Tissue expression of ketohexokinase in cats

Ketohexokinase (KHK) metabolizes dietary fructose and is an important regulator of hepatic glucose metabolism. The veterinary literature contains conflicting data regarding the role of KHK in feline fructose metabolism. The study objectives were to determine tissue expression of KHK mRNA and protein in cats, with special emphasis on hepatic expression. KHK mRNA and protein expression were determined using routine RT-PCR and immunoblot techniques. KHK mRNA was detected in feline liver, pancreas, spleen and striated muscle but not in lung. The partial sequence of feline KHK mRNA obtained was highly similar to known KHK mRNA sequences. Immunoblot studies confirmed KHK protein expression in the feline liver. The tissue distribution of KHK mRNA in cats is similar to KHK expression in other species. KHK mRNA and protein expression in feline liver is consistent with previous reports of hepatic fructokinase activity in this species.     

A comparison of the activities of certain enzymes related to energy metabolism in leukocytes in dogs and cats

The activities of Na>⁺,K>⁺-ATPase in plasma membrane, of cytosolic enzymes and of glutamate dehydrogenase (GlGD) in mitochondria were measured in leukocytes (WBC) from dogs and cats to clarify the differences in energy metabolism in these cells. Feline WBC had significantly higher activities of hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK) and LDH with pyruvate as substrate than did canine WBC. Canine WBC had significantly higher activities of glucokinase (GK) and GlDH than did feline WBC. Feline WBC had unique characteristics of energy metabolism in that the activities of the cytosolic enzymes under anaerobic conditions were significantly higher than those in canine WBC. It therefore appears that there are distinct differences in glucose metabolism in WBC between dogs and cats. WBC enzyme activities are considered to reflect the metabolic state in the whole body of the animal. It is therefore suggested that changes in the activities of certain glycolytic enzymes in WBC may be useful as a diagnostic indicator in some types of metabolic disease in dogs and cats.     

High sensitivit to streptozotocin in herbivorous voles,Microtus arvalis,compared to mice

Herbivorous voles, Microtus arvalis, have characteristics similar to herbivores in that their hepatic glycolytic enzyme activities are relatively low. The effects of a single low dose (100 mg/kg body weight) of streptozotocin (STZ) in voles were studied and the difference in sensitivity to or toxicity of STZ in voles and C57BL/6 mice was compared. In voles which received STZ, the cumulative incidence of glycosuria reached 53% by 4 weeks after administration. The diabetic voles showed marked increas in their blood glucose and plasma free fatty acid concentrations and a significant decrease in plasma immunoreactive insulin concentrations. Their hepatic hexokinase, glucokinase, glutathione peroxidase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly and lesions were widely observed in the liver, kidney and pancreas. The activities of glutathione peroxidase, a scavenger of H₂O₂, decreased significantly in their liver and pancreas. These changes were not observed in C57BL/6 mice which received STZ. The higher sensitivity to and toxicity of STZ in voles than in mice are considered to be caused by the characteristically low activities of glycolytic enzymes and glutathione peroxidase in the tissues of voles. Voles may be a good model for studying the mechanisms of cytotoxicity by STZ in herbivorous animals.Abbreviations GK glucokinase - GIDH glutamate dehydrogenase - GSH-px glutathione peroxidase - HE haematoxylin-eosin - HK nexokinase - IRI immunoreactive insulin - STZ streptozotocin     

Cellular and Molecular Characterization of a Feline Insulinoma

Background: Insulinoma is an autonomous insulin-secreting islet cell neoplasm that is rarely diagnosed in cats. The clinical and pathological aspects of feline insulinoma have been described previously, but the molecular characteristics of these tumors have not been investigated.
Objectives: The study objectives were to characterize peptide hormone production and determine expression of selected genes involved in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in a feline insulinoma.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to examine hormone and gene expression, respectively, by insulinoma cells.
Results: Immunohistochemistry examination indicated that the tumor cells expressed insulin, chromogranin A, and somatostatin but not glucagon or pancreatic polypeptide. The tumor expressed several genes characteristic of pancreatic beta cells (β cells) including insulin ( INS ), glucose transporter 2 ( GLUT2 ), and glucokinase ( GCK ). The tumor also expressed hexokinase 1 ( HK1 ), a glycolytic enzyme not normally expressed in β cells. GCK expression was higher in the insulinoma than in normal pancreas from the same cat. The GCK  :  HK1 ratio was >20-fold higher in insulinoma tissue than in normal pancreas.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The feline insulinoma produced several peptide hormones and expressed genes consistent with a β-cell phenotype. The pattern of hexokinase gene expression in tumor cells differed from that of normal pancreas. These findings suggest insulinoma cells may have an increased sensitivity to glucose that could contribute to the abnormal insulin secretory response observed at low serum glucose concentrations.     

碳水化合物种类和水平对大黄鱼生长性能、血清生化指标、肝脏糖代谢相关酶活性及肝糖原含量的影响

本试验旨在研究碳水化合物种类和水平对大黄鱼生长性能、全鱼和肌肉常规成分、血清生化指标、肝脏糖代谢相关酶活性及肝糖原含量的影响。采用2×3双因素试验设计,选取葡萄糖和小麦淀粉2种碳水化合物,分别设0、15%、30%3个碳水化合物水平,共配制5种等氮等脂试验饲料。每种饲料饲喂3个重复,每个重复放养初始体重为(8.53±0.07)g的大黄鱼50尾,养殖试验持续8周。结果表明:饲料碳水化合物种类和水平及其交互作用对大黄鱼的终末体重、增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料系数(FCR)有显著影响(P0.05)。饲料葡萄糖水平由0增加到30%时,大黄鱼的终末体重、WGR和SGR显著降低(P0.05);饲料小麦淀粉水平由0增加到15%时,大黄鱼的终末体重、WGR和SGR显著升高(P0.05),饲料小麦淀粉水平由15%增加到30%时,大黄鱼的终末体重、WGR和SGR显著降低(P0.05)。FCR随饲料葡萄糖水平的升高显著升高(P0.05);FCR在饲料小麦淀粉水平由0增加到15%时显著降低(P0.05),由15%增加到30%时显著升高(P0.05)。15%或30%水平下,小麦淀粉组大黄鱼的终末体重、WGR和SGR均显著高于葡萄糖组(P0.05),饲料系数显著低于葡萄糖组(P0.05)。饲料碳水化合物种类和水平的交互作用对大黄鱼血清总蛋白(TP)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、葡萄糖含量有显著影响(P0.05)。血清葡萄糖含量随饲料葡萄糖的水平升高先降低后升高,各组间差异显著(P0.05);血清葡萄糖含量随饲料小麦淀粉水平的升高逐渐降低,且30%小麦淀粉组显著低于0小麦淀粉组(P0.05)。饲料碳水化合物种类和水平的交互作用对大黄鱼肝脏葡萄糖激酶(GK)、6-磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶(G6Pase)活性及肝糖原含量有显著影响(P0.05)。肝糖原含量随饲料葡萄糖的水平升高持续升高,而随饲料小麦淀粉水平的升高先升高后降低,且15%和30%水平下葡萄糖组均显著高于小麦淀粉组(P0.05)。由此得出,与葡萄糖相比,摄食含小麦淀粉饲料的大黄鱼能够通过调节糖代谢相关酶活性及肝糖原含量来维持血糖浓度的相对恒定,且饲料中添加15%小麦淀粉时能促进大黄鱼生长。     

Changes in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism‐related parameters in domestic pigeon (Columba livia) during incubation and chick rearing

This study aimed to evaluate the hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism‐related parameters of adult male and female White King pigeons (Columba livia) during incubation and chick rearing. At day 4 (I4), 10 (I10) and 17 (I17) of incubation and day 1 (R1), 7 (R7), 15 (R15) and 25 (R25) of chick rearing, livers were sampled from six pigeons for each sex. Glycogen and fat contents, activities of glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, HK; 6‐phosphofructokinase, 6‐PFK), and genes expressions of key enzymes involved in glycolysis (pyruvate kinase, PK; glucokinase, GK), gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase cytosolic, PCK1; fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, FBP1; glucose‐6‐phosphatase, G6Pase), fatty acid synthesis (fatty acid synthase, FAS; acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, ACC) and fatty acid β‐oxidation (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, CPT1; acyl‐CoA 1, ACO) were measured. In male and female pigeon livers, glycogen content and HK activity dramatically increased after I17 and after R1, respectively; expressions of FBP1 and G6Pase genes were maximized at R15; activity of 6‐PFK and expressions of PK and CPT1 genes were highest at R7; fat content and expressions of FAS and ACC genes steeply increased from I10 to R1. In females, hepatic expressions of GK and PCK1 genes were greatest at R7 and I17, respectively; however, in males, both of them were maximized at R15. Hepatic expression of ACO gene was significantly enhanced at R1 compared to I17 and R7 in males, whereas it was notably up‐regulated at I17 and R7 in females. Furthermore, expressions of PCK1, GK, FAS and ACC genes were in significant relation to fat content in the livers of female pigeons, while fat content in male pigeons was highly correlated with expression of PCK1, ACC, CPT1 and ACO genes. In conclusion, regulations of glucose and lipid metabolic processes were enhanced in parent pigeon livers from terminal phases of incubation to mid phase of chick rearing with sexual effects.     

Effects of dietary protein deficiency on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in geese.

This paper was aimed at following up the course of glucose in the liver of protein underfed geese. Compared to normally fed geese, liver carbohydrate metabolism in protein underfed animals can be characterised by lowering of free glucose content of in vitro glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis and reduction of carbohydrates in total oxidation. Glycogen content of the liver and rate of glucose oxidation were also lowered, but these differences were not statistically significant. Summing up our results and taking into consideration some literature data, an overall reduction of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in protein underfed birds may be assumed.     

Fourth ventricular alloxan injection suppresses pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in female rats

Previous studies have suggested the presence of a glucose-sensing mechanism in the hindbrain that appears to regulate reproductive function as well as feeding behavior. The ependymocytes lining the ventricular wall of the hindbrain showed immunoreactivities to pancreatic glucokinase (GK), a key enzyme for glucose sensing in pancreatic B cells. Our goal in the present study was to test whether the GK-immunopositive ependymocytes in the wall of the fourth cerebroventricle (4V) play a role in regulating gonadal activity. Our approach was to determine the effect of injecting alloxan, a GK inhibitor, into the 4V on pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Estrogen-primed ovariectomized rats received an injection of alloxan (10 or 20 microg/animal) into the 4V and blood samples were collected every 6 min for 3 h for measurement of blood LH, corticosterone and glucose levels. Pulsatile LH secretion was suppressed after alloxan injection and all pulse parameters were significantly (P<0.05) inhibited by 20 microg alloxan. Plasma corticosterone levels were increased significantly (P<0.05) by 20 microg alloxan, suggesting that LH pulse suppression by alloxan may be at least partly mediated by activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. The present results suggest that acute suppression of GK activity in the hindbrain inhibits pulsatile LH secretion in female rats, and supports the idea that GK-immunopositive ependymocytes may sense glucose levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and play a role in regulation of LH secretion.     

Glucose participates in the formation of goose fatty liver by regulating the expression of miRNA-33/CROT

Glucose oversupply promotes formation of fatty liver, and fatty liver is usually accompanied with hyperglycemia. However, the mechanism by which glucose promotes formation of fatty liver is not very clear. In this study, fatty liver was successfully induced in Landes goose by 19 days of overfeeding with corn-based feed, the overfed geese had a significantly higher level of blood glucose than the normally fed geese (control group). In goose primary liver cells, high level of glucose promoted fat deposition and induced the expression of SREBF2(or SREBP2), a key regulator of lipid metabolism, and its intronic gene, miR-33. Moreover, overexpression of miRNA-33(miR-33) promotes lipid accumulation in goose primary liver cells. Consistently, miR-33 inhibitor suppressed glucose induced lipid accumulation in liver cells. Interestingly, the relative abundance of miR-33 in goose fatty liver was significantly higher than that in normal liver, while the relative mRNA and protein abundances of CROT, the target gene of miR-33, in goose fatty liver were significantly lower than those in goose normal liver. Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-33 mediates glucose promotion of lipid accumulation in goose primary liver cells, and that glucose participates in formation of goose fatty liver by regulating the expression of miR-33/CROT.     

Differential gene expression of CYP3A isoforms in equine liver and intestines

Tydén, E., Löfgren, M., Pegolo, S., Capolongo, F., Tjälve, H., Larsson, P. Differential gene expression of CYP3A isoforms in equine liver and intestines. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  35 , 588–595. Recently, seven CYP3A isoforms – CYP3A89, CYP3A93, CYP3A94, CYP3A95, CYP3A96, CYP3A97 and CYP129 – have been isolated from the horse genome. In this study, we have examined the hepatic and intestinal gene expression of these CYP3A isoforms using TaqMan probes. We have also studied the enzyme activity using luciferin‐isopropyl acetal (LIPA) as a substrate. The results show a differential gene expression of the CYP3A isoforms in the liver and intestines in horses. In the liver, CYP3A89, CYP3A94, CYP3A96 and CYP3A97 were highly expressed, while in the intestine there were only two dominating isoforms, CYP3A93 and CYP3A96. The isoform CYP3A129 was not detected in the liver or the intestine, although this gene consists of a complete set of exons and should therefore code for a functional protein. It is possible that this gene is expressed in tissues other than the liver and intestines. In the intestine, both CYP3A96 and CYP3A93 showed the highest gene expression in the duodenum and the proximal parts of the jejunum. This correlated with a high protein expression in these tissues. Studies of the enzyme activity showed the same K_m for the LIPA substrate in the liver and the intestine, while the maximum velocity (V_max) in the liver was higher than in the intestine. Our finding of a differential gene expression of the CYP3A isoforms in the liver and the intestines contributes to a better understanding of drug metabolism in horses.     

不同脂肪和葡萄糖水平对大黄鱼生长性能、肝脏糖酵解和糖异生关键酶活性的影响

本试验旨在研究不同脂肪和葡萄糖水平对大黄鱼生长性能、肝脏糖酵解和糖异生关键酶活性、血清生化指标、糖原含量及消化酶活性等的影响。采用2×3双因素试验设计,其中脂肪设5%、10%2个水平,葡萄糖设10%、20%、30%3个水平,共配制6种试验饲料。每种饲料设3个重复,每个重复放养平均体重为(14.79±0.13)g的大黄鱼幼鱼50尾。试验期为8周。结果表明:饲料脂肪和葡萄糖水平的交互作用对大黄鱼增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)和饲料效率(FE)的影响不显著(P0.05)。在饲料脂肪水平为5%时,WGR和SGR随饲料葡萄糖水平增加而降低,30%葡萄糖组的WGR和SGR显著低于10%葡萄糖组(P0.05)。饲料脂肪和葡萄糖水平的交互作用对大黄鱼全鱼水分和粗脂肪含量的影响显著(P0.05),而对全鱼粗蛋白质含量无显著影响(P0.05)。饲料脂肪和葡萄糖水平的交互作用对大黄鱼肝糖原、肌糖原含量有显著影响(P0.05)。在饲料脂肪水平为5%时,肝糖原含量随饲料葡萄糖水平的升高而升高,而肌糖原含量随着饲料葡萄糖水平的升高先升高后降低;在饲料脂肪水平为10%时,肝糖原含量随饲料葡萄糖水平的升高先降低后升高,肌糖原含量随着饲料葡萄糖水平的升高而升高。饲料脂肪和葡萄糖水平的交互作用对大黄鱼血清总蛋白(TP)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、葡萄糖含量及丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活性无显著影响(P0.05);然而,在饲料脂肪水平相同时,血清葡萄糖含量随饲料葡萄糖水平的升高而升高,30%葡萄糖组血清葡萄糖含量显著高于10%葡萄糖组(P0.05)。饲料脂肪和葡萄糖水平的交互作用对大黄鱼肝脏葡萄糖激酶(GK)、磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)活性有显著影响(P0.05),而对丙酮酸激酶(PK)、1,6-二磷酸果糖酶(FBPase)、6-磷酸葡萄糖酶(G6 Pase)活性无显著影响(P0.05)。在饲料脂肪水平为10%时,随饲料葡萄糖水平的升高,肝脏GK、PFK活性升高,肝脏PEPCK活性先升高后降低。由结果可知,与饲料脂肪水平为10%时相比,在饲料脂肪水平为5%时,随饲料葡萄糖的水平的升高,大黄鱼能够通过调节糖代谢关键酶活性及肝糖原含量来维持血糖含量的平衡,有效利用饲料中的葡萄糖。综合本试验结果,建议大黄鱼幼鱼阶段饲料适宜的脂肪和糖水平分别为10%和20%。     

Hepatic enzyme activities and plasma insulin concentrations in diabetic herbivorous voles

The activities of the hepatic glycolytic enzymes glucokinase (GKase) and hexokinase (HKase) in herbivorous Microtus arvalis were very low and the hepatic fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (FDPase) activities were aomost the same as those in C57BL/6J mice. Glycosuria was observed in over 50% of voles fed on a low fibre, high concentrate diet. Voles with a high incidence of glycosuria for over 6 weeks became insulin deficient. In these diabetic voles, the hepatic GKase, HKase and FDPase activities decreased considerably as a result of diminished insulin secretion and fatty degeneration of the hepatic cells. It was considered that M. arvalis would be a useful animal model in which to study disorders of glucose utilization in herbivora.     

Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism by exogenous dexamethasone and corticosterone in post-hatched White Leghorn chicks.

1. Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism in terms of tissue glycogen contents, phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) activity, hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (6-6-Pase: EC 3.1.3.9) activity and blood glucose have been evaluated in 30-d-old White Leghorn chicks under induced chronic hypocorticalism (by dexamethasone: DXM) and hypercorticalism (by corticosterone: CORT). 2. DXM treatment showed increased tissue glycogen contents and hypoglycaemia with decreased phosphorylase activity while CORT treatment produced a reverse set of changes. 3. Both steroid treatments increased hepatic G-6-Pase activity. These observations have been taken to indicate a definite role for glucocorticoids in regulating carbohydrate metabolism in neonatal chicks. 4. It is suggested that hypo- or hyper-corticalism could influence carbohydrate metabolism by affecting the secretory/activity ratio of pancreatic hormones.     

苹果酸酶在葡萄糖和胰岛素诱导鹅肝脂肪变性中的作用研究

本研究旨在研究不同浓度葡萄糖和胰岛素诱导鹅肝脂肪变性过程中苹果酸酶(Malic enzyme,ME)的活性及其mRNA表达情况,以探讨ME在鹅肝脂肪变性中的作用。根据鸡ME基因序列保守区设计引物,通过RT-PCR、克隆测序等技术扩增鹅ME基因;分离、培养四川白鹅原代肝细胞,添加不同浓度葡萄糖和胰岛素诱导肝细胞脂肪变性,检测细胞内甘油三酯(TG)含量、ME活性及其mRNA表达情况。结果发现,鹅ME基因跟原鸡同源性最高;与对照组相比,葡萄糖及其与胰岛素协同作用均能显著促进肝细胞内甘油三酯(TG)沉积,且呈现出剂量递增效应,而胰岛素对细胞内TG含量影响不明显;与对照组比较得出:ME的活性和mRNA表达水平随着葡萄糖浓度升高而增加,30mmol.L-1葡萄糖具有明显的促进作用(P<0.05);低浓度(50nmol.L-1)胰岛素显著增加ME的活性和mRNA表达水平(P<0.05),当胰岛素浓度达到200nmol.L-1时,ME的活性和mRNA表达水平受到一定抑制;葡萄糖和低浓度胰岛素(50nmol.L-1)协同能促进ME的活性和mRNA表达水平。本研究扩增获得了鹅ME基因部分序列,且发现葡萄糖和胰岛素协同可以增强ME的活性和mRNA表达水平,从而显著增加肝脏中TG的含量,诱导鹅肝脂肪变性。     

Effects of (−)‐hydroxycitric acid on lipid droplet accumulation in chicken embryos

This study was conducted to determine the impact of (?)‐hydroxycitric acid ((?)‐HCA) on biochemical indices and lipid metabolism parameters in chicken embryos. Two hundred and forty fertilized eggs were divided into six groups and injected with (?)‐HCA at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10.0 and 50 mg/kg (n = 40). After 19 days of incubation, serum and liver were collected for analysis of biochemical indices and lipid metabolism parameters. Results showed no significant differences on serum biochemical indices: 1–50 mg/kg (?)‐HCA significantly increased serum glucose and hepatic glycogen contents (P < 0.05). Oil Red O staining analysis showed total area, counts of lipid droplets and hepatic triglyceride content were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), meanwhile hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase activity were significantly increased (P < 0.05). ACLY, ME1, SREBP‐1c messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in 0.5–10 mg/kg groups and FAS mRNA level in 1–10 mg/kg groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while PPARα mRNA level, serum adiponectin content and AdipoR1 mRNA level were significantly increased in 0.5–50 mg/kg groups (P < 0.05). These results indicated (?)‐HCA treatment inhibited triglyceride synthesis via decreasing lipogenesis‐related factors, mRNA expression level and accelerated lipolysis by enhancing lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activity, which finally reduced lipid droplet accumulation, and this action may be associated with activating the adiponectin signaling pathway.     

Sublethal effects of manganese on the carbohydrate metabolism of Oreochromis mossambicus after acute and chronic exposure

Carbohydrate metabolism variables of Oreochromis mossambicus were investigated after acute and chronic sublethal manganese exposure. The sublethal concentrations were determined from the LC₅₀ value of manganese. After the exposures, the fish were carefully netted and blood was drawn from the caudal aorta. The differences in the values of carbohydrate metabolism variables of exposed fish were measured against control values and statistically analysed to prove statistically significant differences in variable values, caused by the metal pollutant (P < 0.05). The results obtained showed changes in the carbohydrate metabolism variables (glucose, lactate, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase concentrations). These alterations are produced as a result of increased levels of Cortisol and catecholamines, as well as hypoxic conditions. The latter induce hyperglycemia and increased lactate levels. Hypoxia may be a result of the damaging effect of manganese on the gills after exposure. The enzymes involved in the carbohydrate metabolism are sensitive to metal exposure and therefore enzyme concentrations fluctuated after the exposure to manganese. Enzyme function plays an important role in the catalysing of chemical reactions in an organism and the disturbance thereof could lead to death. Fish enzyme levels are therefore important biomarkers in the event of metal pollution in a water source.     

Differential expression of genes implicated in liver lipid metabolism in broiler chickens differing in weight

ABSTRACT

1. Lipid parameters and expression of ACACA, APOA1, CPT1A, FASN, FOXO1, LIPG, PPARα and SIRT1 genes involved in lipid metabolism were investigated in two groups of high (HW) and low (LW) weight broilers from the same strain.

2. Blood cholesterol and liver triglyceride levels were significantly increased in HW chickens compared to LW broilers, while other parameters, i.e. blood triglyceride, blood HDL/LDL, liver cholesterol and total liver fat showed no significant changes in either group.

3. The relative expression of ACACA, APOA1 and CPT1A genes was significantly lower in the liver tissues of HW broilers than in the LW group. The mRNA levels of these three genes showed a significant negative correlation with abdominal fat deposition and live weight of broilers. However, relative expression of FASN, FOXO1, LIPG, PPARα and SIRT1 hepatic genes did not differ among broilers.

4. It was concluded that, of eight hepatic genes implicated in lipid metabolism, only the expression of three (ACACA, APOA1 and CPT1A) were significant for fat and leanness within the same strain of chicken. Since reducing body fat is a major goal in the broiler industry, these data can provide fresh insight into the molecular processes underlying the regulation of fat deposition in broilers.     

Activity of hepatic but not skeletal muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase enzyme is depressed by intravenous glucose infusions in lactating dairy cows*

A positive energy balance in dairy cows pre‐partum may decrease hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) enzyme activity, which might contribute to disturbances of lipid metabolism post‐partum. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether skeletal muscle CPT activity can also be downregulated during positive energy balance. Mid‐lactating dairy cows were maintained on intravenous infusion of either saline (control) or glucose solutions that increased linearly over 24 days, remained at the 24‐day level until day 28 and were suspended thereafter. Liver and skeletal muscle biopsies, as well as four diurnal blood samples, were taken on days 0, 8, 16, 24, and 32, representing infusion levels equivalent to 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 0% of the net energy for lactation (NE_L) requirement respectively. Glucose infusion increased serum insulin concentrations on day 16 and 24 while plasma glucose levels were increased at only a single time point on day 24. Serum beta‐hydroxybutyric acid concentrations decreased between day 8 and 24; whereas changes in non‐esterified fatty acids were mostly insignificant. Total lipid contents of liver and skeletal muscle were not affected by treatment. Hepatic CPT activity decreased with glucose infusion (by 35% on day 24) and remained decreased on day 32. Hepatic expression levels of CPT‐1A and CPT‐2 mRNA were not significantly altered but tended to reflect the changes in enzyme activity. In contrast to the liver, no effect of glucose infusion was observed on skeletal muscle CPT activity. We conclude that suppression of CPT activity by positive energy balance appears to be specific for the liver in mid‐lactating dairy cows.