Effect of methionine on the fatty acid composition of cellular membranes in rats with chronic ethanol consumption and jejunoileal bypass

Rumen-protected methionine supplementation alters lipid profile of preimplantation embryo and endometrial tissue of Holstein cows

Our objective is to evaluate the effects of feeding rumen-protected Met (RPM) throughout the transition period and early lactation on the lipid profile of the preimplantation embryos and the endometrial tissue of Holstein cows. Treatments consisted of feeding a total mixed ration with top-dressed RPM (Smartamine® M, Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA, United States; MET; n = 11; RPM at a rate of 0.08% of DM: Lys:Met = 2.8:1) or not (CON; n = 9, Lys:Met = 3.5:1). Endometrial biopsies were performed at 15, 30, and 73 days in milk (DIM). Prior to the endometrial biopsy at 73 DIM, preimplantation embryos were harvested via flushing. Endometrial lipid profiles were analyzed using multiple reaction monitoring-profiling and lipid profiles of embryos were acquired using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Relative intensities levels were used for principal component analysis. Embryos from cows in MET had greater concentration of polyunsaturated lipids than embryos from cows in CON. The endometrial tissue samples from cows in MET had lesser concentrations of unsaturated and monounsaturated lipids at 15 DIM, and greater concentration of saturated, unsaturated (specifically diacylglycerol), and monounsaturated (primarily ceramides) lipids at 30 DIM than the endometrial tissue samples from cows in CON. In conclusion, feeding RPM during the transition period and early lactation altered specific lipid classes and lipid unsaturation level of preimplantation embryos and endometrial tissue.

Effect of dietary combination of methionine and fish oil on cellular immunity and plasma fatty acids in infectious bursal disease challenged chickens

This study was carried out to investigate the modulatory effects of dietary methionine and fish oil on immune response, plasma fatty acid profile, and blood parameters of infectious bursal disease (IBD) challenged broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of six dietary treatment groups in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. There were three levels of fish oil (0, 2.5 and 5.5%), and two levels of methionine (NRC recommendation and twice NRC recommendation). The results showed that the birds fed with 5.5% fish oil had higher total protein, white blood cell count, and IL-2 concentration than those of other groups at 7 days after IBD challenge. Inclusion of fish oil in diet had no effect on IFN- γ concentration. However, supplementation of methionine twice the recommendation enhanced the serum IFN- γ and globulin concentration. Neither of fish oil nor methionine supplementation affected the liver enzymes concentration. It can be suggested that a balance of moderate level of fish oil (2.5%) and methionine level (twice NRC recommendation) might enhance immune response in IBD challenged broiler chickens.

Effect of glycine on tissue fatty acid composition in an experimental model of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the administration of glycine, a non-essential amino acid, on blood alcohol levels and tissue fatty acid composition in experimental rats. 2. Liver cell damage was induced by the administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg bodyweight) for 30 days by intragastric intubation. Control rats were given isocaloric glucose solution. Glycine was subsequently administered at a dose of 0.6 g/kg bodyweight every day by intragastric intubation for the next 30 days. 3. Feeding alcohol significantly elevated the activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and altered the liver and brain fatty acid composition compared with control rats. Subsequently, glycine supplementation to alcohol-fed rats significantly lowered the activities of serum AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and normalized the liver and brain fatty acid composition compared with untreated alcohol-fed rats. 4. Thus, the present study demonstrates that oral administration of glycine confers a significant protective effect against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity by virtue of its ability to optimize the activities of serum AST, ALT, ALP and GGT, as well as the tissue fatty acid composition.

Microarray gene analysis of the liver in a rat model of chronic, voluntary alcohol intake

The mechanisms underlying alcoholic liver disease are not fully understood. It has been established that alcohol interferes with transcriptional and translational regulatory steps of cell function. To understand such an effect, assessment of alcohol-induced changes in the simultaneous expression of a large number of genes may prove very useful. The purpose of the current study was to test a large number of genes ( approximately 8700) for possible changes in expression induced by alcohol alone or in addition to treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a putative mediator of alcohol effects on the liver. Male rats were fed an alcohol-containing liquid diet (Lieber-DeCarli) for 14-15 weeks, injected with Escherichia coli LPS (0.8 mg x kg(-1)), and killed 24 h later. Blood samples were taken for determination of plasma liver enzyme activity, and liver samples were obtained for histologic evaluation and total RNA extraction. Total RNA was analyzed for gene expression (Rat Toxicology U34 Array; Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Of 8740 genes on the microchip, 2259 were expressed in the liver. Seven hundred ninety-eight genes underwent significant changes induced by either alcohol or LPS, but listed in this article are only those that significantly increased or decreased expression twofold or more. The genes were assigned to functional groups and reviewed. Gene changes were discussed from two viewpoints: relevance to established hypotheses of alcohol and LPS mechanisms of action and revealing of novel mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver injury. Application of DNA microarray technology to the study of alcohol-induced liver injury generated novel theoretical and experimental approaches to alcohol-induced liver injury.