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.     

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.     

Effect of miR-19a on lipid catabolism in hepatocyte LO2

AIM: To observe the effect of microRNA-19a (miR-19a) on the lipid catabolism of hepatocyte LO2, and to explore the potential mechanism. METHODS: miR-19a was over-expressed or silenced by transfection of miR-19a mimics or miR-19a inhibitor into LO2 cells, then the mRNA level of miR-19a was detected by real-time PCR. The potential target of miR-19a was found by the method of bioinformatics through internet website. The effect of miR-19a on the 3' UTR of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) was measured by dual luciferase reporter assay, and the protein level of PPARα and its 2 major downstream rate-limiting enzymes involved in lipid catabolism, acyl-coenzyme a dehydrogenase (ACADM) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), were detected by Western blotting. Meanwhile, the effect of miR-19a on the generation of ketone body was measured by beta-hydroxybutyric acid (β-OHB) detection assay. RESULTS: The mRNA level of miR-19a was dramatically elevated by the transfection of miR-19a mimics, and sharply decreased by the transfection of miR-19a inhibitor (P<0.05). PPARα was found as a potential target of miR-19a, and dual luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting confirmed the regulatory effect of miR-19a on the expression of PPARα, with the protein level changes of ACADM and CPT1A. miR-19a mimics down-regulated, while miR-19a inhibitor up-regulated the concentration of β-OHB in LO2 cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-19a regulates the lipid catabolism of hepatocytes by targeting the PPARα and its 2 downstream rate-limiting enzymes.     

烟草氨基酸代谢及其调控机制

综述了植物氨同化以及烟草中苯丙氨酸代谢、脯氨酸代谢、美拉德反应及其与烟叶风味和品质关系的研究进展,并分析了环境因素对烟草氨基酸代谢的影响,为深入研究氨基酸对烟叶品质和风味影响的机制奠定了基础。     

鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖模型大鼠体重、脂肪沉积及脂质代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖大鼠体重、脂肪沉积及脂质代谢影响。随机选取雄性大鼠108只,体重220~240 g,适应性饲养3 d。分为对照组(Ⅰ组)、高脂组(Ⅱ组)和高脂模型组;高脂模型组造模成功后,将其按体重随机分为7组,每组3个重复,每个重复4只;各组在基础饲粮中分别添加0(Ⅲ组)、0.01%(Ⅳ组)、0.05%(Ⅴ组)、0.1%(Ⅵ组)、0.2%(Ⅶ组)、0.4%(Ⅷ组)、0.8%(Ⅸ组)的果胶酶。试验期8周。结果表明:1)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够有效抑制肥胖模型大鼠体重的增长,降低Lee’s指数,控制体型发育。2)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠机体脂肪沉积量。3)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够有效地对肥胖模型大鼠由于摄入高脂饲粮引起的脂肪肝进行干预,使其恢复到正常水平。4)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、游离脂肪酸含量,提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量。5)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性,提高血清脂蛋白酯酶和肝酯酶活性。由此可见,鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖模型大鼠脂肪沉积和脂质代谢具有显著干预修复作用,降脂效果明显。