Branched‐chain amino acid ratios in low‐protein diets regulate the free amino acid profile and the expression of hepatic fatty acid metabolism‐related genes in growing pigs

Liver metabolism is affected by nutrients. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of low‐protein diets (17% crude protein, CP) supplemented with branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val), on hepatic amino acid profile and lipid metabolism in growing pigs. The ratio of Leu : Ile : Val in all groups was 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (20% crude protein, CP), 1 : 1 : 1 (17% CP), 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 (17% CP), 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (17% CP) and 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 (17% CP) respectively. Results revealed that compared to the positive control group (1 : 0.51 : 0.63, 20% CP), the low‐protein diets significantly augmented the concentrations of most essential amino acids and non‐essential amino acids (p < .05), with the greatest values observed in the 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 group. Moreover, relative to the control, the low‐protein diets with the Leu : Ile : Val ratio ranging from 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 to 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 markedly downregulated the mRNA abundance of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP‐4) (p < .05), and upregulated the mRNA expression of hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐g coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) and liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (L‐CPT‐1) (p < .05). Therefore, our data suggest that protein‐restricted diets supplemented with optimal BCAA ratio, that is, 1 : 0.75 : 0.75–1 : 0.25 : 0.25, induce a shift from fatty acid synthesis to fatty acid oxidation in the liver of growing pigs. These effects may be associated with increased mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Evaluation of β‐carotene assimilation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Although leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are commonly kept under human care, their vitamin requirements are largely unknown. Many invertebrate preys display a low vitamin A concentration; thus, gut‐loading insects with vitamin A or carotenoids is a common practice. The objective of this prospective experimental study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with β‐carotene, including prey gut‐loading, leads to sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage and prevents epithelial squamous metaplasia development in leopard geckos. Ten clinically healthy female leopard geckos were randomly divided in two groups with various supplementations: a group receiving vitamin A supplementation and a group receiving β‐carotene. Insects were gut‐loaded continuously with a supplement containing vitamin A or β‐carotene, depending on the group. Oral supplementation with cod liver oil or carrot juice was administered weekly to each lizard from “vitamin A group” and “carotenoid group” respectively. After 10 weeks of supplementation, surgical hepatic biopsies were obtained in three geckos of each group while the two remaining geckos were euthanized to undergo complete necropsy. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was determined for each lizard (n = 10) by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. Histopathology revealed hepatocellular vacuolization and vitellogenic follicles in five females. Epithelial squamous metaplasia was not observed in any of the geckos. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in the carotenoid‐supplemented group than in the vitamin A‐supplemented group (p = 0.03). Our results suggest that in leopard geckos, dietary supplementation with β‐carotene allows sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage.     

Cystadenocarcinoma of the intrahepatic bile duct in a dog

A 14-year-old spayed female Shih-Tzu was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University for evaluation of an abdominal mass. In diagnostic imaging, two large cystic masses were identified. The affected liver lobes were surgically resected, and the specimens were submitted for histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemical staining. The two cystic lesions were diagnosed as biliary cystadenocarcinoma (BCAC). Recurrence and regional invasion were identified on ultrasonography 36 days postoperatively. The patient died on postoperative day 271. To the best of our knowledge, previously reported case studies of BCAC in dogs presented limited clinical information. In this report, we present a detailed picture comprising a range of clinical information and histopathological examination of BCAC in a dog.     

Ameliorative Effects of Oyster Protein Hydrolysates on Cadmium-Induced Hepatic Injury in Mice

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental toxicant that can cause severe hepatic injury. Oyster protein hydrolysates (OPs) have potential effects on preventing liver disease. In this study, thirty mice were randomly divided into five groups: the control, Cd, Cd + ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, 100 mg/kg), and low/high dose of OPs-treatment groups (100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg). After continuous administration for 7 days, the ameliorative effect of OPs on Cd-induced acute hepatic injury in Cd-exposed mice was assessed. The results showed that OPs significantly improved the liver function profiles (serum ALT, AST, LDH, and ALP) in Cd-exposed mice. Histopathological analysis showed that OPs decreased apoptotic bodies, hemorrhage, lymphocyte accumulation, and inflammatory cell infiltration around central veins. OPs significantly retained the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, and decreased the elevated hepatic MDA content in Cd-exposed mice. In addition, OPs exhibited a reductive effect on the inflammatory responses (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and inhibitory effects on the expression of inflammation-related proteins (MIP-2 and COX-2) and the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway. OPs suppressed the development of hepatocyte apoptosis (Bax, caspase-3, and Blc-2) and the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in Cd-exposed mice. In conclusion, OPs ameliorated the Cd-induced hepatic injury by inhibiting oxidative damage and inflammatory responses, as well as the development of hepatocyte apoptosis via regulating the ERK/NF-κB and PI3K/AKT-related signaling pathways.     

果蔬复合固体饮料的制备及其对小鼠肝性骨病的预防作用

为开发一种感官营养俱佳的保健食品,该研究以欧李、猕猴桃、胡萝卜、葡萄、柑橘5种果蔬为原料,用喷雾干燥法制备复合固体饮料（以下简称\     

水产动物肌酸营养的研究进展

为研究饲料中添加胍基乙酸（GAA）对斑点叉尾鮰生长、肝脏抗氧化以及肌肉能量代谢的影响。本实验共设计4个实验组,分别投喂含0（对照组）、300、600和900 mg/kg GAA（GAA0、GAA300、GAA600和GAA900）的等能等氮饲料,实验周期8周。结果显示,各添加GAA组末均重（FBW）和增重率（WGR）较对照组均有提高趋势,但差异不显著;添加GAA显著影响脏体比（VSI）和腹脂率（IPF）,在GAA300组VSI和IPF最低;以IPF和VSI为评价指标,通过二次函数分析获得GAA最适量分别为275和150 mg/kg。添加GAA对全鱼水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分均无显著影响,对肌肉中游离氨基酸和脂肪酸均无显著影响,但能显著提高肌肉中羟脯氨酸（HYP）含量,改善肌肉品质。添加GAA可提高肝脏抗氧化能力,其中GAA300组的总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性显著高于对照组。添加GAA可改善肌肉能量代谢,其中GAA300组的琥珀酸脱氢酶（SDH）和丙酮酸激酶（PK）活性显著高于对照组。研究表明,饲料中添加GAA对斑点叉尾鮰生长及饲料利用无显著促进作用,但添加150~300 mg/kg GAA能降低斑点叉尾鮰腹部脂肪含量和脏体比,并能提高肝脏抗氧化能力和肌肉能量代谢。

     

Mixotrophy in a Local Strain of Nannochloropsis granulata for Renewable High-Value Biomass Production on the West Coast of Sweden

A local strain of Nannochloropsis granulata (Ng) has been reported as the most productive microalgal strain in terms of both biomass yield and lipid content when cultivated in photobioreactors that simulate the light and temperature conditions during the summer on the west coast of Sweden. To further increase the biomass and the biotechnological potential of this strain in these conditions, mixotrophic growth (i.e., the simultaneous use of photosynthesis and respiration) with glycerol as an external carbon source was investigated in this study and compared with phototrophic growth that made use of air enriched with 1–2% CO₂. The addition of either glycerol or CO₂-enriched air stimulated the growth of Ng and theproduction of high-value long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA) as well as the carotenoid canthaxanthin. Bioassays in human prostate cell lines indicated the highest antitumoral activity for Ng extracts and fractions from mixotrophic conditions. Metabolomics detected betaine lipids specifically in the bioactive fractions, suggesting their involvement in the observed antitumoral effect. Genes related to autophagy were found to be upregulated by the most bioactive fraction, suggesting a possible therapeutic target against prostate cancer progression. Taken together, our results suggest that the local Ng strain can be cultivated mixotrophically in summer conditions on the west coast of Sweden for the production of high-value biomass containing antiproliferative compounds, carotenoids, and EPA.     

喹乙醇诱导鲤肝细胞凋亡的研究

细胞凋亡(apoptosis)是受基因控制的细胞自主的有序死亡。凋亡细胞的形态特征主要表现为细胞核的染色质浓缩,边移,聚集在核膜下,进而核发生裂解,核碎片与细胞碎片有单层膜包裹形成凋亡小体(apoptosisbody)[1]。目前已发现某些物理因素(辐射、高温等)、细胞因子、病毒感染和     

Investigation of Interspecies Interactions within Marine Micromonosporaceae Using an Improved Co-Culture Approach

With respect to bacterial natural products, a significant outcome of the genomic era was that the biosynthetic potential in many microorganisms surpassed the number of compounds isolated under standard laboratory growth conditions, particularly among certain members in the phylum Actinobacteria. Our group, as well as others, investigated interspecies interactions, via co-culture, as a technique to coax bacteria to produce novel natural products. While co-culture provides new opportunities, challenges exist and questions surrounding these methods remain unanswered. In marine bacteria, for example, how prevalent are interspecies interactions and how commonly do interactions result in novel natural products? In an attempt to begin to answer basic questions surrounding co-culture of marine microorganisms, we have tested both antibiotic activity-based and LC/MS-based methods to evaluate Micromonosporaceae secondary metabolite production in co-culture. Overall, our investigation of 65 Micromonosporaceae led to the identification of 12 Micromonosporaceae across three genera that produced unique metabolites in co-culture. Our results suggest that interspecies interactions were prevalent between marine Micromonosporaceae and marine mycolic acid-containing bacteria. Furthermore, our approach highlights a sensitive and rapid method for investigating interspecies interactions in search of novel antibiotics, secondary metabolites, and genes.     

基于UPLC-QTOF/MS的小麦发芽代谢组学分析方法

为探究不同提取方法对发芽小麦代谢物提取效果的影响,本研究建立了基于超高效液相色谱-四级杆飞行时间质谱(UPLC-QTOF/MS)的发芽小麦非靶向代谢组学样品前处理方法和分析方法,以发芽2 d周麦26籽粒为材料,设计提取溶剂、提取方式、提取时间3个因素在3个水平上L9(34)正交试验,并通过主成分分析和聚类分析确定提取效果最佳的组合。以80%乙腈(0.1%甲酸)震摇提取30 min可检测出1609个代谢峰,说明提取溶剂对代谢物提取效果起主要作用。共鉴定出92种小麦代谢物。