In vitro hepatic gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis as affected by prolonged ketonemia-glucosuria and fasting in steers

Serum macroelements and microelements levels in periparturient dairy cows in relation to fatty liver diseases

BACKGROUND

Fatty liver in dairy cows is a common metabolic disease defined by triglyceride (TG) buildup in the hepatocyte. Clinical diagnosis of fatty liver is usually done by liver biopsy, causing considerable economic losses in the dairy industry owing to the lack of more effective diagnostic methods. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential utility of blood biomarkers for the diagnosis and early warning of fatty liver in dairy cows.

RESULTS

A total of twenty-four lactating cows within 28 days after parturition were randomly selected as experimental animals and divided into healthy cows (liver biopsy tested, n = 12) and cows with fatty liver (liver biopsy tested, n = 12). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the macroelements and microelements in the serum of two groups of cows. Compared to healthy cows (C), concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), strontium (Sr), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), boron (B) and molybdenum (Mo) were lower and copper (Cu) was higher in fatty liver cows (F). Meanwhile, the observed differences in macroelements and microelements were related to delivery time, with the greatest major disparity between C and F occurring 7 days after delivery. Multivariable analysis was used to test the correlation between nine serum macroelements, microelements and fatty liver. Based on variable importance projection and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, minerals Ca, Se, K, B and Mo were screened as the best diagnostic indicators of fatty liver in postpartum cows.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that serum levels of Ca, K, Mg, Se, B, Mo, Mn, and Sr were lower in F than in C. The most suitable period for an early-warning identification of fatty liver in cows was 7 days after delivery, and Ca, Se, K, B and Mo were the best diagnostic indicators of fatty liver in postpartum cows.

Proteome analysis of fatty liver in feed-deprived dairy cows reveals interaction of fuel sensing, calcium, fatty acid, and glycogen metabolism

The liver of dairy cows is involved in signaling the current hepatic metabolic state to the brain via metabolites and nerval afferents to control and adjust feed intake. Feed deprivation may result in mobilization of body reserves favoring hepatic steatosis. While the overall metabolic changes are well characterized, specific regulatory mechanisms are not readily understood. To identify molecular events associated with metabolic adaptation and the control of energy homeostasis, liver specimens from six ad libitum-fed and six feed-deprived cows were analyzed for selected metabolites, for the activation of AMP kinase, and for regulatory/regulated proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-MS. Feed deprivation increased total liver fat and the calcium content, as well as augmented AMPK phosphorylation, while it decreased the contents of protein, glucose, glycogen, and cholesterol when expressed as a percentage of dry matter. Among 34 differentially expressed proteins identified, we found downregulation of proteins associated with fatty acid oxidation, glycolysis, electron transfer, protein degradation, and antigen processing, as well as cytoskeletal rearrangement. Proteins upregulated after feed deprivation included enzymes of the urea cycle, fatty acid or cholesterol transport proteins, an inhibitor of glycolysis, and previously unknown changes in calcium signaling network. Direct correlation was found between expression of glycolytic enzymes and glucose/glycogen content, whereas inverse correlation exists between expression of β-oxidative enzymes and total liver fat content. In conclusion, the regulatory response of identified proteins may help to explain development and consequences of hepatic lipidosis but also offers novel candidates potentially involved in signaling for maintaining energy homeostasis.

Circulating ghrelin concentrations fluctuate relative to nutritional status and influence feeding behavior in cattle1,2

The objective of these experiments was to establish the relationship of plasma ghrelin concentrations with feed intake and hormones indicative of nutritional state of cattle. In Exp.1, 4 steers (BW 450 +/- 14.3 kg) were used in a crossover design to compare plasma ghrelin concentrations of feed-deprived steers with those of steers allowed to consume feed and to establish the relationship of plasma ghrelin concentrations with those of GH, insulin (INS), glucose (GLU), and NEFA. After adaptation to a once-daily feed offering (0800), 2 steers continued the once-daily feeding schedule (FED), whereas feed was withheld from the other 2 steers (FAST). Serial blood samples were collected via indwelling jugular catheter from times equivalent to 22 h through 48 h of feed deprivation. Average plasma ghrelin concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) in FAST compared with FED (690 and 123 +/- 6.5 pg/mL) steers. Average plasma ghrelin concentrations for FED steers prefeeding were elevated (P < 0.001) when compared with those postfeeding (174 and 102 +/- 4.2 pg/mL, respectively). Average plasma GH concentration was elevated (P < 0.05) for FAST steers compared with FED steers. Plasma GLU concentrations were not different; however, for FAST steers, NEFA concentrations were elevated (P < 0.001) and INS concentrations were decreased (P < 0.001). In Exp. 2, 4 steers (BW 416 +/- 17.2 kg) were used in a crossover design to determine the effects of i.v. injection of bovine ghrelin (bGR) on plasma GH, INS, GLU, and NEFA concentrations; length of time spent eating; and DMI. Steers were offered feed once daily (0800). Serial blood samples were collected from steers via indwelling jugular catheter. Saline or bGR was injected via jugular catheter at 1200 and 1400. A dosage of 0.08 microg/kg of BW bGR was used to achieve a plasma ghrelin concentration similar to the physiological concentration measured in a FAST steer in Exp. 1 (1,000 pg/mL). Injection of bGR resulted in elevated (P < 0.005) plasma GH concentrations after the 1200 but not the 1400 injection. Plasma INS, GLU, and NEFA concentrations were not affected by bGR injection. For the combined 1-h periods postinjection, length of time spent eating was greater (P = 0.02) and DMI tended to be increased (P = 0.06) for bGR steers. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ghrelin serves as a metabolic signal for feed intake or energy balance in ruminants.

Increased milk production versus reproductive and energy status of high producing dairy cows

Two groups of 10 Holstein cows were chosen by pairs from a 20-yr genetic selection project that used either breed average or breed high sires chosen only for Predicted Differences in milk production. Milk production (305-d mature equivalent) was 10,814 kg and 6912 kg for the high and average groups of cows. Days to first visual estrus and number of ovulations before first visual estrus were greater for the high versus the average group (66 vs. 43 d and 1.6 vs. .7 ovulations). No differences were significant between groups for the interval from parturition to uterine involution or for days to first ovulation. Energy balance was less for the high group during wk 1, 2, 10, and 11. Plasma glucose concentration was lowest during wk 2 for both groups, and nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate were greatest for both groups during wk 1 and 2. Liver glycogen content was lower at d 15 postpartum for the high group, and liver triglyceride content was greater on d 30 for the high group. The data for reproductive functions support the concept that high milk production is antagonistic to expression of estrous behavior but not to reactivation of ovarian function.

Effects of in vivo administration of growth hormone on milk production and in vitro hepatic metabolism in dairy cattle

Bovine growth hormone (50 IU/d) or placebo injections were administered for 11 consecutive d to Holstein cows (four per treatment) in midlactation. Growth hormone injections increased milk yield, efficiency of milk production, and concentrations of growth hormone and free fatty acids in plasma. Concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate in whole blood and glucose in plasma were not affected by treatment. Liver biopsies were taken from both groups of cows 8 d prior to and on the last day of injection. Liver slices were used for in vitro incubations with carbon-14-labeled propionate, alanine, butyrate, and palmitate. Rates of substrate metabolism before and after placebo treatment were similar. Compared with pretreatment, however, liver slices from cows receiving growth hormone had significantly higher rates of propionate conversion to both glucose and carbon dioxide. There was also a nonsignificant increase in rate of alanine conversion to glucose and carbon dioxide. Growth hormone treatment did not change in vitro production of ketones or carbon dioxide from butyrate or palminate. Results indicate that growth hormone increases hepatic capacity for propionate metabolism and supports the concept that growth hormone partitions fatty acids for preferential use by mammary tissue.

Evidence for impaired metabolism in liver during induced lactation ketosis of dairy cows

Ketosis was induced in four lactating dairy cows at an average of 36 d postpartum and 24 d after initiation of a protocol for inducing ketosis. Liver and adipose biopsies were taken at five stages; once prepartal, once early postpartal, once during an induction protocol, once during ketosis, and once during recovery after treatment of ketosis. At each stage, in vitro estimates were made of capacities of liver slices for gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and ketogenesis and of capacities of adipose tissue slices for lipogenesis and lipolysis. There were no significant differences for any metabolic capacity between prepartal and early postpartal stages; however, a significant decrease in hepatic metabolic activity was associated with ketosis. Gluconeogenic rates from all substrates tested were decreased significantly during ketosis, and similar decreases were measured for oxidation of gluconeogenic substrates and fatty acids. Treatment of ketosis resulted in complete recovery from impairments of metabolism in liver. Results suggest that a prolonged energy deficit, plus a major influx of ketone precursors, is accompanied by eventual hepatic impairment, that clinical ketosis is associated with this impairment, and that the impairment is reversed by effective treatment of ketosis.

Plasma and liver metabolites and glucose kinetics as affected by prolonged ketonemia-glucosuria and fasting in steers

For 28 days, four steers received 1,3-butanediol, which causes ketonemia, and phlorizin, which causes glucosuria. Steers also were fasted for 9 days. Effects of treatments on concentrations of metabolites in blood and liver and on kinetics of glucose metabolism were determined. Treatments were: control, control with dietary butanediol plus injected phlorizin, and fasting. Fasting caused hypoinsulinemia and decreased liver glycogen by 60%. Butanediol plus phlorizin and fasting caused 18 and 19% decreases of plasma glucose and 2.5- and 6-fold increases of free fatty acid concentrations in blood plasma. Glucose irreversible loss averaged 371, 541, and 182 g/day during control, butanediol plus phlorizin treatment, and fasting. Butanediol plus phlorizin increased liver ketone body concentrations, caused glucosuria, ketonuria, and ketonemia, but did not affect insulin, glucagon, or growth hormone concentrations in plasma or triglyceride and glycogen contents in liver. Steers given butanediol plus phlorizin did not show all the usual signs of lactation ketosis, but the treatment still offers promise for studying causes and effects of ketosis.