β-Carotene from the Alga Dunaliella bardawil Decreases Gene Expression of Adipose Tissue Macrophage Recruitment Markers and Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids are involved in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and inflammation. We examined the effect of dietary supplementation using all-trans and 9-cis β-carotene-rich Dunaliella bardawil alga as the sole source of vitamin A on obesity-associated comorbidities and adipose tissue dysfunction in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Three-week-old male mice (C57BL/6) were randomly allocated into two groups and fed a high-fat, vitamin A-deficient diet supplemented with either vitamin A (HFD) or β-carotene (BC) (HFD-BC). Vitamin A levels in the liver, WATs, and BAT of the HFD-BC group were 1.5–2.4-fold higher than of the HFD group. BC concentrations were 5–6-fold greater in BAT compared to WAT in the HFD-BC group. The eWAT mRNA levels of the Mcp-1 and Cd68 were 1.6- and 2.1-fold lower, respectively, and the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were 30% and 28% lower in the HFD-BC group compared with the HFD group. Dietary BC can be the exclusive vitamin A source in mice fed a high-fat diet, as shown by the vitamin A concentration in the plasma and tissues. Feeding BC rather than vitamin A reduces adipose tissue macrophage recruitment markers and plasma lipid concentrations.     

The relationship of feeding patterns and obesity in dogs

The rates of dog obesity are increasing and a greater understanding of feeding patterns is required to combat the problem. This study examined relationships between dietary patterns and caloric intake, and nutrient content of foods fed as it relates to obesity in dogs in the United States. Sixty‐one owners and their dogs were enrolled, and lifestyle surveys, food frequencies, and 3‐day food records were collected. Significant differences in overall kcal intake per kilogram of body weight were found (p < 0.04). Crude fibre in dog food was positively associated with protein and negatively associated with fat regardless of the dog’s weight (p < 0.001). Lean dogs received significantly more crude fibre in relation to overweight dogs regardless of the number of treats they received (p < 0.01), and their diets had greater micronutrient densities (p < 0.03) suggesting that high fibre influences body condition. Additionally, owners who ate nutrient‐rich, calorie‐poor diets had normal weight dogs, and owners that fed more table scraps had overweight dogs. Regardless of body condition, 59% of dogs received table scraps, which constituted 21% of daily caloric intake. The nutrient density of scraps fed was variable and did not meet National Research Council’s recommendations for micronutrient adequacy.     

影响棕色脂肪组织产热活性因素的研究进展

全球性肥胖流行问题愈发严峻,而脂肪组织本身可能是解决这个问题的关键。人和哺乳动物体内存在两种脂肪组织,发挥着截然相反的作用。与白色脂肪组织存储机体过剩的能量不同,棕色脂肪组织中存在独特的解偶联蛋白,能将脂肪酸氧化磷酸化,释放热能,增加能量消耗。因此,通过激活棕色脂肪组织产热,加速体内储存的脂质氧化磷酸化,成为了一种新的预防和治疗肥胖的手段。论文阐述影响棕色脂肪产热活性的因素以及相关机制,旨在为肥胖的治疗提供新的思路和方向。     

MAP3K5基因在畜禽剩余采食量表型调控中的研究进展

随着分子遗传学的发展,已经鉴定出了影响剩余采食量(RFI)的大量数量性状位点和候选基因。有丝分裂原活化蛋白3激酶5(MAP3K5),也称凋亡信号调节激酶1(ASK1),属于MAPK超家族基因之一。目前,已有细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK)、c-Jun N-末端激酶(JNK)和p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(p38-MAPK)这3个MAPK家族成员在哺乳动物细胞中被克隆和鉴定,其主要作用机制是介导3条MAPKs信号通路,从而影响家畜的生长、体型及产奶性状等。课题组在前期对RFI的研究中筛选出与牛剩余采食量相关的MAP3K5基因,但其功能作用尚不明确,笔者在此基础上回顾了该基因的结构、生物学功能,概述了该基因在主要畜禽采食量变异及人类肥胖表型中的功能及作用,并从遗传学的角度重点分析了MAP3K5基因在畜禽RFI表型调控中的可能机制。通过对MAP3K5基因在畜禽RFI表型调控中的研究进展进行综述,期望为后期深入开展MAP3K5基因在畜禽采食量性状调控中的分子机制研究提供思路;对于其他可能通过MAP3K5基因影响畜禽表型的因素(如肠道菌群)有待进一步探讨。     

虫草素预防肥胖及通过ADORA1介导GH3细胞中泌乳素分泌研究

为了研究虫草素是否具有预防肥胖的作用及其可能机制,试验利用高脂饮食诱导肥胖型高脂血症大鼠动物模型,并给予高、中、低不同剂量（50、25、12.5 mg/（kg·d））的虫草素,连续灌胃35 d后观察大鼠体重、脂肪系数、血脂水平的变化;体外培养大鼠脑垂体瘤细胞（GH3）,通过CCK8、Western blotting、ELISA等方法检测虫草素对GH3细胞的增殖毒性,以及腺苷受体A₁（ADORA₁）的表达和对泌乳素分泌量的影响。体内试验结果显示,与正常对照组相比,模型组大鼠体重、脂肪系数和血脂水平（高密度脂蛋白（HDL）除外）均极显著升高（P<0.01）;虫草素高、中、低各剂量组均能极显著或显著降低大鼠体重、脂肪系数及总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）水平（P<0.01;P<0.05）,但HDL水平仅在虫草素高剂量组中显著升高（P<0.05）,而虫草素中、低剂量组均无显著变化（P>0.05）;体外试验结果显示,虫草素浓度低于25 μg/mL时对GH3细胞增殖无影响;虫草素能够诱导GH3细胞ADORA₁表达升高;虫草素和ADORA₁激动剂（R-PIA）单独作用能显著或极显著降低泌乳素的分泌量（P<0.05;P<0.01）,虫草素与ADORA₁抑制剂（DPCPX）联合作用时能够在一定程度上阻断虫草素对泌乳素的抑制作用。结果表明,虫草素具有预防肥胖和降血脂的作用,其可能的作用机制是通过诱导ADORA₁表达抑制泌乳素的分泌,该研究结果将为虫草素作为一种潜在的减肥降脂药物的开发提供一定依据。     

The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider-horse-saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study

The effect of rider weight on equine welfare and performance requires further investigation. The objective of this prospective, cross-over, randomised trial was to assess gait and behavioural responses of horses to riders of similar ability, but different bodyweights. Six nonlame horses in regular work were ridden by each of four riders: Light (L), Moderate (M), Heavy (H) and Very Heavy (VH). Saddle fit was assessed subjectively throughout the study. Each horse was ridden twice by riders L and M, and once by rider H. Rider VH rode five horses once and one twice. Each horse-rider combination undertook a standardised, 30-min ‘dressage-test' which was abandoned if we observed lameness grade ≥ 3/8 in one limb, grade ≥ 2/8 in ≥ 2 limbs, or ≥ 10/24 behavioural markers of pain. Horses were reassessed in hand 45–60 min after any abandonment. Mean rider bodyweights, body mass index (BMI) values and rider:horse bodyweight percentages for the L, M, H and VH riders were respectively: 60.8, 77.8, 91.0, 142.1 kg; 23.2, 28.0, 26.3, 46.9 kg/m²; 10.0–11.7%, 12.8–15.0%, 15.3–17.9%, 23.6–27.5%. All 13 H and VH rider tests (lameness, n = 12; behaviour, n = 1) and one of 12 M rider tests (lameness) were abandoned. Lameness was confirmed using inertial measurement unit data. All horses trotted sound after test abandonment and completed the study moving well when ridden. Limitations of the study were saddle fit was not ideal in all horse-rider combinations and abandonment criteria were subjective. The conclusions and clinical relevance of the study were that large riders can induce temporary lameness and behaviours consistent with musculoskeletal pain. This may relate to rider bodyweight and/or weight distribution. Riders M and H had similar BMI but markedly different test abandonment rates, therefore bodyweight is likely to be more relevant than BMI. Further work is required to determine if horse fitness, adaptation to heavier weights and better saddle fit for heavier/taller riders will increase horses' weight-carrying capacity.     

Genetic variants of the unsaturated fatty acid receptor GPR120 relating to obesity in dogs

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 120 is an unsaturated fatty acid receptor, which is associated with various physiological functions. It is reported that the genetic variant of GPR120, p.Arg270His, is detected more in obese people, and this genetic variation functionally relates to obesity in humans. Obesity is a common nutritional disorder also in dogs, but the genetic factors have not ever been identified in dogs. In this study, we investigated the molecular structure of canine GPR120 and searched for candidate genetic variants which may relate to obesity in dogs. Canine GPR120 was highly homologous to those of other species, and seven transmembrane domains and two N-glycosylation sites were conserved. GPR120 mRNA was expressed in lung, jejunum, ileum, colon, hypothalamus, hippocampus, spinal cord, bone marrow, dermis and white adipose tissues in dogs, as those in mice and humans. Genetic variants of GPR120 were explored in client-owned 141 dogs, resulting in that 5 synonymous and 4 non-synonymous variants were found. The variant c.595C>A (p.Pro199Thr) was found in 40 dogs, and the gene frequency was significantly higher in dogs with higher body condition scores, i.e. 0.320 in BCS4–5 dogs, 0.175 in BCS3 dogs and 0.000 in BCS2 dogs. We conclude that c.595C>A (p.Pro199Thr) is a candidate variant relating to obesity, which may be helpful for nutritional management of dogs.     

Anti-obesity activity of diglyceride containing conjugated linoleic acid in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice

This study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of diglyceride (DG)-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) containing 22% CLA as fatty acids in C57BL/6J ob/ob male mice. There were four experimental groups including vehicle control, DG, CLA, and DG-CLA. The test solutions of 750 mg/kg dose were orally administered to the mice everyday for 5 weeks. CLA treatments significantly decreased mean body weight in the obese mice throughout the experimental period compared to the control (p < 0.01). All test solutions significantly decreased the levels of triglyceride, glucose and free fatty acids in the serum compared with control (p < 0.05). The levels of total cholesterol were also significantly reduced in DG and DG-CLA groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CLA significantly decreased weights of renal and epididymal fats compared with the control (p < 0.05). DG and DG-CLA also significantly decreased the epididymal fat weights compared with the control (p < 0.05). A remarkable decrease in the number of lipid droplets and fat globules was observed in the livers of mice treated with DG, CLA, and DG-CLA compared to control. Treatments of DG and CLA actually increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. These results suggest that DG-CLA containing 22% CLA have a respectable anti-obesity effect by controlling serum lipids and fat metabolism.     

发酵乳对肥胖小鼠肝脂代谢和肠道菌群的影响

为分析发酵乳对肥胖小鼠肝脂代谢和肠道菌群的影响,本研究将60只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为5组：正常对照组（CON）、模型组（MD）、易善复组（YG）、低浓度发酵乳干预组（LFG）和高浓度发酵乳干预组（HFG）。肥胖模型造模成功后进行为期6周的灌胃,试验结束测量小鼠的空腹体重和身长,计算LEE’S指数,采血检测生化指标,采集肝脏组织观察病理变化;采集小鼠盲肠内容物进行肠道菌群测序。结果表明：1）与CON相比,MD小鼠体重、LEE’S指数、ALT和AST均极显著提升（P<0.01）,表明肥胖模型建立成功。2）与MD相比,发酵乳干预组小鼠体重、LEE’S指数、ALT和TC均极显著下降（P<0.01）,其中AST和TG显著下降（P<0.05）,同时发酵乳和易善复组小鼠肝组织脂肪变性有明显好转,基本没有明显的脂肪空泡。表明发酵乳可以抑制肥胖小鼠体重的增加,改善肥胖小鼠的肝脂代谢功能。3）与MD相比干预组小鼠肠道菌群的多样性水平有一定程度的恢复,尤其是厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门。表明发酵乳对于小鼠肠道菌群多样性的恢复有一定的作用。综上,本研究阐明了发酵乳对肥胖小鼠肝脂代谢和肠道菌群的影响,为功能型发酵乳的开发提供理论依据。