the worst growth performance (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the weights of longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle between LP and NP groups (p > 0.05). Majority of the determined FAA concentration of LP group were greater than or equal to those of NP group in both longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle (p < 0.01). Further, the mRNA expression levels of sodium‐coupled neutral amino acid transceptor 2, L‐type amino acid transceptor 1 and proton‐assisted amino acid transceptors 2 were higher in skeletal muscle tissue in LP group compared to those of the pigs fed NP or VLP diet. These results suggested that reduced dietary protein level (3 points of percentage less than recommended level) would upregulate the mRNA expression of amino acid transceptors to enhance the absorption of FAA in skeletal muscle of growing pigs. There seems to be a relationship between response of AA transceptors to the dietary protein level in skeletal muscle tissue of different fibre type. To illustrate the underlying mechanisms will be beneficial to animal nutrition.     

发酵麸皮多糖对肉羊肉品质、肌肉氨基酸组成及肌肉抗氧化酶和肌纤维类型相关基因表达的影响

试验旨在研究发酵麸皮多糖(FWBP)对肉羊肉品质、肌肉氨基酸组成及肌肉抗氧化酶和肌纤维类型相关基因表达的影响。选用50只体重为(20.17±3.33)kg的6周龄杜泊×小尾寒羊F1代杂交羔羊,随机分为5组,每组10只。对照组(Ⅰ组)饲喂基础饲粮,试验组(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组)分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加50、100、200、400 mg/kg FWBP的试验饲粮,预试期14 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:1)Ⅱ和Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌剪切力显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。2)Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组肉羊背最长肌中蛋氨酸(Met)含量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05);Ⅳ组肉羊背最长肌中的半胱氨酸(Cys)含量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),而谷氨酸(Glu)和亮氨酸(Leu)含量显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05);Ⅴ组肉羊背最长肌中丝氨酸(Ser)含量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),而缬氨酸(Val)含量显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。3)各试验组肉羊背最长肌中过氧化氢酶(CAT)的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),且Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌中CAT的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅱ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组(P<0.05)。Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH⁃Px)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。4)Ⅲ组肉羊背最长肌中肌球蛋白重链(MyHC)Ⅰ和MyHCⅡa的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),且MyHCⅡx的mRNA相对表达量显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组肉羊背最长肌中MyHCⅡb的mRNA相对表达量显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加FWBP可以降低肉羊背最长肌剪切力,改善其氨基酸组成,提高肌肉抗氧化能力,诱导Ⅱx型肌纤维向Ⅰ和Ⅱa型肌纤维的转化,且以添加100 mg/kg效果较佳。     

Tissue and plasma antioxidant status in response to dietary methionine concentration and source in broilers

This study hypothesized that plasma and tissue antioxidant status of broilers is positively influenced when dietary Met concentrations exceed, and negatively when they go below NRC recommendations. In addition, different Met sources are hypothesized to affect the antioxidant defence system differently. Day‐old male Cobb‐500 broilers (n  = 336) were allotted to seven groups and phase‐fed three wheat–soya bean meal‐based basal diets during days 1‐10, 11‐21 and 22‐35. The basal diets (Met? group, Met + Cys concentration 15% below NRC recommendations) were supplemented with 0.10%, 0.25% or 0.40% Met either as DL ‐Met (DLM ) or DL ‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid (DL ‐HMTBA ) (equimolar comparison). Growth performance and carcass weights were lower in the Met? group compared to the groups whose diets met or exceeded Met requirements. The antioxidant defence system was not influenced by the Met source. However, in the liver, concentrations of glutathione increased with increasing dietary Met concentrations. Tocopherol concentrations in the liver at days 10 and 21 were lower in the Met? group than in the groups supplemented with Met. However, liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA ‐RS ) and protein carbonyls (PC ) were largely not influenced by dietary Met concentration. Plasma tocopherol concentrations at day 35 were lower, and those of TBA ‐RS and PC at day 35 were higher in Met? group than in the groups fed the Met‐supplemented diets. In jejunum, but not in liver, relative mRNA abundances and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were higher in the Met? group than in the groups fed Met‐supplemented diets. These data indicate that suboptimum supply of Met results in decreased antioxidant concentrations in plasma and body tissues, and increases oxidative stress in the jejunum mucosa. However, supplementation of Met in excess of the requirements (based on NRC ) compared to diets adequate in Met + Cys did not influence the antioxidant defence system.     

复合氨基酸对断奶仔猪肝脏能量状态、游离氨基酸含量及其相关基因表达的影响

为进一步探明复合功能性氨基酸的应用效果与机理，在前期研究的基础上，本试验研究了日粮中添加复合氨基酸对断奶仔猪肝脏能量状态、游离氨基酸及相关基因表达的影响。将16头体重相近的（21±3）日龄断奶仔猪随机分为对照组和复合氨基酸组，每组8个重复。分别饲喂添加0.99%丙氨酸（与试验组等氮）和1.00%复合氨基酸（谷氨酸：谷氨酰胺：精氨酸：甘氨酸：N-乙酰半胱氨酸=5：2：2：1：0.5）的基础日粮。于试验第21天前腔静脉采血，屠宰取肝脏样品，待测。结果表明，与对照组相比，复合氨基酸显著降低了仔猪血浆ALT和AST活性（P<0.05）；显著提高了仔猪肝脏总蛋白含量、RNA/DNA和总蛋白/DNA（P<0.05），显著降低了仔猪肝脏MDA和H₂O₂含量（P<0.05）；显著提高了肝脏精氨酸和二磷酸腺苷（ADP）含量（P<0.05）；显著上调了肝脏氨基酸转运载体b^0，+AT和y⁺LAT2基因、谷胱甘肽硫转移酶ω2基因（GSTO2）、干扰素γ基因（IFN-γ）、脂蛋白酯酶基因（LPL）的表达（P<0.05），显著下调了脂肪酸合成酶基因（FASN）的表达（P<0.05）。以上结果表明，日粮中添加1.00%复合氨基酸可以改善肝功能，提高抗氧化能力，可以调控仔猪肝脏能量状态及游离氨基酸代谢，并可能影响肝脏的脂肪代谢和免疫功能。     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on Sow Performance and mRNA Expression of Myogenic Markers in Skeletal Muscle of Neonatal Piglets

The effects of dietary β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during gestation on reproductive performance of sows and the mRNA expression of myogenic markers in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs were determined. At day 35 of gestation, a total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, at third parity) were randomly assigned to two groups, with each group receiving either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 4 g/day β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate calcium (HMB‐Ca) until parturition. At parturition, the total and live litter size were not markedly different between treatments, however, the sows fed HMB diet had a decreased rate of stillborn piglets compared with the sows fed the control (CON) diets (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets from the sows fed HMB diet tended to have an increased birth weight (p = 0.08), and a reduced rate of low birth weight piglets (p = 0.05) compared with piglets from the CON sows. Nevertheless, lower feed intake during lactation was observed in the sows fed the HMB diet compared with those on the CON diet (p < 0.01). The relative weights of the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle were higher (p < 0.05) in neonatal pigs from the HMB than the CON sows. Furthermore, maternal HMB treatment increased the mRNA levels of the myogenic genes, including muscle regulatory factor‐4 (MRF4, p < 0.05), myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1, p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary HMB supplementation to sows at 4 g/day from day 35 of gestation to term significantly improves pregnancy outcomes and increases the expression of myogenic genes in skeletal muscle of neonatal piglets, but reduces feed intake of sows during lactation.     

Effects of lycopene supplementation in both maternal and offspring diets on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks

This study investigated the effects of different supplementation ways of lycopene during pre‐hatch (from the diet of hens) and post‐hatch (from the diet of progeny) on production performance, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks. In total, 360 hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control group) or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. From 28 to 34 days after the start of supplementation (30 weeks old), 650 qualified eggs were collected to artificial incubation. In this trial, 2 × 2 factorial designs were used. Male chicks hatched from hens fed with 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet were fed a diet containing either 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. The results showed that, relative to control, in ovo‐deposited lycopene significantly increased chick birth body weight, improved liver total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH: GSSG), and significantly declined liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased liver lycopene content during 0–14 days after hatching. On days 14 after hatching, dietary lycopene in diet began to take over gradually. Both supplementation ways of lycopene increased immune organ index, serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, villus length and villus/crypt in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Data in this study suggested lycopene supplementation could improve antioxidant capacity and immune function, and regulate lipid metabolism in chicks.     

Leucine‐induced promotion of post‐absorptive EAA utilization and hepatic gluconeogenesis contributes to protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of dairy calves

The high rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of dairy calves can benefit their first lactation even lifetime milk yield. Since the rate of protein synthesis is relatively low in the post‐absorptive state, the aim of this research was to determine whether leucine supplementation could increase the post‐absorptive essential amino acid (EAA) utilization and protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle. Ten male neonatal dairy calves (38 ± 3 kg) were randomly assigned to either the control (CON, no leucine supplementation, n = 5) or supplementation with 1.435 g leucine/L milk (LEU, n = 5). Results showed that leucine significantly increased the length and protein concentration in longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, whereas it decreased creatinine concentration and glutamic‐oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) activity. Compared to the control group, leucine supplementation also reduced the glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity. Supplementation of leucine improved the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and substrates ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (p70S6K). Supplementation of leucine resulted in increased concentrations of glucose, methionine, threonine, histidine and EAAs and decreased concentration of arginine in serum. Liver glucose concentration was higher and pyranic acid was lower in LEU compared to CON. In conclusion, leucine supplementation can promote post‐absorptive EAA utilization and hepatic gluconeogenesis, which contributes to protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of dairy calves.     

Maternal dietary linoleic acid supplementation promotes muscle fibre type transformation in suckling piglets

As meat quality is basically dependent on muscle fibre characteristics, it is important to know how muscle fibres are regulated and transformed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation on muscle fibre types using 3% saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid, PA) or 3% unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA) from 80 days of gestation to the weaning of offspring (25 days post‐natal). The results indicated that higher mRNA levels of MyHCI type genes were found in the soleus muscles of piglets that suckled from LA‐supplemented sows than from PA‐supplemented sows. In addition, LA treatment increased the gene expression of the type I muscle fibre marker troponin I (p < 0.01), suggesting that LA promoted muscle fibre type transformation to type I fibres. Moreover, PGC‐1α (p < 0.01) and MEF2c (p < 0.05) mRNA levels were higher in the piglets from the LA treatment group than in those from the PA treatment group. Furthermore, LA supplementation also significantly increased AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) mRNA levels (p < 0.05), which is an upstream regulator of PGC‐1α. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that maternal dietary LA supplementation promoted muscle fibre transformation to type I fibre and that this process may be mediated through an AMPK‐dependent pathway.     

Carcass traits,meat quality,antioxidant status and antioxidant gene expression in muscle and liver of Hu lambs fed perilla seed

The effects of perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) seed on carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant status and antioxidant gene expression in the liver and muscle of Hu lambs were investigated in this study. Sixty Hu lambs (23.02 ± 1.36 kg) were randomly divided into four experimental groups receiving diets containing 0%, 5%, 10% or 15% perilla seed (CD, 5%PFSD, 10%PFSD and 15%PFSD, respectively). The addition of perilla seed had no significant impacts on carcass traits (p > .05). There were no differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, cooking loss or shear force among the four treatments (p > .05). Addition of perilla seed increased (p < .05) deposition of intramuscular lipids but had no effect on other chemical components in the longissimus dorsi (LD) (p > .05). The 15%PFSD diet decreased the total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver (p < .05 for both) but increased the activity of these antioxidant enzymes in LD (p < .05 for both). Compared to CD, addition of perilla seed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) expression in the liver and LD (p < .05 for all). These results indicate that perilla seed supplementation in lambs’ diets can increase deposition of intramuscular lipids and improve muscular oxidative status and meat quality.