Cellularity and lipogenic enzyme activities of porcine intramuscular adipose tissue

ACAT2 Is a Novel Negative Regulator of Pig Intramuscular Preadipocytes Differentiation

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is considered as the fat deposited between muscle fibers. The extracellular matrix microenvironment of adipose tissue is of critical importance for the differentiation, remodeling and function of adipocytes. Therefore, in this study we extracted the muscle tissue centrifugal fluid (MTF) of the longissimus dorsi of Erhualian pigs to mimic the microenvironment of intramuscular pre-adipocytes. MTF of pigs with low intramuscular fat level can inhibit pig intramuscular pre-adipocytes differentiation. Then, proteomics technology (iTRAQ) was used to analyze the MTF with different IMF content, and it was found that individuals with high IMF had low ACAT2 (Acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferases 2) levels, while individuals with low IMF had high ACAT2 levels. Significant changes took place in the pathways involved in coenzyme A, which are closely related to fat and cholesterol metabolism. Therefore, we speculate that ACAT2, as an important element involved in cholesterol metabolism, may become a potential molecular marker for the mechanism of pig intramuscular preadipocytes differentiation. Overexpression of ACAT2 in pig intramuscular pre-adipocytes can inhibit their differentiation, while adding ACAT2 inhibitor avasimibe can rescue the process. Knockdown of srebp2 or ldlr, which are two key genes closely related to ACAT2 and cholesterol metabolism, can inhibit pig intramuscular pre-adipocytes differentiation. Overall, our results suggest that ACAT2 is a novel negative regulator of intramuscular adipocyte differentiation through regulation of pparγ, cebpα signaling and srebp2/ldlr signaling involved in cholesterol metabolism.

Muscle lipid metabolism in two rabbit lines divergently selected for intramuscular fat

A divergent selection experiment for intramuscular fat (IMF) of LM at 9 wk of age was performed in rabbits. The objective of this work was to compare the lipid metabolism in muscles and fat tissues of the high-IMF and low-IMF lines. Lipogenic, catabolic, and lipolytic activities were studied in 2 muscles with different oxidative patterns (LM and semimembranosus proprius) and in the perirenal fat depot at 2 ages, 9 and 13 wk. In addition, adipocytes were characterized in perirenal fat. In the fifth generation, direct response to selection was 0.26 g IMF/100 g muscle. Lines showed differences in their lipogenic activities of muscles and fat tissues at 13 wk but not at 9 wk. The high-IMF line showed greater glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malic enzyme (EM), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) activities in LM than the low-IMF line, with probabilities = 1.00, 0.93, and 0.90, respectively. Differences between lines were particularly great for G6PDH activity, representing 1.13 SD. The high-IMF line also showed greater G6PDH and FAS activities in semimembranosus proprius (P = 0.98 for G6PDH and 0.95 for FAS) and perirenal fat (P = 0.91 for G6PDH and 0.96 for FAS). However, in perirenal fat, EM activity was greater in the low-IMF line (P = 0.90). No differences between lines were found in almost any catabolic or lipolytic activities of muscles. Regarding adipocyte characteristics, the high-IMF line showed larger adipocytes in perirenal fat depot tissue (P = 0.97) compared to the low-IMF line, but no differences between lines were observed in the number of adipocytes. This study sheds light on the metabolic activities involved in the genetic differentiation of lipid deposition in rabbits. This study shows that lipogenic activities in muscles and fat tissues, in particular G6PDH in LM, are involved in the lipid accumulation in muscle and adipose tissues.

Muscle Conditional Medium Reduces Intramuscular Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipid Accumulation through Regulating Insulin Signaling

Due to the paracrine effects of skeletal muscle, the lipid metabolism of porcine intramuscular (i.m.) preadipocytes was different from that of subcutaneous (s.c.) preadipocytes. To investigate the development of i.m. preadipocytes in vivo, the s.c. preadipocytes were cultured with muscle conditional cultured medium (MCM) for approximating extracellular micro-environment of the i.m. preadipocytes. Insulin signaling plays a fundamental role in porcine adipocyte differentiation. The expression levels of insulin receptor (INSR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) in i.m. Preadipocytes were higher than that in s.c. preadipocytes. The effects of MCM on adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism and insulin signaling transdution were verified. MCM induced the apoptosis of s.c. preadipocytes but not of s.c. adipocytes. Moreover, MCM inhibited adipocyte differentiation at pre-differentiation and early stages of differentiation, while the expression levels of INSR and IGF-1R were increased. Furthermore, MCM treatment increased adipocyte lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation through induction of genes involved in lipolysis, thermogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria. Consistent with the above, treatment of s.c. adipocytes with MCM upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis. Taken together, MCM can approximate the muscle micro-environment and reduce intramuscular adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation via regulating insulin signaling.

A review of the factors influencing the development of intermuscular adipose tissue in the growing pig

Compared with subcutaneous or abdominal fat depots of pig carcasses, intermuscular fat displays a number of original properties. It cannot be easily removed from fresh or processed meat delivered to consumers and has therefore an influence on consumer acceptability of pork. Particular compositional characteristics of intermuscular fat include low lipid content and small size of adipocytes. How age (or body weight), gender, castration, environmental temperature, feeding restriction, diet composition, as well as genetic factors affect intermuscular fat development and composition are surveyed in this review paper. Up to now, few studies have specifically dealt with the intermuscular compartment of body fat while very abundant information is available on the subcutaneous one. As a general rule, any factor, either genetic or non-genetic, which causes a decrease of whole carcass fat deposition generates a higher relative importance of the intermuscular fraction of total fat as well as an increased degree of unsaturation of constituent fatty acids.

Skeletal muscle stem cells from animals I. Basic cell biology

Skeletal muscle stem cells from food-producing animals are of interest to agricultural life scientists seeking to develop a better understanding of the molecular regulation of lean tissue (skeletal muscle protein hypertrophy) and intramuscular fat (marbling) development. Enhanced understanding of muscle stem cell biology and function is essential for developing technologies and strategies to augment the metabolic efficiency and muscle hypertrophy of growing animals potentially leading to greater efficiency and reduced environmental impacts of animal production, while concomitantly improving product uniformity and consumer acceptance and enjoyment of muscle foods.

The comparative roles of polyunsaturated fatty acids in pig neonatal development

The present review focuses on the importance of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) provision for the normal development of the pig neonate. The review describes first the selected fatty acid composition of a range of porcine tissues including nervous tissues, muscle and adipose tissues, reproductive organs and immune-responsive organs and/or cells. The importance of PUFA to the functioning of the immune system of the neonate is considered briefly and is followed by an in-depth consideration of the sources of PUFA for the neonatal pig. The effects of different categories or specific types of fatty acid (i.e. non-essential, linoleic, α-linolenic, long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA) on various indices of pig neonatal growth are reviewed. The importance of n-3 PUFA supply to the fetal and early neonatal pig is underlined and evidence is presented for more attention to be given to the amounts available from maternal sources. Based on the material reviewed, recommendations are made on the dietary intake of PUFA in the gestating pig.

Lipid metabolism and secretory function of porcine intramuscular adipocytes compared with subcutaneous and perirenal adipocytes

The function of adipocytes interspersed between myofiber fasciculi in skeletal muscle physiology and physiopathology is poorly documented. Because regional differences in adipocyte features have been reported in various species, we hypothesized that lipid metabolism and secretory function of intramuscular (IM) adipocytes differ from that of nonmuscular adipocytes. In the present study, adipocytes isolated from trapezius muscle were compared with subcutaneous and perirenal adipocytes in growing pigs. Between 80 and 210 days of age, gene expressions and/or activities of enzymes involved in lipogenesis or lipolysis were much lower (P < 0.05) in adipocytes isolated from muscle than in those from other locations. Insulin-induced lipogenesis and lipolytic efficiency after catecholamine addition were also the lowest (P < 0.05) in IM adipocytes. In these cells, the age-related increase (+300%) in the ratio of mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase to hormone-sensitive lipase paralleled the enlargement of adipocyte diameters (+70%, P < 0.05) and the increase in lipid content in muscle (+135%, P < 0.05) during growth. Expressions of genes coding for leptin, adiponectin, and IGF-I, as well as for various hormonal receptors, were lower (P < 0.05) in IM adipocytes than in other adipocytes, whereas levels of TNF-alpha mRNA did not differ between sites. Interestingly, IGF-II mRNA levels were higher (P < 0.05) in IM adipocytes than in other adipocytes. These data support the view that IM fat is not just an ectopic extension of other fat locations but displays specific biological features during growth.

Restricted feed intake during fattening reduces intramuscular lipid deposition without modifying muscle fiber characteristics in rabbits

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of feed restriction during fattening on muscle fiber characteristics and intramuscular lipid traits. From 11 wk of age onward, rabbits were given free access to feed (control group), or received 70% of the control feed intake (restricted group). At the same weight at slaughter, restricted-fed rabbits were 3 wk older than controls (18 vs. 15 wk). The longissimus lumborum (LL, white loin), biceps femoris (BF, white thigh) and semimembranosus proprius (SMP, red thigh) muscles were then removed, and biochemical and histochemical assays were performed. In the three muscles, there was no effect of feed restriction on mean fiber size or percentage of the different fiber types. Restricted vs. control feeding resulted in a significant reduction (P<0.001) in total lipid content in all three muscles. This reduction was paralleled by a decline (P<0.001) in the activities of the malic enzyme and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), generating NADPH for the support of fatty acid synthesis. The diet-induced variations in lipid concentration and enzyme activities were larger (P<0.05) in the pure oxidative SMP muscle than in the predominantly fast-twitch glycolytic LL and BF muscles. Whatever feeding status, the ratio of malic enzyme to G6PDH activities was sharply lower (P<0.001) in SMP than in BF and LL muscles (averaging 1.5 vs. 9 and 15, respectively). These data indicate that nutritional status regulates intramuscular lipid deposition, without changing fiber-type composition. Further studies are necessary to determine the role of G6PDH in the lipogenic process of oxidative vs. glycolytic muscles.

Developmental changes in lipogenic enzymes in muscle compared to liver and extramuscular adipose tissues in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The developmental changes in the activities of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase, malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were compared in longissimus muscle, liver and adipose tissues in growing rabbits. Activities of lipogenic enzymes were low in muscle, as compared to the other tissues studied. The lipogenic activities in longissimus muscle increased with age. This increase was well correlated with the age-related increase in intramuscular lipid content, suggesting that intramuscular adipose tissue results from in situ lipid synthesis. During growth, each tissue displayed a specific developmental pattern for lipogenic enzyme activities. In liver and adipose tissues, the three lipogenic enzyme activities first increased and subsequently decreased, during the postweaning period. In the muscle, no such decrease was observed, suggesting that intramuscular adipose tissue develops later than the other tissues tested. Throughout postnatal period, the ratio of malic enzyme to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was reversed in muscle compared to other fat sites (5 vs 0.04). Further studies are necessary to determine the role of malic enzyme in rabbit intramuscular lipid metabolism.

Comparative study of in vitro lipogenesis in various adipose tissues in the growing domestic pig (Sus domesticus)

Activities of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase, malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase were measured in seven different anatomical sites in the growing pig (20-120 kg weight). The three enzyme activities increased up to 40-60 kg weight and then decreased, malic enzyme becoming the main producer of NADPH, irrespective of the adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue of the neck area was much thicker and exhibited much lower lipogenic enzyme activities than backfat. Subcutaneous adipose tissue is heterogeneous in the pig with some areas exhibiting very low lipogenesis and high lipid deposition importing triglycerides from other areas with high lipogenesis. However, these conclusions based on the measurement of enzyme activity potentials need to be confirmed with measurements of actual activities.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in early stages of development in dystrophic chickens

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activities were assayed in superficial pectoral muscles of hereditary dystrophic chickens, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 4 months after hatching. In control chickens, activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH were very low at 4 months of age; however, at 1 week of age, they were much higher than those at 4 months of age. Activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH were significantly higher in dystrophic chickens compared with those in the controls at all the stages of development studied. These findings suggest that considerable activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH are present within the pectoral muscle cells at early stages of development, at least in dystrophic chickens. GAPDH activity was significantly lower in dystrophic chickens at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 4 months of age compared with those in control chicken. These findings together with our previous studies (Mizuno 1984a,b) in which increased activities of superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were reported in dystrophic chickens, indicate the presence of an increased capacity for the turnover of oxygen-free radicals within muscle cells in dystrophic chickens, and that oxygen-free radicals and the related activated oxygen species may be playing a role in inducing cellular damage.

Connective tissue metabolism in normal and atrophic skeletal muscle

The first two enzymes of the pentose-phosphate pathway (G6PD and 6PGD) were studied in rabbit skeletal muscle. Their activities closely paralleled the connective tissue levels in each individual muscle, and they increased in atrophying muscles at the same rate as connective tissue. Skeletal muscle tendons and subcutaneously implanted polyvinyl sponges, both of which consist of relatively pure connective tissue, displayed much higher activity of these enzymes than the muscle homogenates. These results suggest that pentose synthesis in muscle is mostly confined to its connective tissue elements, raising the possibility of a role for connective tissue in the biosynthetic processes of skeletal muscle. The contribution of connective tissue to the results of muscle quantitative studies may be significant, and even overshadow other values in atrophic muscles, where the muscle cell population may be greatly reduced. The interpretation of quantitative biochemical studies on pathological muscle samples should take this factor into consideration.