Effects of low-protein diet supplementation with alpha-ketoglutarate on growth performance,nitrogen metabolism and mTOR signalling pathway of skeletal muscle in piglets

Excessive protein levels in diets result in incomplete digestion of nitrogenous nutrients that are excreted from the body, causing environment pollution. Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) has been reported to decrease dietary protein levels, promote intestinal health in piglets and reduce environmental pollution. However, the underlying mechanisms of AKG are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of low-protein diet supplementation of AKG on the growth performance, nitrogen metabolism, relative expression of amino acid transporter genes and mTOR signalling pathway of skeletal muscle in piglets. Forty-eight piglets with an initial weight of 11.53 ± 0.04 kg were randomly divided into four groups. Each group had four replicates, and each replicate had three pigs. A low-protein (LP) diet (crude protein was 14.96%) served as the control without AKG, while 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% AKG were added to the LP diet for the other experimental groups. The trial period lasted for 28 days. Compared with the LP group, the LP + 1.0%A and LP + 1.5%A groups increased the growth performance (p < .05);increased the mRNA levels of amino acid transporters in the duodenum, anterior jejunum and posterior jejunum (p < .05); and reduced faecal nitrogen and urine nitrogen emissions (p < .05). They also showed greater mRNA levels and phosphorylated protein levels for S6 kinase beta (S6K) (p < .05), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (p < .05) and 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1) (p < .05) in skeletal muscle. An LP diet supplemented with AKG activated the mTOR signalling and promoted the ability of the small intestine to absorb protein, thereby increasing protein deposition. Taken together, an LP diet supplemented with AKG provides a theoretical basis for the promotion and application of AKG in piglet production.     

Cold plasma promotes Sertoli cell proliferation via AMPK–mTOR signaling pathway

This study investigated cold plasmas for multiple biological applications. Our previous work has found dielectric barrier discharge plasma improves chicken sperm quality. The number of Sertoli cells (SCs) decides spermatogenesis. However, whether cold plasma can regulate SC proliferation remains unclear. This study explored the effects of cold plasma on immature chicken SC proliferation and the regulation mechanism. Results showed that cold plasma exposure at 2.4 W for 30 s twice with an interval of 6 h produced (P<0.05) the maximum SC viability, cell growth, and cell cycle progression. SC proliferation-promoting effect of cold plasma treatment was regulated by increasing (P<0.05) the adenosine triphosphate production and the respiratory enzyme activity in the mitochondria. This process was potentially mediated by the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which was regulated by the microRNA (miRNA) targeting regulation directly and by the intracellular reactive oxygen species homeostasis indirectly. The cold plasma treatment increased (P<0.01) the miR-7450-5p expression and led to a decreased (P<0.01) AMPKα1 level. On the other hand, miR-100-5p expression was reduced (P<0.05) and led to an increased (P<0.05) mTOR level in SCs. A single-stranded synthetic miR-7450-5p antagomir and a double-stranded synthetic miR-100-5p agomir reduced (P<0.05) the SC proliferation. However, this could be ameliorated (P<0.05) by the cold plasma treatment. Our findings suggest that appropriate cold plasma treatment provides a safe strategy to improve SC proliferation, which is beneficial to elevating male chicken reproductive capacity.     

雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)信号通路参与沉默信息调节因子1(Sirt1)抑制小鼠脂肪沉积

探讨沉默信息调节因子1(Sirt1)对小鼠脂肪沉积的抑制作用和雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)信号通路的影响。用Sirt1的激动剂白藜芦醇(100mg·kg-·1d-1)和抑制剂尼克酰胺(500mg·kg-·1d-1)灌胃处理小鼠(Mus mussulus)15d,记录小鼠体质量变化,测定小鼠皮下脂肪、附睾脂肪和肾周脂肪的沉积量,试剂盒测定血脂指标,同时利用Real-timePCR分析与脂肪生成密切相关的转录因子过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)、固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(SREBP1)和脂解基因甘油三酯水解酶(ATGL)、激素敏感性脂肪酶(HSL)、围脂滴蛋白(Perilipin)及生脂基因脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)mRNA的表达水平,检测mTOR通路关键因子雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)、核糖体S6蛋白激酶1(S6K1)和真核启动因子4E结合蛋白1(4EBP1)mRNA表达水平。与对照组相比,白藜芦醇处理组小鼠体质量增加量和体脂含量均显著降低(P<0.01),血清中甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)浓度均显著降低(P<0.01),而高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)浓度升高(P<0.01),mTOR通路关键因子mTOR、4EBP1和S6K1mRNA表达水平降低(P<0.01),脂代谢相关基因PPARγ、SREBP1及成脂基因FASmRNA表达水平显著降低(P<0.01),脂解相关基因ATGL、HSL和PerilipinmRNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.01);烟酰胺处理组小鼠体质量、附睾脂肪以与皮下脂肪沉积量增加缓慢(P>0.05),肾周脂肪沉积量增加(P<0.05),血清中LDL-C浓度升高(P<0.05),HDL-C浓度降低(P<0.01),mTOR通路关键因子mTOR和4EBP1mRNA表达水平升高(P<0.01),而脂代谢调控相关因子PPARγ和SREBP1mRNA水平升高(P<0.05),ATGLmRNA表达量显著降低(P<0.05),FAS、HSL和PerilipinmRNA表达量变化不显著(P>0.05)。表明激活Sirt1可减少脂肪合成,增加脂肪分解,从而降低体脂沉积,而mTOR信号通路参与这个过程。     

三氯生通过诱导巨噬细胞非mTOR途径自噬加强胞内菌杀伤

为了研究三氯生能否引起细胞自噬并探讨其可能的诱导通路,揭示三氯生作为抗菌药物的新作用机制,利用免疫荧光、菌落计数、免疫印迹等技术检测经三氯生处理过细胞的自噬水平、相关蛋白表达量的变化及杀菌能力的改变。结果表明:三氯生能引起Hela细胞和Raw264.7细胞的自噬,并且该自噬为完全自噬。三氯生诱导的小鼠巨噬细胞系Raw264.7细胞自噬依赖的是胞外信号调节激酶(Extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK)途径,而非经典的雷帕霉素靶蛋白(Mammalian target of rapamycin,m TOR)途径。此外,三氯生通过该作用机制加强了巨噬细胞对胞内菌的杀伤作用。研究表明,三氯生诱导自噬的现象在细胞中普遍存在,自噬在对抗病原微生物中起到重要作用,诱导自噬是三氯生作为抗菌药物的新作用机制。     

Inhibition of PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR signal pathway dismissed the stimulation of glucose on goose liver cell growth

In the formation of goose fatty liver induced by a high‐carbohydrate diet, it is characterized by the quick cell growth of liver. The carbohydrate is mostly digested and absorbed in the small intestine by the form of glucose. Recent studies have suggested a crucial role for PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway in regulating cell proliferation, and then we speculate that PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway may mediate glucose‐induced liver cell proliferation. Goose primary hepatocytes were isolated and incubated in either no addition as a control or glucose or PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway inhibitors or cotreatment with glucose and PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway inhibitors. The results firstly showed that 35 mmol/l glucose stimulated the mRNA level and protein content of factors involved in PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR signal pathway in goose primary hepatocytes. Secondly, 35 mmol/l glucose evidently changed the cell cycle PI index and protein expression of cyclin D1. Meanwhile, the upregulation of 35 mmol/l glucose on the DNA synthesis rate, cell cycle PI index, the mRNA expression, protein content and protein expression of factors involved in the cell proliferation was decreased significantly by the inhibitors of PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway, LY294002, rapamycin or NVP‐BEZ235. In summary, glucose could stimulate the cell proliferation, and the PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway inhibitors could dismiss glucose‐induced the upregulation of cell proliferation in goose primary hepatocyte.     

健脾解毒方对大肠癌细胞mTOR信号通路相关蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨健脾解毒方对大肠癌细胞增殖的影响及可能作用机制。方法 采用水提法制作健脾解毒方提取物,利用超高效液相-高分辨飞行时间质谱法分析健脾解毒方的主要成分,MTT法检测健脾解毒方对大肠癌细胞增殖的影响,Graphpad Prism5软件计算IC₅₀值,流式细胞术检测细胞周期,Western Blot技术检测Phospho-mTOR、Phospho-P53和P21的蛋白表达。结果 健脾解毒方能够抑制大肠癌细胞增殖,处理24、48、72 h后四种大肠癌细胞系的IC₅₀值分别为HCT116（6.894、5.668、3.648 mg/mL）、LoVo（14.65、8.737、7.849 mg/mL）、SW48（8.029、7.026、5.740 mg/mL）及HT29（13.06、9.646、8.448 mg/mL）;健脾解毒方使大肠癌细胞周期阻滞在G1期;并能够下调Phospho-mTOR蛋白表达（P<0.05）,上调Phospho-P53和P21蛋白的表达（P<0.05）,使大肠癌细胞周期阻滞在G1期。结论 健脾解毒方可能通过mTOR-P53-P21途径抑制大肠癌细胞的增殖,这可能是健脾解毒方治疗大肠癌的作用机制之一。     

Partial replacement of fishmeal by fermented soybean meal in diets for juvenile white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

As an important feed ingredient, fermented soybean meal (FSM) has been widely used in aquatic animals due to its stable sources and reasonable price. Here, we evaluated the potential for replacement of fishmeal (FM) with FSM in diet of Litopenaeus vannamei. Five isonitrogenous (410 g/kg) and isolipidic (80 g/kg) diets were formulated: a control diet containing 320 g/kg FM and four experimental diets in which FM in control diet was replaced by FSM at 10 (FSM10%), 20 (FSM20%), 30 (FSM30%) and 40% (FSM40%). An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted in fifteen fibreglass tanks with 50 shrimps per tank. After 8 weeks trial, FSM20% had significantly enhanced growth performance (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in body composition and digestive enzyme activities of all groups (p > 0.05). Through real‐time quantitative PCR analysis, tor and s6k expression levels of FSM20% were significantly up‐regulated (p < 0.05). Results of western blot showed that the phosphorylation of S6K was not significantly affected by different dietary treatments (p > 0.05), which suggested mTOR signalling pathway was not affected by FSM diets. Based on the above data, 20% replacement of FM with FSM was reasonable and advantageous for L. vannamei diet.     

细胞自噬与衰老

综述了在细胞水平和分子水平自噬系统变化与衰老进程的相关性研究,阐述了细胞自噬可能对衰老具有调节作用。     

Astragalosides inhibit autophagy and apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes induced by H2O2 through mTOR signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effects of astragalosides on autophagy and apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes induced by hydrogenperoxide (H₂O₂).METHODS: The injury model of H9c2 cells induced by H₂O₂ was established, and the cells in astragalosides group and rapamycin group were treated with 20 mg/L astragalosides and 0.1 mg/L rapamycin, respectively. The apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The autophagy was observed by acridine orange staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of p-mTOR, P70S6K, LC3 and caspase-3. RESULTS: Compared with H₂O₂ group and rapamycin group, the viability of H9c2 cells in astragalosides group was significantly increased (P<0.05). The shape of the H9c2 cells in astragalosides group was complete, the nuclei were stained with yellow-green fluorescence, and the chromatin was distributed evenly. The protein levels of p-mTOR and P70S6K in the H9c2 cells of astragalosides group were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas the protein levels of LC3, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-3 in the H9c2 cells of astragalosides group were decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Astragalosides enhance the viability, inhibit the apoptosis, increase the protein levels of p-mTOR and P70S6K, and decrease the protein levels of LC3, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-3 in the H₂O₂-induced rat myocardial H9c2 cells. The mechanism is related to the mTOR signaling pathway.     

Effect of di-indolyl thiozoline on proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of di-indolyl thiozoline (DIIT) on the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS: The effects of DIIT on the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cell line were determined by CCK-8 assay and EdU assay. The effects of DIIT on the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), cyclin D1, and the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: After the A549 cells were treated with DIIT at 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L, the cell viability detected by CCK-8 assay was decreased by 12%, 27% (P<0.01), 33% (P<0.01) and 52% (P<0.01), respectively, compared with DMSO control group. The EdU positive cell number determined by EdU assay was decreased by 10%, 21% (P<0.05), 26% (P<0.05) and 34% (P<0.01), respectively, compared with DMSO control group. Compared with DMSO control group, DIIT inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR and the expression of cyclin CDK4 and cyclin D1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Di-indolyl thiozoline inhibits the proliferation of A549 cells, which may be related to the decreases in phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR and the inhibition of cell cycle-related protein expression.