Influence of the dietary protein:lipid ratio and fish oil substitution on fatty acid composition and metabolism of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) reared at high water temperatures

DHA Suppresses Hepatic Lipid Accumulation via Cyclin D1 in Zebrafish

With the widespread use of high-fat diets (HFDs) in aquaculture, fatty livers are frequently observed in many fish species. The aim of this study was to investigate if docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could be used to reduce the fatty liver in zebrafish generated by a 16% soybean oil-HFD over 2 weeks of feeding. The DHA was added to iso-lipidic HFD at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% of diet. Supplementation of DHA reduced growth and feed efficiency in a dose dependent manner being lowest in the HFDHA2.0 group. Hepatic triglyceride (TG) in zebrafish fed 0.5% DHA-supplemented HFD (HFDHA0.5) was significantly lower than in the HFD control. Transcriptional analyses of hepatic genes showed that lipid synthesis was reduced, while fatty acid β-oxidation was increased in the HFDHA0.5 group. Furthermore, the expression of Cyclin D1 in liver of zebrafish fed HFDHA0.5 was significantly reduced compared to that in fish fed HFD. In zebrafish liver cells, Cyclin D1 knockdown and blocking of Cyclin D1-CDK4 signal led to inhibited lipid biosynthesis and elevated lipid β-oxidation. Besides, DHA-supplemented diet resulted in a rich of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota in gut microbiota, which promoted lipid β-oxidation but did not alter the expression of Cyclin D1 in germ-free zebrafish model. In conclusion, DHA not only inhibits hepatic lipid synthesis and promotes lipid β-oxidation via Cyclin D1 inhibition, but also facilitates lipid β-oxidation via gut microbiota. This study reveals the lipid-lowering effects of DHA and highlights the importance of fatty acid composition when formulating fish HFD.

Effects of fasting and temperature on the biological parameters, proximal composition, and fatty acid profile of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at different life stages

We investigated the effects of temperature and fasting on chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at different life stages. In the first stage, fish were reared at 13 °C (198.5 ± 34.6 g) or 17 °C (218.3 ± 47.6 g) and fasted for 27 and 26 days, respectively. In the second stage, fish reared at 13 °C (481.8 ± 54.3 g) and 17 °C (597.3 ± 64.3 g) were fasted for 42 and 41 days respectively. At the third stage, fish were reared only at 17 °C (1065.7 ± 190.9 g) and fasted for 42 days. At the end of each fasting period performance, fillet and whole-body proximal composition, and whole-body fatty acid profile were compared among fish before and after fasting. Additionally, fillet fatty acid daily loss was compared in fasted fish from different treatments. The results showed that body weight was not significantly impacted by fasting. However, at 17 °C fasting at all three stages had a negative impact on fillet weight and total fatty acid daily loss. With few exceptions, saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids from n-6 series (n-6 PUFA) were preserved in fillet of fish at 17 °C, while higher daily losses of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and consequently polyunsaturated from n-3 series (n-3 PUFA) were observed in these same fish and in smaller fish at 13 °C. The results presented in this study provide important information regarding the influence of fasting and temperature on chinook salmon performance and metabolism, providing basis for future nutritional and compositional studies for this important commercial species.

High-protein and low-calorie diets improved the anti-aging Klotho protein in the rats' brain: the toxic role of high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

In the current study, our specific aim was to characterize the Klotho protein and expression levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of old rats treated with different diets (high-fat, high-protein, low-calorie, high-protein and low-calorie).

METHODS

Rats were treated with high-fat, high-protein, low-calorie, low-calorie high-protein diets for 10 weeks and then behavioral and molecular assessments were evaluated.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed the percentage of open arm time was increased in the high-protein, low-calorie and low-calorie high-protein groups compared with old control (old-C) rats. The percentage of open arm entries was increased in the low-calorie and low-calorie high-protein group compared with old-C rats. The body weight and serum triglyceride were decreased in the low-calorie and low-calorie high-protein groups in comparison to control old rats. Low-calorie and low-calorie high-protein treatments statistically enhanced caspase-3 level compared with old-C rats in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Treatment of old rats with high-protein, low-calorie and low-calorie high-protein could increase Klotho-α level compared with control old rats. The levels of Klotho-α, c-fos and brain-derived neurotrophic factors were decreased in the low-calorie high-protein group in Klotho inhibitor's presence compared with the low-calorie high-protein group.

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, Klotho-α level was reduced in old rats. Low-calorie, high-protein and particularly low-calorie high-protein diets increased this protein level and consequently increased neuronal plasticity and improved memory function.

GRAPHIC ABSTRACT

Vitamin D3 affects innate immune status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

The effects of vitamin D₃ dietary administration on certain innate immune parameters on the expression of immune-related genes in head-kidney (HK) and gut were investigated in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Vitamin D₃ (vD₃) was orally administered to fish in a commercial pellet food supplemented with 0 (control); 3750; 18,750; or 37,500 U kg^-1. Furthermore, gut histology was considered. This study showed a modulation in the activities examined in fish fed with the addition of vD₃. After just 2 weeks of administration, diet supplementation with the vitamin resulted in increased phagocytic ability, while serum peroxidase content was increased in fish fed with all experimental diets after 4 weeks, no significant differences were observed in protease, anti-protease, natural haemolytic complement activities and total IgM level. At gene level, fbl and rbl transcripts were up-regulated in HK in fish fed with the highest concentration of vD₃-supplemented diets after 4 weeks, while in the gut, an up-regulation of hep gene was observed in fish fed with the different doses of vD₃. These results suggest that vD₃ may be of great interest for immunostimulatory purposes in fish farms.

The Omega-3 Index as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

The Omega-3 Index has been defined as eicosapentaenoic plus docosahexaenoic acids in erythrocytes. Integral part of the definition is a standardized analytical procedure, which conforms to the standards of Clinical Chemistry. This resulted in more than 90 collaborative research projects, concluded and ongoing, and 64 publications so far. The Omega-3 Index is emerging as a risk factor for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. This standardized analysis of fatty acid patterns adds incremental information to standard risk factor algorithms, and it correctly reclassifies persons from intermediate to high or low risk. Circumstantial evidence indicates that determining the Omega-3 Index has a therapeutic consequence. Thus, the Omega-3 Index fulfils important criteria for novel biomarkers, set forth by the American Heart Association and others, and compares well to other novel biomarkers. Future results will add precision to the value of the Omega-3 Index in cardiology, and probably expand its application to other areas, like psychiatry and pregnancy.