Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Lipid Metabolism Signaling Pathways between Muscle and Fat Tissues in Broiler Chickens

In this study, signaling pathways and key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in lipid metabolism in muscle and fat tissues were investigated. Muscle and abdominal fat tissues were obtained from 35-day-old female broilers for RNA sequencing. DEGs between muscle and fat tissues were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed. A total of 6130 DEGs were identified to be significantly enriched in 365 GO terms, most of which were involved in biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions in muscle and fat tissues. Three important lipid signaling pathways (pyruvate metabolism, the insulin signaling pathway, and the adipocytokine signaling pathway) were identified among the fat and muscle tissues of broilers. The key common DEGs in these pathways included phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 alpha and beta (ACACA and ACACB), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (AMPK) gene family. Hence, our findings revealed the pathways and key genes and gene families involved in the regulation of fat deposition in the muscle and fat tissues of broilers.     

Effects of dietary lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio on growth and carbohydrate metabolism in juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio on growth and carbohydrate metabolism in juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum). Six isonitrogenous diets were prepared to vary in lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio (g/g) as follows: D1, 2.26; D2, 1.31; D3, 0.78; D4, 0.47; D5, 0.34; and D6, 0.23. Cobias were fed to satiety for 8 weeks. The weight gain and protein efficiency ratio in D1 group were significantly lower than those in other groups (P < 0.05), accompanied by a lower level of feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Protein retention efficiency in D4 and D6 and whole body protein in D4 and D5 were significantly higher than those in D1 group (P < 0.05). Survival rate in D4 group was the highest among all groups and was significantly higher than that in D1, D2 and D5 (P < 0.05). In terms of serum triglyceride, D1 and D2 were significantly higher than D6 (P < 0.05). Hepatosomatic index in D3 and D4 was significantly lower than that in D1 (P < 0.05). Fructose-1,6-diphosphatase in D4 was significantly higher than that in D1 and D3 (P < 0.05). Phosphofructokinase in D3 and D4 and malic enzyme in D4 and D5 were significantly higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05). Results indicate that cobia utilizes carbohydrates as energy source more efficiently than it utilizes lipids. The optimal lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio in juvenile cobia diets is 0.47.     

Energy metabolism and apoptotic effect of microwave radiation on rat myocardial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of microwave radiation at different intensities on the rat myocardium and its possible mechanism.METHODS: The rats were radiated by the intensity of 500, 1 000, 1 500 and 2 000 W/m² with 2 450 MHz microwave for 6 min. The heart tissue was collected 6 h after microwave radiation. ATP and mitochondria complex Ⅳ and Ⅴ were measured. The changes of the tissue structures were observed under transmission electron microscope. The apoptosis of the myocardial cells was detected by a cell analyzer. The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was determined by Western blotting.RESULTS: The concentration of ATP and activity of mitochondria complex Ⅳand Ⅴ signi-ficantly decreased compared with control group in the cardiac tissues. The decreased number, morphological abnormalities such as dissolved cavitation, matrix and obvious tumefaction of mitochondria were observed under transmission electron microscope. The microwave radiation induced the apoptosis of myocardial cells in the rats. The cell apoptotic rate and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 increased with increasing intensity of microwave radiation(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Microwave radiation has obvious injury effect on the rat heart, which can cause cardiac energy metabolism dysregulation and cardiac myocyte apoptosis.     

Effect of Lysine Supplement on the Digestion and Metabolism of the Rumen in Small-tail Han Sheep

5 male Small-tail Han sheep with the body weight of 45 kg at 1.5 years old,fitted with permanent rumen fistula,to study of the effect of the supplement of the untreated commercial lysine on the rumen microbiocoenosis,rumen metabolism and whole body metabolism by 5×5 Latin square design (5 groups:control,control with low urea (equal nitrogen),low lysine,control with high urea (equal nitrogen),high lysine).The amounts of lysine-HCl supplement were 0,4.0 and 8.0 g/kg diet (as DM basis) in each group respectively,with two urea supplement control groups of equal amount of nitrogen.The results showed that by supplement of 4.0 and 8.0 g/kg of lysine-HCl diet (as DM basis) respectively,the voluntary intake of dry matter of sheep were increased by 5.5%(P>0.05) and 11.8%(P<0.05) respectively.The total amount of rumen bacteria were increased by 18.9%(P<0.01) and 23.9%(P<0.01) respectively,as the amount of rumen Coccus was increased by 21.2%(P<0.01) and 30.1%(P<0.01) respectively.The amount of rumen big Bacillus was decreased by 16.7%(P<0.05) and 33.3%(P<0.01) respectively.The total VFA of was increased by 9.6%(P<0.05) and 12.2%(P<0.01) respectively,as the butyric acid was increased by 12.8%(P>0.05) and 20.2%(P<0.01) respectively.The apparent digestibility of organic matter was increased by 6.4%(P>0.05) and 10.0%(P<0.05) respectively,the apparent digestibility of crude protein was increased by 7.0%(P>0.05) and 18.3%(P<0.01) respectively;And nitrogen retention was increased by 46.4%(P>0.05) and 110.7%(P<0.01) respectively.However,there was no effect of lysine supplement on the amounts of the rumen protozoa and fungi,and the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen.It was concluded that the supplement of untreated commercial lysine to adult sheep would increase the voluntary intake,digestibility,nitrogen retention the rumen microbiocoenosis and the total amount of rumen bacteria,especially the rumen Coccus of adult sheep.The effect of lysine supplement could not be replaced by urea supplement completely.     

Characterization of Nitrate-Reducing and Amino Acid–Using Bacteria Prominent in Nitrotoxin-Enriched Equine Cecal Populations

Horses can be at risk for nitropoisoning by consuming plants containing 3-nitro-1-propionic acid or 3-nitro-1-propanol and to a lesser extent by plants containing nitrate. Populations of equine cecal microbes enriched for enhanced rates of 3-nitro-1-propionic acid (NPA) or nitrate metabolism were cultured for NPA- or nitrate-metabolizing bacteria on basal enrichment medium or tryptose soy agar supplemented with either 5-mM NPA or nitrate and under H₂:CO₂ (20:80) as the energy source. After 72 hours, separated colonies picked from plates, or roll tubes were cultured in fresh broth medium for 72 hours and then identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Isolates from the NPA-enriched populations were identified as Streptococcus lutetiensis (five strains), Escherichia coli (two strains), and Sporanaerobacter acetigens (one strain). Strains isolated from nitrate-enriched populations were identified as Escherichia coli (one strain) and Wolinella succinogenes (three strains). None of these strains degraded NPA. Enriched populations of equine cecal microbes, the isolated pure strains and the type strain of Denitrobacterium detoxificans, a competent NPA-metabolizing microbe, were examined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE analysis indicated that none of the strains in the enriched population of equine cecal microbes were similar to D. detoxificans. However, we report for the first time the isolation of the anaerobic amino acid–using Sporanaerobacter acetigenes from the equine cecum.     

2株可培养细菌氮代谢特性的研究

研究旨在分析土壤中可培养细菌菌株的氮代谢特征,并进一步探讨微生物在土壤氮素转化中的可能作用机制。以2株分离自苹果园土壤的细菌菌株SY5-4和SY11-10为试材,采用传统培养方法结合分子检测技术,分别测定菌株生长特性及其氮素转化能力。研究结果表明,异养条件下,菌株SY5-4和SY11-10的世代时间分别为243.5 min和202.7 min。菌株生长过程中,培养液中铵态氮浓度始终维持在较高水平,铵态氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮浓度均表现出先升后降的趋势。硝化（amoA和hao）和反硝化（nosZ、norB、nirK和nap）基因检测结果表明,菌株SY11-10具有多种氮素转化潜能。综上,供试菌株培养过程中,培养液中氮素发生变化,并在菌体中检测到不同氮转化基因,表明菌株参与多种氮代谢途径。     

基于Bacillus cereus 3BS1的生物肥研究

[目的]本研究主要目的是探索海藻酸钠细菌颗粒生物肥最佳基材配方,对此种生物肥在贮存及应用中的性质及土壤中降解特性进行研究。[方法]生物肥最佳包埋基材的筛选,细菌计数法研究生物肥在4℃和室温条件下贮存时细菌活性的变化情况,通过生物肥直径变化研究其在土壤中的生物降解情况。[结果]研究表明,基材配方为1.5%海藻酸钠+0.5%大米粉的生物肥,能够达到最佳构形及最高细菌活性,与未加入大米粉的1.5%纯海藻酸盐基材相比,细菌包含率最高,为112.3%,且在贮存过程中能够保持细菌的高活性。此生物肥埋在土壤中3 cm深时降解最快,11 d可完全降解。[结论]获得一种低成本、实用、高效的生物肥,基材最佳配方为1.5%海藻酸钠+0.5%大米粉。     

四种柱花草种子萌发中参与氮代谢的酶活性变化

研究了4种柱花草种子萌发过程中参与氮代谢的蛋白酶、肽酶和硝酸还原酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,蛋白酶的活性随着柱花草种子萌发的深入而不断上升,在种子即将露白胚根突破种皮的时候蛋白酶活性达到最大值。此后,随着胚芽的生长蛋白酶活性逐渐降低,其中热研2号柱花草的蛋白酶活性高于其他3种;肽酶活性的变化总体呈上升趋势;硝酸还原酶呈S型变化。了解柱花草种子萌发期各种酶活性的变化规律,为深入研究柱花草种子萌发时贮藏物质的动员和代谢机理提供数据。     

Affecting Lipid Metabolism Salivary MicroRNAs Expressions in Arabian Racehorses Before and After the Race

The active roles of microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in gene regulation have made miRNAs a key point for the scientific world in the study of physiological processes. Although saliva includes the largest number of miRNAs, there is no miRNA study in saliva on horses has been found. Our study is the first study on miRNAs isolation from saliva in horses. In the present study, saliva was studied in Arabian racehorses to better understand the molecular mechanisms of expression levels that are effective in lipid metabolism of miRNAs and their target genes during the race. Identification of lipid metabolism of miRNAs and their target genes is an opportunity to provide information about biomarkers in Arabian racehorses on energy supply for race performance. Arabian racehorses have low glycogen content and high triglyceride storage capability, thanks to the high amount of oxidative type I fiber in their muscle tissue. Therefore, Arabian racehorses can provide higher levels of energy using more fat. The aim of this study is to determine the prerace and postrace expression levels of eight miRNAs in saliva that are known to affect lipid metabolism in Arabian racehorses. The expression level of eca-miR-33a was found to be statistically significant (P < .05). Target genes of eca-miR-33a have been copredicted as ABCA1, CROT, ABHD2, and SATB2, with three validated databases and other analysis tools. In conclusion, these findings revealed that both eca-miR-33a and its target genes could be potential core genes that play important roles in lipid metabolism in Arabian racehorses to provide energy during the race.     

Puerarin improved growth performance and postmortem meat quality by regulating lipid metabolism of cattle under hot environment

This study aims to evaluate the effect of puerarin on performance, meat quality, and serum indexes of beef cattle under hot environment. Thirty-two bulls were divided into four groups and fed diet supplemented with puerarin at 0, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg. Results showed that heat stress was employed for 54 out of 60 days, 400 mg/kg group declined serum cortisol (COR) contents, all treatments increased the contents of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total superoxide dismutase activity; in addition, glutathione peroxidase activity of 200 mg/kg group were enhanced, only 800 mg/kg group enhanced immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol contents compared with the control (p < .05). Moreover, 400-mg/kg puerarin increased serum growth hormone levels compared with 200 mg/kg group but declined COR concentrations compared with 200 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups (p < .05). More importantly, average daily gain and daily matter intake, and intramuscular fat contents of 400 mg/kg group were enhanced, but the shear force of beef in 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups were declined compared with the control (p < .05). These findings indicated that supplemental with puerarin enhanced immune and antioxidant, and 400 mg/kg of puerarin improved performance and meat quality by normalizing levels of stress hormones and increasing intramuscular fat deposition of beef cattle under hot environment.