Regulation of protein degradation pathways by amino acids and insulin in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs

Invited review: Muscle protein breakdown and its assessment in periparturient dairy cows

Mobilization of body reserves including fat, protein, and glycogen is necessary to overcome phases of negative nutrient balance typical for high-yielding dairy cows during the periparturient period. Skeletal muscle, the largest internal organ in mammals, plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. However, unlike in liver and adipose tissue, the metabolic and regulatory role of skeletal muscle in the adaptation of dairy cows to the physiological needs of pregnancy and lactation has not been studied extensively. The functional integrity and quality of skeletal muscle are maintained through a constant turnover of protein, resulting from both protein breakdown and protein synthesis. Thus, muscle protein breakdown (MPB) and synthesis are intimately connected and tightly controlled to ensure proper protein homeostasis. Understanding the regulation of MPB, the catabolic component of muscle turnover, and its assessment are therefore important considerations to provide information about the timing and extent of tissue mobilization in periparturient dairy cows. Based on animal models and human studies, it is now evident that MPB occurs via the integration of 3 main systems: autophagy-lysosomal, calpain Ca²⁺-dependent cysteine proteases, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. These 3 main systems are interconnected and do not work separately, and the regulation is complex. The ubiquitin-proteasomal system is the most well-known cellular proteolytic system and plays a fundamental role in muscle physiology. Complete degradation of a protein often requires a combination of the systems, depending on the physiological situation. Determination of MPB in dairy cows is technically challenging, resulting in a relative dearth of information. The methods for assessing MPB can be divided into either direct or indirect measurements, both having their strengths and limitations. Available information on the direct measures of MPB primarily comes from stable isotopic tracer methods and those of indirect measurements from assessing expression and activity measures of the components of the 3 MPB systems in muscle biopsy samples. Other indirect approaches (i.e., potential indicators of MPB), including ultrasound imaging and measuring metabolites from muscle degradation (i.e., 3-methylhistidine and creatinine), seem to be applicable methods and can provide useful information about the extent and timing of MPB. This review presents our current understanding, including methodological considerations, of the process of MPB in periparturient dairy cows.

L-arginine alters myogenic genes expression but does not affect breast muscle characteristics by in ovo feeding technique in slow-growing chickens

In ovo feeding (IOF) of nutrients is a viable method for increasing muscle mass through hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of IOF of L-arginine (Arg) on breast muscle weight, muscle morphology, amino acid profile, and gene expression of muscle development in slow-growing chickens. Four hundred eighty fertilized eggs were randomly divided into two groups: the first group was the non-injected control group, and the second group was the Arg group, injected with 1% Arg (0.5 mL) into the amnion on day 18 of incubation. After hatching, 160 birds from each group were randomly divided into four replicates of 40 birds each. This experiment lasted for 63 days. The results showed that IOF of Arg did not affect (P > 0.05) breast muscle weight, muscle morphology, and mRNA expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in slow-growing chickens. However, the amino acid profile of breast muscle was altered (P < 0.05) on the day of hatching (DOH), day 21 (D21), and day 42 (D42) post-hatch, respectively. Myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) mRNA expression was upregulated (P < 0.05) on D21 post-hatch. Myogenic regulator 4 (MRF4) mRNA expression was increased (P < 0.05) on DOH. And myogenin (MyoG) was increased (P < 0.05) on DOH and D21 post-hatch, in the Arg group compared to the control group. Overall, IOF of 1% Arg improved the expression of myogenic genes but did not influence muscle morphology and BMW. These results indicate that in ovo Arg dosage (0.5 mL/egg) has no adverse effect on breast muscle development of slow-growing chickens.

Autophagy in farm animals: current knowledge and future challenges

Autophagy (a process of cellular self-eating) is a conserved cellular degradative process that plays important roles in maintaining homeostasis and preventing nutritional, metabolic, and infection-mediated stresses. Surprisingly, little attention has been paid to the role of this cellular function in species of agronomical interest, and the details of how autophagy functions in the development of phenotypes of agricultural interest remain largely unexplored. Here, we first provide a brief description of the main mechanisms involved in autophagy, then review our current knowledge regarding autophagy in species of agronomical interest, with particular attention to physiological functions supporting livestock animal production, and finally assess the potential of translating the acquired knowledge to improve animal development, growth and health in the context of growing social, economic and environmental challenges for agriculture.Abbreviations: AKT: AKT serine/threonine kinase; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ASC: adipose-derived stem cells; ATG: autophagy-related; BECN1: beclin 1; BNIP3: BCL2 interacting protein 3; BVDV: bovine viral diarrhea virus; CALCOCO2/NDP52: calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2; CMA: chaperone-mediated autophagy; CTSB: cathepsin B; CTSD: cathepsin D; DAP: Death-Associated Protein; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; GFP: green fluorescent protein; Gln: Glutamine; HSPA8/HSC70: heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 8; IF: immunofluorescence; IVP: in vitro produced; LAMP2A: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2A; LMS: lysosomal membrane stability; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MDBK: Madin-Darby bovine kidney; MSC: mesenchymal stem cells; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; MTORC1: MTOR complex 1; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; NDV: Newcastle disease virus; NECTIN4: nectin cell adhesion molecule 4; NOD1: nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1; OCD: osteochondritis dissecans; OEC: oviduct epithelial cells; OPTN: optineurin; PI3K: phosphoinositide-3-kinase; PPRV: peste des petits ruminants virus; RHDV: rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TEM: transmission electron microscopy.

Serum biochemical parameters and amino acids metabolism are altered in piglets by early-weaning and proline and putrescine supplementations

The study was to investigate the effect of early-weaning stress and proline (Pro) and putrescine (Put) supplementations on serum biochemical parameters and amino acids (AA) metabolism in suckling and post-weaning pigs. Blood and small intestinal mucosa were harvested from suckling piglets at 1, 7, 14, and 21 d of age and piglets on d 1, 3, 5, and 7 after weaning at 14 d of age, as well as from piglets received oral administration of Pro and Put from 1 to 14 d old. In suckling piglets, the serum glucose, albumin and total cholesterol levels were increased (P < 0.05) with increasing age, whereas the serum globulin, urea nitrogen (BUN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were lowered (P < 0.05). The concentrations of most serum AA and the AA transporters related gene expressions were highest in 7-d-old piglets (P < 0.05), whereas the phosphorylation status of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the small intestine increased in piglets from 1 to 21 d old (P < 0.05). Weaning at 14 d old increased (P < 0.05) the BUN and triglycerides levels in serum, as well as jejunal solute carrier family 7 member 6 (SLC7A6), ileal SLC36A1 and SLC1A1 mRNA abundances at d 1 or 3 post-weaning. Weaning also inhibited (P < 0.05) the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and its downstream ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and 4E-binding protein-1 (4EBP1) in the small intestine of weanling pigs. Oral administration of Put and Pro decreased (P < 0.05) serum ALP levels and increased (P < 0.05) intestinal SLC36A1 and SLC1A1 mRNA abundances and mTOR pathway phosphorylation levels in post-weaning pigs. Pro but not Put treatment enhanced (P < 0.05) serum Pro, arginine (Arg) and glutamine (Gln) concentrations of weaning-pigs. These findings indicated that early-weaning dramatically altered the biochemical blood metabolites, AA profile and intestinal mTOR pathway activity, and Pro and Put supplementations improved the AA metabolism and transportation as well as activated the intestinal mTOR pathway in weanling-pigs. Our study has an important implication for the broad application of Pro and Put in the weaning transition of piglets.

Direct Conjugation of NEDD8 to the N-Terminus of a Model Protein Can Induce Degradation

While the role of ubiquitin in protein degradation is well established, the role of other ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) in protein degradation is less clear. Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 8 (NEDD8) is the UBL with the highest level of amino acids identified when compared to ubiquitin. Here we tested if the N-terminal addition of NEDD8 to a protein of interest could lead to degradation. Mutation of critical glycine residues required for normal NEDD8 processing resulted in a non-cleavable fusion protein that was rapidly degraded within the cells by both the proteasome and autophagy. Both degradation pathways were dependent on a functional ubiquitin-conjugation system as treatment with MLN7243 increased levels of non-cleavable NEDD8-GFP. The degradation of non-cleavable, N-terminal NEDD8-GFP was not due to a failure of GFP folding as different NEDD8-GFP constructs with differing abilities to fold and fluoresce were similarly degraded. Though the fusion of NEDD8 to a protein resulted in degradation, treatment of cells with MLN4924, an inhibitor of the E1 activating enzyme for NEDD8, failed to prevent degradation of other destabilized substrates. Taken together these data suggest that under certain conditions, such as the model system described here, the covalent linkage of NEDD8 to a protein substrate may result in the target proteins degradation.

Prematurity blunts the insulin- and amino acid-induced stimulation of translation initiation and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs

Extrauterine growth restriction in premature infants is largely attributed to reduced lean mass accretion and is associated with long-term morbidities. Previously, we demonstrated that prematurity blunts the feeding-induced stimulation of translation initiation signaling and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs. The objective of the current study was to determine whether the blunted feeding response is mediated by reduced responsiveness to insulin, amino acids, or both. Pigs delivered by cesarean section preterm (PT; 103 days, n = 25) or at term (T; 112 days, n = 26) were subject to euinsulinemic-euaminoacidemic-euglycemic (FAST), hyperinsulinemic-euaminoacidemic-euglycemic (INS), or euinsulinemic-hyperaminoacidemic-euglycemic (AA) clamps four days after delivery. Indices of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling and fractional protein synthesis rates were measured after 2 h. Although longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle protein synthesis increased in response to both INS and AA, the increase was 28% lower in PT than in T. Upstream of mTORC1, Akt phosphorylation, an index of insulin signaling, was increased with INS but was 40% less in PT than in T. The abundances of mTOR·RagA and mTOR·RagC, indices of amino acid signaling, increased with AA but were 25% less in PT than in T. Downstream of mTORC1, eIF4E·eIF4G abundance was increased by both INS and AA but attenuated by prematurity. These results suggest that preterm birth blunts both insulin- and amino acid-induced activation of mTORC1 and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, thereby limiting the anabolic response to feeding. This anabolic resistance likely contributes to the high prevalence of extrauterine growth restriction in prematurity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Extrauterine growth faltering is a major complication of premature birth, but the underlying cause is poorly understood. Our results demonstrate that preterm birth blunts both the insulin-and amino acid-induced activation of mTORC1-dependent translation initiation and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, thereby limiting the anabolic response to feeding. This anabolic resistance likely contributes to the reduced accretion of lean mass and extrauterine growth restriction of premature infants.

Potential Role of Amino Acids in the Adaptation of Chicks and Market-Age Broilers to Heat Stress

Increased average air temperatures and more frequent and prolonged periods of high ambient temperature (HT) associated with global warming will increasingly affect worldwide poultry production. It is thus important to understand how HT impacts poultry physiology and to identify novel approaches to facilitate improved adaptation and thereby maximize poultry growth, health and welfare. Amino acids play a role in many physiological functions, including stress responses, and their relative demand and metabolism are altered tissue-specifically during exposure to HT. For instance, HT decreases plasma citrulline (Cit) in chicks and leucine (Leu) in the embryonic brain and liver. The physiological significance of these changes in amino acids may involve protection of the body from heat stress. Thus, numerous studies have focused on evaluating the effects of dietary administration of amino acids. It was found that oral l-Cit lowered body temperature and increased thermotolerance in layer chicks. When l-Leu was injected into fertile broiler eggs to examine the cause of reduction of Leu in embryos exposed to HT, in ovo feeding of l-Leu improved thermotolerance in broiler chicks. In ovo injection of l-Leu was also found to inhibit weight loss in market-age broilers exposed to chronic HT, giving rise to the possibility of developing a novel biotechnology aimed at minimizing the economic losses to poultry producers during summer heat stress. These findings and the significance of amino acid metabolism in chicks and market-age broilers under HT are summarized and discussed in this review.

Leucine Improved Growth Performance, Muscle Growth, and Muscle Protein Deposition Through AKT/TOR and AKT/FOXO3a Signaling Pathways in Hybrid Catfish Pelteobagrus vachelli × Leiocassis longirostris

(1) Background: l-leucine (Leu) plays a positive role in regulating protein turnover in skeletal muscle in mammal. However, the molecular mechanism for the effects of Leu on muscle growth and protein deposition is not clearly demonstrated in fish. This study investigated the effects of dietary Leu on growth performance and muscle growth, protein synthesis, and degradation-related signaling pathways of hybrid catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli♀ × Leiocassis longirostris♂). (2) Methods: A total of 630 hybrid catfish (23.19 ± 0.20 g) were fed 6 different experimental diets containing graded levels of Leu at 10.0 (control), 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 30.0, 35.0, and 40.0 g Leu kg^-1 for 8 weeks. (3) Results: Results showed that dietary Leu increased percent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate (SGR), FI (feed intake), feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), muscle fibers diameter, and muscle fibers density; up-regulated insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), myogenic regulation factors (MyoD, Myf5, MyoG, and Mrf4), and MyHC mRNA levels; increased muscle protein synthesis via regulating the AKT/TOR signaling pathway; and attenuated protein degradation via regulating the AKT/FOXO3a signaling pathway. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that Leu has potential role to improve muscle growth and protein deposition in fish, which might be due to the regulation of IGF mRNA expression, muscle growth related gene, and protein synthesis and degradation-related signaling pathways. Based on the broken-line model, the Leu requirement of hybrid catfish (23.19-54.55 g) for PWG was estimated to be 28.10 g kg^-1 of the diet (73.04 g kg^-1 of dietary protein). These results will improve our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for muscle growth and protein deposition effects of Leu in fish.

Proteasome activity and expression of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling factors in skeletal muscle of dairy cows supplemented with conjugated linoleic acids during early lactation

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a major regulator of protein synthesis via its main downstream effectors, ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein (4EBP1). The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main proteolytic pathway in muscle, and the muscle-specific ligases tripartite motif containing 63 (TRIM63; also called muscle-specific ring-finger protein 1, MuRF-1) and F-box only protein 32 (FBXO32; also called atrogin-1) are important components of the UPS. We investigated 20S proteasome activity and mRNA expression of key components of mTOR signaling and UPS in skeletal muscle of dairy cows during late gestation and early lactation and tested the effects of dietary supplementation (from d 1 in milk) with conjugated linoleic acids (sCLA; 100 g/d; n = 11) compared with control fat-supplemented cows (CTR; n = 10). Blood and muscle tissue (semitendinosus) samples were collected on d -21, 1, 21, and 70 relative to parturition. Dry matter intake increased with time of lactation in both groups. It was lower in sCLA than in CTR on d 21, which resulted in a reduced calculated metabolizable protein balance. Most serum and muscle concentrations of AA followed time-related changes but were unaffected by CLA supplementation. In both groups, serum and muscle 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) concentrations and the ratio of 3-MH:creatinine increased from d -21 to d 1, followed by a decline on d 21. The mRNA abundance of MTOR on d 21 and 70 was greater in sCLA than in CTR. The abundance of 4EBP1 mRNA did not differ between groups but was upregulated in both on d 1. The mRNA abundance of S6K1 on d 70 was greater in CTR than in sCLA, but remained unchanged over time in both groups. The mRNA abundance of FBXO32 (encoding atrogin-1) on d 21 was greater in sCLA than in CTR. The mRNA abundance of TRIM63 (also known as MuRF1) showed a similar pattern as FBXO32 in both groups: an increase from d -21 to d 1, followed by a decline. The mRNA for the α (BCKDHA) and β (BCKDHB) polypeptide of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase was elevated in sCLA and CTR cows on d 21, respectively, suggesting a role of CLA in determining the metabolic fate of branched-chain AA. For the mTOR protein, no group differences were observed. The abundance of S6K1 protein was greater across all time points in sCLA versus CTR. The antepartum 20S proteasome activity in muscle was elevated in both groups compared with postpartum, probably reflecting the start of protein mobilization before parturition. Plasma insulin concentrations decreased in both groups postpartum but to a greater extent in CTR than in sCLA, resulting in greater insulin concentrations in sCLA than in CTR. Thus, the greater abundance of MTOR mRNA and S6K1 protein in sCLA compared with CTR might be mediated by the greater plasma insulin postpartum. The upregulation of MTOR mRNA in sCLA cows on d 21, despite greater FBXO32 mRNA abundance, may reflect a simultaneous activation of both anabolic and catabolic signaling pathways, likely resulting in greater protein turnover.

Prematurity blunts the feeding-induced stimulation of translation initiation signaling and protein synthesis in muscle of neonatal piglets

Postnatal growth of lean mass is commonly blunted in preterm infants and may contribute to short- and long-term morbidities. To determine whether preterm birth alters the protein anabolic response to feeding, piglets were delivered at term or preterm, and fractional protein synthesis rates (K_s) were measured at 3 days of age while fasted or after an enteral meal. Activation of signaling pathways that regulate protein synthesis and degradation were determined. Relative body weight gain was lower in preterm than in term. Gestational age at birth (GAB) did not alter fasting plasma glucose or insulin, but when fed, plasma insulin and glucose rose more slowly, and reached peak value later, in preterm than in term. Feeding increased K_s in longissimus dorsi (LD) and gastrocnemius muscles, heart, pancreas, and kidney in both GAB groups, but the response was blunted in preterm. In diaphragm, lung, jejunum, and brain, feeding increased K_s regardless of GAB. Liver K_s was greater in preterm than term and increased with feeding regardless of GAB. In all tissues, changes in 4EBP1, S6K1, and PKB phosphorylation paralleled changes in K_s. In LD, eIF4E·eIF4G complex formation, phosphorylation of TSC2, mTOR, and rpS6, and association of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR1) complex with RagA, RagC, and Rheb were increased by feeding and blunted by prematurity. There were no differences among groups in LD protein degradation markers. Our results demonstrate that preterm birth reduces weight gain and the protein synthetic response to feeding in muscle, pancreas, and kidney, and this is associated with blunted insulin- and/or amino acid-induced translation initiation signaling.

Mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and ubiquitin-proteasome-related gene expression in skeletal muscle of dairy cows with high or normal body condition score around calving

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of overconditioning around calving on gene expression of key components of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in skeletal muscle as well as the AA profiles in both serum and muscle of periparturient cows. Fifteen weeks antepartum, 38 multiparous Holstein cows were allocated to either a high body condition group (HBCS; n = 19) or a normal body condition group (NBCS; n = 19) and were fed different diets until dry-off (d -49 relative to calving) to amplify the difference. The groups were also stratified for comparable milk yields (NBCS: 10,361 ± 302 kg; HBCS: 10,315 ± 437 kg). At dry-off, the NBCS cows (parity: 2.42 ± 1.84; body weight: 665 ± 64 kg) had a body condition score (BCS) <3.5 and backfat thickness (BFT) <1.2 cm, whereas the HBCS cows (parity: 3.37 ± 1.67; body weight: 720 ± 57 kg) had a BCS >3.75 and BFT >1.4 cm. During the dry period and the subsequent lactation, both groups were fed identical diets but maintained the BCS and BFT differences. Blood samples and skeletal muscle biopsies (semitendinosus) were repeatedly (d -49, +3, +21, and +84 relative to calving) collected for assessing the concentrations of free AA and the mRNA abundance of various components of mTOR and UPS. The differences in BCS and BFT were maintained throughout the study. The circulating concentrations of most AA with the exception of Gly, Gln, Met, and Phe increased in early lactation in both groups. The serum concentrations of Ala (d +21 and +84) and Orn (d +84) were lower in HBCS cows than in NBCS cows, but those of Gly, His, Leu, Val, Lys, Met, and Orn on d -49 and Ile on d +21 were greater in HBCS cows than in NBCS cows. The serum concentrations of 3-methylhistidine, creatinine, and 3-methylhistidine:creatinine ratio increased after calving (d +3) but did not differ between the groups. The muscle concentrations of all AA (except for Cys) remained unchanged over time and did not differ between groups. The muscle concentrations of Cys were greater on d -49 but tended to be lower on d +21 in HBCS cows than in NBCS cows. On d +21, mTOR and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 mRNA abundance was greater in HBCS cows than in NBCS cows, whereas ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 was not different between the groups. The mRNA abundance of ubiquitin-activating enzyme 1 (d +21), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 1 (d +21), atrogin-1 (d +21), and ring finger protein-1 (d +3) enzymes was greater in HBCS cows than in NBCS cows, whereas ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2 was not different between the groups. The increased mRNA abundance of key components of mTOR signaling and of muscle-specific ligases of HBCS cows may indicate a simultaneous activation of anabolic and catabolic processes and thus increased muscle protein turnover, likely as a part of the adaptive response to prevent excessive loss of skeletal muscle mass during early lactation.

Regulation of Muscle Growth in Early Postnatal Life in a Swine Model

Skeletal muscle growth during the early postnatal period is rapid in the pig and dependent on the capacity of muscle to respond to anabolic and catabolic stimuli. Muscle mass is driven by the balance between protein synthesis and degradation. Among these processes, muscle protein synthesis in the piglet is exceptionally sensitive to the feeding-induced postprandial changes in insulin and amino acids, whereas muscle protein degradation is affected only during specific catabolic states. The developmental decline in the response of muscle to feeding is associated with changes in the signaling pathways located upstream and downstream of the mechanistic target of rapamycin protein complex. Additionally, muscle growth is supported by an accretion of nuclei derived from satellite cells. Activated satellite cells undergo proliferation, differentiation, and fusion with adjacent growing muscle fibers. Enhancing early muscle growth through modifying protein synthesis, degradation, and satellite cell activity is key to maximizing performance, productivity, and lifelong pig health.

Regulation of Autophagy in Chick Myotubes: Effects of Insulin, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, and Amino Acids

Autophagy, an intracellular bulk protein degradation system in skeletal muscle, is increased under catabolic conditions resulting in muscle atrophy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and amino acids on autophagy (LC3-II content and expression of autophagy-related genes) in chick myotubes. Chick myotubes were incubated with insulin (1 µg/ml), IGF-I (100 ng/ml), and amino acids for 3 h. The LC3-II content, an index of autophagosome formation, and mRNA expression of LC3B and GABARAPL1 were significantly decreased by insulin. The LC3-II content, but not mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes, was also significantly decreased by IGF-I. The LC3-II content and LC3B mRNA level were also significantly decreased by amino acids. The mRNA expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx, a muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase, was also significantly decreased by insulin, IGF-I, and amino acids in chick myotubes. These results indicated that insulin, IGF-I, and amino acids regulate autophagy as well as the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway in chick myotubes.

Betaine and arginine supplementation of low protein diets improves plasma lipids but does not affect hepatic fatty acid composition and related gene expression profiling in pigs

BACKGROUND

The individual and combined effects of betaine and arginine supplemented to reduced protein diets were investigated on plasma metabolites, hepatic fatty acid composition and mRNA levels of lipid-sensitive factors in commercial pigs. Betaine has previously been shown to reduce carcass fat deposition and arginine improves meat quality of finishing pigs. Forty male crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to one of five diets (n = 8): 160 g kg^-1 of crude protein (NPD), 130 g kg^-1 of crude protein (RPD), RPD with 3.3 g kg^-1 of betaine, RPD with 15 g kg^-1 of arginine, and RPD with 3.3 g kg^-1 of betaine and 15 g kg^-1 of arginine.

RESULTS

The restriction of dietary protein increased total lipids (P < 0.001), total cholesterol (P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001). Betaine and arginine, individually or combined, reduced the majority of plasma lipids (P < 0.05) without affecting total fatty acids in the liver and the overall gene expression pattern.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a positive effect of betaine and arginine, singly or combined, by reversing plasma lipids increase promoted by dietary protein restriction. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Succinate promotes skeletal muscle protein synthesis via Erk1/2 signaling pathway

It is well known that endurance training is effective to attenuate skeletal muscle atrophy. Succinate is a typical TCA metabolite, of which exercise could dramatically increase the content. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of succinate on protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, and try to delineate the underlying mechanism. The in vitro study revealed that succinate dose‑dependently increased protein synthesis in C2C12 myotube along with the enhancement of phosphorylation levels of AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1(Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin, S6, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E, 4E binding protein 1 and forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that 20 mM succinate markedly increased [Ca2+]i. Then, the phospho‑extracellular regulated kinase (Erk), ‑Akt level and the crosstalk between Erk and Akt were elevated in response to succinate. Notably, the Erk antagonist (U0126) or mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) abolished the effect of succinate on protein synthesis. The in vivo study verified that succinate dose‑dependently increased the protein synthesis, in addition to phosphorylation levels of Erk, Akt and FoxO3a in gastrocnemius muscle. In summary, these findings demonstrated that succinate promoted skeletal muscle protein deposition via Erk/Akt signaling pathway.

Arginine supplementation modulates pig plasma lipids, but not hepatic fatty acids, depending on dietary protein level with or without leucine

Background

In the present study, the effect of arginine and leucine supplementation, and dietary protein level, were investigated in commercial crossbred pigs to clarify their individual or combined impact on plasma metabolites, hepatic fatty acid composition and mRNA levels of lipid sensitive factors. The experiment was conducted on fifty-four entire male pigs (Duroc × Pietrain × Large White × Landrace crossbred) from 59 to 92 kg of live weight. Each pig was randomly assigned to one of six experimental treatments (n = 9). The treatments followed a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, providing two levels of arginine supplementation (0 vs. 1%) and three levels of basal diet (normal protein diet, NPD; reduced protein diet, RPD; reduced protein diet with 2% of leucine, RPDL).

Results

Significant interactions between arginine supplementation and protein level were observed across plasma lipids. While dietary arginine increased total lipids, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols in NPD, the inverse effect was observed in RPD. Overall, dietary treatments had a minor impact on hepatic fatty acid composition. RPD increased 18:1c9 fatty acid while the combination of leucine and RPD reduced 18:0 fatty acid. Arginine supplementation increased the gene expression of FABP1, which contributes for triacylglycerols synthesis without affecting hepatic fatty acids content. RPD, with or without leucine addition, upregulated the lipogenic gene CEBPA but downregulated the fat oxidation gene LPIN1.

Conclusions

Arginine supplementation was responsible for a modulated effect on plasma lipids, which is dependent on dietary protein level. It consistently increased lipaemia in NPD, while reducing the correspondent metabolites in RPD. In contrast, arginine had no major impact, neither on hepatic fatty acids content nor on fatty acid composition. Likewise, leucine supplementation of RPD, regardless the presence of arginine, promoted no changes on total fatty acids in the liver. Ultimately, arginine, leucine and dietary protein reduction seem to be unrelated with fatty liver development.

Plasma amino acids and metabolic profiling of dairy cows in response to a bolus duodenal infusion of leucine

Leucine (Leu), one of the three branch chain amino acids, acts as a signaling molecule in the regulation of overall amino acid (AA) and protein metabolism. Leucine is also considered to be a potent stimulus for the secretion of insulin from pancreatice β-cells. Our objective was to study the effects of a duodenal bolus infusion of Leu on insulin and glucagon secretion, on plasma AA concentrations, and to do a metabolomic profiling of dairy cows as compared to infusions with either glucose or saline. Six duodenum-fistulated Holstein cows were studied in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 7 days, in which the treatments were applied at the end of each period. The treatments were duodenal bolus infusions of Leu (DIL; 0.15 g/kg body weight), glucose (DIG; at Leu equimolar dosage) or saline (SAL). On the day of infusion, the treatments were duodenally infused after 5 h of fasting. Blood samples were collected at -15, 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 90, 120, 180, 210, 240 and 300 min relative to the start of infusion. Blood plasma was assayed for concentrations of insulin, glucagon, glucose and AA. The metabolome was also characterized in selected plasma samples (i.e. from 0, 50, and 120 min relative to the infusion). Body weight, feed intake, milk yield and milk composition were recorded throughout the experiment. The Leu infusion resulted in significant increases of Leu in plasma reaching 20 and 15-fold greater values than that in DIG and SAL, respectively. The elevation of plasma Leu concentrations after the infusion led to a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the plasma concentrations of isoleucine, valine, glycine, and alanine. In addition, the mean concentrations of lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine, and asparagine across all time-points in plasma of DIL cows were reduced (P<0.05) compared with the other groups. In contrast to the working hypothesis about an insulinotropic effect of Leu, the circulating concentrations of insulin were not affected by Leu. In DIG, insulin and glucose concentrations peaked at 30-40 and 40-50 min after the infusion, respectively. Insulin concentrations were greater (P<0.05) from 30-40 min in DIG than DIL and SAL, and glucose was elevated in DIG over DIL and SAL from 30-75 min and 40-50 min, respectively. Multivariate metabolomics data analysis (principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis) revealed a clear separation when the DIL cows were compared with the DIG and SAL cows at 50 and 120 min after the infusion. By using this analysis, several metabolites, mainly acylcarnitines, methionine sulfoxide and components from the kynurenine pathway were identified as the most relevant for separating the treatment groups. These results suggest that Leu regulates the plasma concentrations of branched-chain AA, and other AA, apparently by stimulating their influx into the cells from the circulation. A single-dose duodenal infusion of Leu did not elicit an apparent insulin response, but affected multiple intermediary metabolic pathways including AA and energy metabolism by mechanisms yet to be elucidated.

Amino acids, independent of insulin, attenuate skeletal muscle autophagy in neonatal pigs during endotoxemia

BACKGROUND

Sepsis induces loss of skeletal muscle mass by activating the ubiquitin proteasome (UPS) and autophagy systems. Although muscle protein synthesis in healthy neonatal piglets is responsive to amino acids (AA) stimulation, it is not known if AA can prevent the activation of muscle protein degradation induced by sepsis. We hypothesize that AA attenuate the sepsis-induced activation of UPS and autophagy in neonates.

METHODS

Newborn pigs were infused for 8 h with liposaccharide (LPS) (0 and 10 μg·kg(-1)·h(-1)), while circulating glucose and insulin were maintained at fasting levels; circulating AA were clamped at fasting or fed levels. Markers of protein degradation and AA transporters in longissimus dorsi (LD) were examined.

RESULTS

Fasting AA increased muscle microtubule-associated protein light 1 chain 3 II (LC3-II) abundance in LPS compared to control, while fed AA levels decreased LC3-II abundance in both LPS and controls. There was no effect of AA supplementation on activated protein kinase (AMP), forkhead box O1 and O4 phosphorylation, nor on sodium-coupled neutral AA transporter 2 and light chain AA transporter 1, muscle RING-finger protein-1 and muscle Atrophy F-Box/Atrogin-1 abundance.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that supplementation of AA antagonize autophagy signal activation in skeletal muscle of neonates during endotoxemia.

The IGF-1/Akt/S6 Signaling Pathway is Age-Dependently Downregulated in the Chicken Breast Muscle

The skeletal muscle mass is known to be controlled by the balance between protein synthesis and degradation. The fractional rate of protein synthesis has been reported to decrease age-dependently from 1 to 4 weeks of age in the chicken breast muscle (pectoralis major muscle). On the other hand, age-dependent change of the fractional protein degradation rate was reported to be less in the skeletal muscle of chickens. These findings suggest that protein synthesis is age-dependently downregulated in chicken muscle. We herein investigated the age-dependent changes in protein synthesis or proteolysis-related factors in the breast muscle of 7, 14, 28, and 49-day old broiler chickens. IGF-1 mRNA level, phosphorylation rate of Akt, and phospho-S6 content were coordinately decreased in an age-dependent manner, suggesting that IGF-1-stimulated protein synthesis is downregulated with age in chicken breast muscle. In contrast, atrogin-1, one of the proteolysis-related factors, gradually increased with age at mRNA levels. However, plasma N^τ-methylhistidine concentration, an indicator of skeletal muscle proteolysis, did not coordinately change with atrogin-1 mRNA levels. Taken together, our results suggest that the IGF-1/Akt/S6 signaling pathway is age-dependently downregulated in the chicken breast muscle.

Mechanisms of protein balance in skeletal muscle

Increased global demand for adequate protein nutrition against a backdrop of climate change and concern for animal agriculture sustainability necessitates new and more efficient approaches to livestock growth and production. Anabolic growth is achieved when rates of new synthesis exceed turnover, producing a positive net protein balance. Conversely, deterioration or atrophy of lean mass is a consequence of a net negative protein balance. During early life and periods of growth, muscle mass is driven by increases in protein synthesis at the level of mRNA translation. Throughout life, muscle mass is further influenced by degradative processes such as autophagy and the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Multiple signal transduction networks guide and coordinate these processes alongside quality control mechanisms to maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Genetics, hormones, and environmental stimuli each influence proteostasis control, altering capacity and/or efficiency of muscle growth. An overview of recent findings and current methods to assess muscle protein balance and proteostasis is presented. Current efforts to identify novel control points have the potential through selective breeding design or development of hormetic strategies to better promote growth and health span during environmental stress.

Alpha-ketoglutarate promotes skeletal muscle hypertrophy and protein synthesis through Akt/mTOR signaling pathways

Skeletal muscle weight loss is accompanied by small fiber size and low protein content. Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) participates in protein and nitrogen metabolism. The effect of AKG on skeletal muscle hypertrophy has not yet been tested, and its underlying mechanism is yet to be determined. In this study, we demonstrated that AKG (2%) increased the gastrocnemius muscle weight and fiber diameter in mice. Our in vitro study also confirmed that AKG dose increased protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes, which could be effectively blocked by the antagonists of Akt and mTOR. The effects of AKG on skeletal muscle protein synthesis were independent of glutamate, its metabolite. We tested the expression of GPR91 and GPR99. The result demonstrated that C2C12 cells expressed GPR91, which could be upregulated by AKG. GPR91 knockdown abolished the effect of AKG on protein synthesis but failed to inhibit protein degradation. These findings demonstrated that AKG promoted skeletal muscle hypertrophy via Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, GPR91 might be partially attributed to AKG-induced skeletal muscle protein synthesis.

Catabolism and safety of supplemental L-arginine in animals

L-arginine (Arg) is utilized via multiple pathways to synthesize protein and low-molecular-weight bioactive substances (e.g., nitric oxide, creatine, and polyamines) with enormous physiological importance. Furthermore, Arg regulates cell signaling pathways and gene expression to improve cardiovascular function, augment insulin sensitivity, enhance lean tissue mass, and reduce obesity in humans. Despite its versatile roles, the use of Arg as a dietary supplement is limited due to the lack of data to address concerns over its safety in humans. Data from animal studies are reviewed to assess arginine catabolism and the safety of long-term Arg supplementation. The arginase pathway was responsible for catabolism of 76-85 and 81-96 % Arg in extraintestinal tissues of pigs and rats, respectively. Dietary supplementation with Arg-HCl or the Arg base [315- and 630-mg Arg/(kg BW d) for 91 d] had no adverse effects on male or female pigs. Similarly, no safety issues were observed for male or female rats receiving supplementation with 1.8- and 3.6-g Arg/(kg BW d) for at least 91 d. Intravenous administration of Arg-HCl to gestating sheep at 81 and 180 mg Arg/(kg BW d) is safe for at least 82 and 40 d, respectively. Animals fed conventional diets can well tolerate large amounts of supplemental Arg [up to 630-mg Arg/(kg BW d) in pigs or 3.6-g Arg/(kg BW d) in rats] for 91 d, which are equivalent to 573-mg Arg/(kg BW d) for humans. Collectively, these results can help guide studies to determine the safety of long-term oral administration of Arg in humans.

Hypertrophy-Promoting Effects of Leucine Supplementation and Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Pre-Senescent Mice

Several studies have indicated a positive influence of leucine supplementation and aerobic training on the aging skeletal muscle signaling pathways that control muscle protein balance and muscle remodeling. However, the effect of a combined intervention requires further clarification. Thirteen month old CD-1^® mice were subjected to moderate aerobic exercise (45 min swimming per day with 3% body weight workload) and fed a chow diet with 5% leucine or 3.4% alanine for 8 weeks. Serum and plasma were prepared for glucose, urea nitrogen, insulin and amino acid profile analysis. The white gastrocnemius muscles were used for determination of muscle size and signaling proteins involved in protein synthesis and degradation. The results show that both 8 weeks of leucine supplementation and aerobic training elevated the activity of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and its downstream target p70S6K and 4E-BP1, inhibited the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and increased fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) in white gastrocnemius muscle. Moreover, leucine supplementation in combination with exercise demonstrated more significant effects, such as greater CSA, protein content and altered phosphorylation (suggestive of increased activity) of protein synthesis signaling proteins, in addition to lower expression of proteins involved in protein degradation compared to leucine or exercise alone. The current study shows moderate aerobic training combined with 5% leucine supplementation has the potential to increase muscle size in fast-twitch skeletal muscle during aging, potentially through increased protein synthesis and decreased protein breakdown.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of longissimus muscle from growing pigs with dietary supplementation of non-starch polysaccharide enzymes

Non-starch polysaccharide enzymes (NSPEs) have long been used in the feed production of monogastric animals to degrade non-starch polysaccharide to oligosaccharides and promote growth performance. However, few studies have been conducted on the effect of such enzymes on skeletal muscle in monogastric animals. To elucidate the mechanism of the effect of NSPEs on skeletal muscle, an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) for differential proteomic quantitation was applied to investigate alterations in the proteome in the longissimus muscle (LM) of growing pigs after a 50-d period of supplementation with 0.6% NSPEs in the diet. A total of 51 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the LM between a control group and the NSPE group. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed protein species showed an increased abundance of proteins related to energy production, protein synthesis, muscular differentiation, immunity, oxidation resistance and detoxification, and a decreased abundance of proteins related to inflammation in the LM of the pigs fed NSPEs. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms whereby dietary supplementation with NSPEs enzymes can promote growth performance and improve muscular metabolism in growing pigs.

A physiological increase in insulin suppresses muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase gene activation in fetal sheep with sustained hypoglycemia

Decreased glucose transfer to the fetus is characteristic of pregnancies complicated by maternal under nutrition and placental insufficiency. Chronic experimental restriction of glucose transfer to the sheep fetus for the final 40% of gestation with a maternal insulin infusion (HG fetuses) results in fetal hypoglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and decreased rates of fetal growth and protein accretion compared to controls (CON). Lower rates of fetal protein accretion are due to increased fetal protein breakdown and not decreased protein synthesis. However, the specific skeletal muscle pathways responsible for increased protein breakdown have not been determined. Nor has it been determined if low fetal glucose or insulin concentrations are more important for regulating these skeletal muscle protein breakdown pathways. We tested whether chronic restriction of glucose transfer to the fetus increased the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway or autophagy-lysosome pathway in fetal sheep skeletal muscle and found no evidence for an increase in the autophagy-lysosome pathway. However, HG fetuses had increase mRNA expression of MaFBx1 (twofold, P < 0.01) and a trend for increased mRNA expression of MuRF1 (P = 0.08) compared to CON. A subset of chronically hypoglycemic fetuses received an isoglycemic insulin infusion for the final 7 days of the maternal insulin infusion (HG + INS fetuses) and had MaFBx1 and MuRF1 mRNA concentrations similar to CON fetuses. These results demonstrate that fetuses exposed to sustained hypoglycemia have decreased protein accretion due to activation of the skeletal muscle ubiquitin-proteosome pathway and that a fetal hyperinsulinemic clamp can suppress this pathway even in the context of continued hypoglycemia.