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Undrakhbayar E, Zhang XY, Wang CZ, Wang DH. The function of brown adipose tissue at different sites of the body in Brandt's voles during cold acclimation. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2024; 295:111655. [PMID: 38723743 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Ambient temperatures have great impacts on thermoregulation of small mammals. Brown adipose tissue (BAT), an obligative thermogenic tissue for small mammals, is localized not only in the interscapular depot (iBAT), but also in supraclavicular, infra/subscapular, cervical, paravertebral, and periaortic depots. The iBAT is known for its cold-induced thermogenesis, however, less has been paid attention to the function of BAT at other sites. Here, we investigated the function of BAT at different sites of the body during cold acclimation in a small rodent species. As expected, Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) consumed more food and reduced the body mass gain when they were exposed to cold. The voles increased resting metabolic rate and maintained a relatively lower body temperature in the cold (36.5 ± 0.27 °C) compared to those in the warm condition (37.1 ± 0.36 °C). During cold acclimation, the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) increased in aBAT (axillary), cBAT (anterior cervical), iBAT (interscapular), nBAT (supraclavicular), and sBAT (suprascapular). The levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a marker for cell proliferation, were higher in cBAT and iBAT in the cold than in the warm group. The pAMPK/AMPK and pCREB/CREB were increased in cBAT and iBAT during cold acclimation, respectively. These data indicate that these different sites of BAT play the cold-induced thermogenic function for small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhbat Undrakhbayar
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xue-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Chen-Zhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - De-Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Yu M, Fan R, Yang SM. Effect of tannic acid on adiponectin and gonads in male Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 357:114592. [PMID: 39043324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Adiponectin regulates steroid production and influences gonadal development. This study examined the effects of tannic acid (TA) on the adiponectin levels and gonads of male Brandt's voles. Male Brandt's voles aged 90 d were randomly separated into three groups: a control group (provided distilled water), a group given 600 mg∙kg-1 TA, and a group that received 1200 mg∙kg-1 TA (continuous gavage for 18 d). In this study, we examined the effects of TA on the adiponectin, antioxidant, and inflammatory levels in the testes. Furthermore, we examined the expression of important regulatory elements that influence adiponectin expression and glucose utilisation. In addition, the body weight, reproductive organ weight, and testicular shape were assessed. Our study observed that TA treatment increased serum adiponectin levels, DsbA-L and Ero1-Lα transcription levels, and AdipoR1, AMPK, GLUT1, and MCT4 expression levels in testicular tissue. TA enhanced pyruvate and lactic acid levels in the testicular tissue, boosted catalase activity, and reduced MDA concentrations. TA reduced the release of inflammatory factors in the testicular tissues of male Brandt's voles. TA increased the inner diameter of the seminiferous tubules. In conclusion, TA appears to stimulate adiponectin secretion and gonadal growth in male Brandt's voles while acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Yu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Yantai Institute of Technology, Yantai 264003, China; Department of College of Biological Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
| | - Ruiyang Fan
- Department of College of Biological Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Sheng-Mei Yang
- Department of College of Biological Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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Pan D, Shi Y, Huang M, Li X, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Sun H, Wang Z. Physiological indices and liver gene expression related to glucose supply in Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) exhibit species- and oxygen concentration-specific responses to hypoxia. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 270:110911. [PMID: 37898361 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2023.110911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is a species with hypoxia tolerance, and glucose serves as the primary energy substrate under hypoxia. However, the glucose supply in Brandt's voles under hypoxia has not been studied. This study aimed to investigate characteristics in physiological indices and liver gene expression associated with glucose supply in Brandt's voles under hypoxia. Serum glucose of Brandt's voles remained stable under 10% O2, increased under 7.5% O2, and decreased under 5% O2. Serum lactate increased under 10% O2, decreased under 7.5% O2, increased at 6 h and decreased at 12 h under 5% O2. Liver glycogen increased under 10% O2, remained constant under 7.5% O2, and reduced under 5% O2. Pepck and G6pase expression associated with gluconeogenesis decreased under 10% O2, while Pepck expression decreased and G6pase expression increased under 7.5% and 5% O2. Regarding genes related to glycogen metabolism, Gys expression decreased at all oxygen concentrations, Phk expression increased under 5% O2, and Gp expression increased under 7.5% and 5% O2. The alterations in glucose, lactate, liver glycogen, and gene expression related to glycogenolysis in Kunming mice (Mus musculus, control species) are similar to discovery of Brandt's voles under 7.5% O2, but gene expression involved in gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis increased. The findings suggest that Brandt's voles are more tolerant to hypoxia than Kunming mice, and their physiological indices and liver gene expression related to glucose supply exhibit species- and oxygen concentration-specific responses to hypoxia. This research offers novel insights for studying hypoxia tolerance of Brandt's voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yuhua Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Maolin Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Xiujuan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Zishi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Hong Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China; Centre for Nutritional Ecology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China.
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4
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Pan D, Wang J, Li M, Qiao C, Zhang Y, Shao T, Sun H, Wang Z. Changes in gene expression and enzyme activity related to glucose metabolism in the livers of Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) exposed to hypoxia. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 279:111384. [PMID: 36738876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is a hypoxia-tolerant species, and the metabolic characteristics of hypoxia-tolerant species have become a focus of recent research. However, insights into the anaerobic and aerobic metabolism of the livers of Brandt's voles under hypoxia remain limited. In this study, Brandt's voles and hypoxia-intolerant Kunming mice (Mus musculus, control species) were exposed to hypoxia conditions (Brandt's voles, 10% and 7.5% O2; Kunming mice, 10% O2) for 24 h, and changes in gene expression and enzyme activity related to anaerobic and aerobic metabolism in the livers were evaluated. Phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), phosphofructokinase 2 (PFK2), pyruvate kinase muscle (PKM), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) related to anaerobic metabolism in the livers of Brandt's voles were increased under 7.5% O2. Regarding gene expression and enzyme activity for aerobic metabolism in Brandt's voles under 7.5% and 10% O2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) expression was up-regulated, and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was decreased. In the livers of Kunming mice, gene expression related to anaerobic and aerobic metabolism was increased at the late stage of 10% O2, and SDH activity was enhanced at 6 h and reduced at 18 h. In addition, PFK1,PKM, PDK1 expression and SDH activity in Brandt's voles were significantly correlated with HIF-1a expression. PFK1, PKM, LDHand PDK1 expression in Kunming mice were significantly correlated with HIF-1a expression. These findings indicate that the livers of Brandt's voles have a certain tolerance to hypoxia, and metabolic changes play important roles in hypoxia tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Pan
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Jingou Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Mengke Li
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Congcong Qiao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Tian Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Hong Sun
- Centre for Nutritional Ecology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China.
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Ostwald MM, Fox TP, Hillery WS, Shaffer Z, Harrison JF, Fewell JH. Group-living carpenter bees conserve heat and body mass better than solitary individuals in winter. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Zhang XY, Wang DH. Gut Microbial Community and Host Thermoregulation in Small Mammals. Front Physiol 2022; 13:888324. [PMID: 35480035 PMCID: PMC9035535 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.888324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endotherms, particularly the small mammals living in the polar region and temperate zone, are faced with extreme challenges for maintaining stable core body temperatures in harsh cold winter. The non-hibernating small mammals increase metabolic rate including obligatory thermogenesis (basal/resting metabolic rate, BMR/RMR) and regulatory thermogenesis (mainly nonshivering thermogenesis, NST, in brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) to maintain thermal homeostasis in cold conditions. A substantial amount of evidence indicates that the symbiotic gut microbiota are sensitive to air temperature, and play an important function in cold-induced thermoregulation, via bacterial metabolites and byproducts such as short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids. Cold signal is sensed by specific thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels (thermo-TRPs), and then norepinephrine (NE) is released from sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and thyroid hormones also increase to induce NST. Meanwhile, these neurotransmitters and hormones can regulate the diversity and compositions of the gut microbiota. Therefore, cold-induced NST is controlled by both Thermo-TRPs—SNS—gut microbiota axis and thyroid—gut microbiota axis. Besides physiological thermoregulation, small mammals also rely on behavioral regulation, such as huddling and coprophagy, to maintain energy and thermal homeostasis, and the gut microbial community is involved in these processes. The present review summarized the recent progress in the gut microbiota and host physiological and behavioral thermoregulation in small mammals for better understanding the evolution and adaption of holobionts (host and symbiotic microorganism). The coevolution of host-microorganism symbionts promotes individual survival, population maintenance, and species coexistence in the ecosystems with complicated, variable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - De-Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: De-Hua Wang,
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Zhu H, Zhong L, Li J, Wang S, Qu J. Differential Expression of Metabolism-Related Genes in Plateau Pika ( Ochotona curzoniae) at Different Altitudes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Front Genet 2022; 12:784811. [PMID: 35126457 PMCID: PMC8811202 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.784811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
According to life history theory, animals living in extreme environments have evolved specific behavioral and physiological strategies for survival. However, the genetic mechanisms underpinning these strategies are unclear. As the highest geographical unit on Earth, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is characterized by an extreme environment and climate. During long-term evolutionary processes, animals that inhabit the plateau have evolved specialized morphological and physiological traits. The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), one of the native small mammals that evolved on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has adapted well to this cold and hypoxic environment. To explore the genetic mechanisms underlying the physiological adaptations of plateau pika to extremely cold ambient temperatures, we measured the differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and metabolism-related gene expression in individuals inhabiting three distinct altitudes (i.e., 3,321, 3,663, and 4,194 m). Results showed that the body mass and RMR of plateau pika at high- and medium-altitudes were significantly higher than those at the low-altitude. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (pparα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (pgc-1α), and the PR domain-containing 16 (PRDM16) in white (WAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissues of plateau pika from high- and medium-altitudes were significantly higher than in pika from the low-altitude region. The enhanced expression levels of pgc-1α and pparα genes in the WAT of pika at high-altitude showed that WAT underwent "browning" and increased thermogenic properties. An increase in the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the BAT of pika at high altitude indicated that BAT increased their thermogenic properties. The gene expression levels of pparα and pgc-1α in skeletal muscles were significantly higher in high-altitude pika. Simultaneously, the expression of the sarcolipin (SLN) gene in skeletal muscles significantly increased in high-altitude pika. Our results suggest that plateau pika adapted to an extremely cold environment via browning WAT, thereby activating BAT and enhancing SLN expression to increase non-shivering thermogenesis. This study demonstrates that plateau pika can increase thermogenic gene expression and energy metabolism to adapt to the extreme environments on the plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Suqin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
- Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Xining, China
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8
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Denommé MR, Mason GJ. Social Buffering as a Tool for Improving Rodent Welfare. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:5-14. [PMID: 34915978 PMCID: PMC8786379 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-21-000006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The presence of a conspecific can be calming to some species of animal during stress, a phenomenon known as social buffering. For rodents, social buffering can reduce the perception of and reaction to aversive experiences. With a companion, animals may be less frightened in conditioned fear paradigms, experience faster wound healing, show reduced corticosterone responses to novelty, and become more resilient to everyday stressors like cage-cleaning. Social buffering works in diverse ways across species and life stages. For example, social buffering may rely on specific bonds and interactions between individuals, whereas in other cases, the mere presence of conspecific cues may reduce isolation stress. Social buffering has diverse practical applications for enhancing rodent wellbeing (some of which can be immediately applied, while others need further development via welfare-oriented research). Appropriate social housing will generally increase rodents' abilities to cope with challenges, with affiliative cage mates being the most effective buffers. Thus, when rodents are scheduled to experience distressing research procedures, ensuring that their home lives supply high degrees of affiliative, low stress social contact can be an effective refinement. Furthermore, social buffering research illustrates the stress of acute isolation: stressors experienced outside the cage may thus be less impactful if a companion is present. If a companion cannot be provided for subjects exposed to out-of-cage stressors, odors from unstressed animals can help ameliorate stress, as can proxies such as pieces of synthetic fur. Finally, in cases involving conditioned fear (the learned expectation of harm), newly providing social contact during exposure to negative conditioned stimuli (CS) can modify the CS such that for research rodents repeatedly exposed to aversive stimuli, adding conspecific contact can reduce their conditioned fear. Ultimately, these benefits of social buffering should inspire the use of creative techniques to reduce the impact of stressful procedures on laboratory rodents, so enhancing their welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R Denommé
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Georgia J Mason
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Corresponding author. Email address:
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Funabashi D, Wakiyama Y, Muto N, Kita I, Nishijima T. Social isolation is a direct determinant of decreased home-cage activity in mice: A within-subjects study using a body-implantable actimeter. Exp Physiol 2021; 107:133-146. [PMID: 34921441 DOI: 10.1113/ep090132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? It is generally recognized that social isolation is associated with physical inactivity; however, is social isolation a direct determinant of decreased physical activity? What is the main finding and its importance? We conducted a within-subjects experiment with the aid of a body-implantable actimeter. Our results clearly demonstrated that social isolation decreased home-cage activity in mice. This might have resulted from increased immobility and decreased vigorous activity, suggesting that avoiding social isolation is important to preventing physical inactivity. ABSTRACT An inactive lifestyle can negatively affect physiological and mental health. Social isolation is associated with physical inactivity; however, it remains uncertain whether social isolation is a direct determinant of decreased physical activity. Hence, we assessed whether social isolation decreases home-cage activity using a within-subjects design and examined the effects of social isolation on hippocampal neurogenesis in mice. This study used a body-implantable actimeter called nanotag®, which enabled us to measure home-cage activity despite housing the mice in groups. We first examined the influence of the intraperitoneal implantation of nanotag® on home-cage activity. Although nanotag® implantation decreased home-cage activity temporarily, 7 days post-implantation, it recovered to the same level as that of control (non-implanted) mice, suggesting that implantation of nanotag® does not have a negative influence on home-cage activity if mice undergo a 1-week recovery period after implantation. In the main experiment, after the 1-week baseline measurement performed while in group housing, the mice were placed in a group or in isolation. Home-cage activity was measured for an additional 4 weeks. Home-cage activity in isolated mice during the dark period decreased by 26% from pre-intervention to the last week of intervention. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of 5-minute epochs during which the activity count exceeded 301 (an index of vigorous activity) was significantly larger for isolated mice. Contrary to expectations, social isolation did not impair hippocampal neurogenesis. Our results demonstrate that social isolation is a direct determinant of decreased physical activity, possibly because of reduced vigorous physical activity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Funabashi
- Department of Health Promotion Science, Graduate School of Human Health Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Yusuke Wakiyama
- Department of Health Promotion Science, Graduate School of Human Health Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Naoya Muto
- Department of Health Promotion Science, Graduate School of Human Health Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kita
- Department of Health Promotion Science, Graduate School of Human Health Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nishijima
- Department of Health Promotion Science, Graduate School of Human Health Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
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Shi L, Chen B, Wang X, Huang M, Qiao C, Wang J, Wang Z. Antioxidant response to severe hypoxia in Brandt's vole Lasiopodomys brandtii. Integr Zool 2021; 17:581-595. [PMID: 34713576 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The antioxidant defense system is essential for animals to cope with homeostasis disruption and overcome oxidative stress caused by adverse environmental conditions such as hypoxia. However, our understanding of how this system works in subterranean rodents remains limited. In this study, Brandt's vole Lasiopodomys brandtii was exposed to normoxia (21% O2 ) or hypoxia (mild or severe hypoxia: 10% or 5% O2 ) for 6 h. Changes in key enzymes of the classic enzymatic antioxidant system at both mRNA and enzyme activity levels, and tissue antioxidant levels of the low-molecular-weight antioxidant system were determined in brain, liver, and kidney. Transcript levels of the upstream regulator NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were also measured. We found that the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant enzyme genes in L. brandtii were relatively conserved in response to hypoxia in most tissues and genes tested, except in the liver. Hepatic Nrf2, Cu/Zn SOD, GPx1, and GPx3 levels were significantly upregulated in response to mild hypoxia, whereas Mn SOD level decreased significantly in severe hypoxia. Unmatched with changes at the RNA level, constitutively high and relatively stable antioxidant enzyme activities were maintained throughout. For the low-molecular-weight antioxidant system, an abrupt increase of cerebral ascorbic acid (AA) levels in hypoxia indicated a tissue-specific antioxidant response. Although hypoxia did not cause significant oxidative damage in most tissues tested, the significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (GPX and GR) and increase in lipid peroxidation in the kidney suggest that prolonged hypoxia may pose a critical threat to this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luye Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Bojian Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Jiaxing-Tongji Environmental Research Institute, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Maolin Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Congcong Qiao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingou Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Centre for Nutritional Ecology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Social thermoregulation in Mediterranean greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03072-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Zhang HP, Liu W, An JQ, Yang P, Guo LH, Li YQ, Lv J, Yu SH. Transcriptome analyses and weighted gene coexpression network analysis reveal key pathways and genes involved in the rapid cold resistance of the Chinese white wax scale insect. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 107:e21781. [PMID: 33687102 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese white wax scale insect, Ericerus pela, is an important resource insect in China. The rapid response of E. pela to decreasing temperatures plays key roles in the population distribution. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression of E. pela treated with low temperature using transcriptome analyses and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). The results showed that the cold resistance of E. pela involved changes in the expression of many genes. The genes were mainly involved in alcohol formation activity, lipid metabolism, membrane and structure, and oxidoreductase activity. According to the WGCNA results, some pathways related to cold resistance were found in the genes in the modules, such as cytoskeleton proteins, cytoskeleton protein pathway, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycerophospholipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and thermogenesis. Some of the hub genes were nonspecific lipid-transfer proteins, DnaJ homolog subfamily C member 13, paramyosin, tropomodulin, and tubulin beta chain. In particular, the hub genes of the tan module included the heat shock protein (hsp) 10, hsp 60, hsp 70, and hsp 90 genes. Thirty-five antifreeze protein (afp) genes were identified according to the annotation results. Three afp genes were further identified among the hub genes. Six of these genes were selected for heterogeneous protein expression. One of them was expressed successfully. The thermal hysteresis activity (THA) analyses showed that the THA was 1.73°C. These results showed that the cytoskeleton, lipid metabolism, thermogenesis, HSPs and AFPs may play important roles in the cold resistance of E. pela.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Ping Zhang
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Cultivating and Utilization of Resource Insects of State Forestry Administration, Kunming, China
| | - Jia-Qi An
- Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Cultivating and Utilization of Resource Insects of State Forestry Administration, Kunming, China
| | - Pu Yang
- Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Cultivating and Utilization of Resource Insects of State Forestry Administration, Kunming, China
| | - Li-Hong Guo
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan-Qiong Li
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Lv
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, China
| | - Shu-Hui Yu
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, China
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13
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Xu JH, Wang Z, Mou JJ, Wang CL, Huang WM, Xue HL, Wu M, Chen L, Xu LX. Up-Regulation of Glycogen Synthesis and Degradation Enzyme Level Maintained Myocardial Glycogen in Huddling Brandt's Voles Under Cool Environments. Front Physiol 2021; 12:593129. [PMID: 33841168 PMCID: PMC8033036 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.593129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small mammals exhibit limited glucose use and glycogen accumulation during hypothermia. Huddling is a highly evolved cooperative behavioral strategy in social mammals, allowing adaptation to environmental cooling. However, it is not clear whether this behavior affects the utilization of glycogen in cold environments. Here, we studied the effects of huddling on myocardial glycogen content in Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) under a mild cold environment (15°C). Results showed that (1) Compared to the control (22°C) group (CON), the number of glycogenosomes more than tripled in the cool separated group (CS) in both males and females; whereas the number of glycogenosomes increased in females but was maintained in males in the cool huddling group (CH). (2) Glycogen synthase (GS) activity in the CS group remained unchanged, whereas glycogen phosphorylase (GYPL) activity decreased, which mediated the accumulation of glycogen content of the CS group. (3) Both GS and GYPL activity increased which may contribute to the stability of glycogen content in CH group. (4) The expression levels of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 increased in the CS group, accompanied by an increase in glucose metabolism. These results indicate that the reduced glycogen degradation enzyme level and enhanced glucose transport may lead to an increase in myocardial glycogen content of the separated voles under cool environment; while the up-regulation of glycogen synthesis and degradation enzyme level maintained myocardial glycogen content in the huddling vole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hui Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Jun-Jie Mou
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Chuan-Li Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Wei-Mei Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Hui-Liang Xue
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Ming Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Lai-Xiang Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
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14
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Mortola JP. Social interaction and the thermogenic response of chicken hatchlings. Physiol Behav 2021; 232:113317. [PMID: 33472054 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aggregation of two or more individuals of the same species (huddling) is common in mammals and birds, especially in the cold. The physical contact reduces the weight-specific body surface exposed to the environment, thus lowering heat loss and the thermogenic needs. This study investigated the possibility that the mere presence of a conspecific, in absence of physical contact, may by itself influence metabolic rate during cold. The oxygen consumption (Vo2) of pairs of chicken hatchlings was measured when the hatchlings were in isolation (individuals), together in the respirometer but kept separated by a grid (separated) or together in the respirometer free to huddle (together), in random order, in warm (ambient normothermia, 37.5 °C) and cold conditions (26 °C, 1 h). In warm, Vo2 did not differ significantly among individuals, separated and together (~ 1.03 ± 0.04 ml O2/min). During the whole cold period, Vo2 of individuals exceeded the value by 23.3 ± 3.1 ml of O2, significantly more than in separated (15.3 ± 2.0 ml O2, P<0.01) and together (13.9 ± 3.3 ml O2; P<0.001). Separated and together did not differ significantly. Vo2 in the cold averaged 149 ± 7% of the value measured in normothermia in isolated, 132 ± 5% in separated and 128 ± 7% in together. By the end of the cold-exposure, Vo2 averaged 166 ± 8% of normothermia in isolated, 146 ± 8% in separated and 140 ± 9% in together. In all cases, values of isolated significantly exceeded those of separated (P<0.01) and together (P<0.0001), while separated and together did not differ from each other (P>0.05; Two-way RM ANOVA). Hence, in this experimental model, social interaction without physical contact decreased the thermogenic response to cold as much as huddling did. Presumably, during the cold exposure, social interaction lowered the additional energetic cost of the stress of isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo P Mortola
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler promenade, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3G 1Y6.
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15
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Li W, Dong Y, Dong Q, Sun H, Zhang Y, Wang Z. The remarkable hypoxia tolerance in Brandt's voles (
Lasiopodomys brandtii
). Eur J Neurosci 2020; 53:1652-1660. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan Province China
| | - Yanan Dong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan Province China
| | - Qianqian Dong
- School of Life Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan Province China
| | - Hong Sun
- School of Physical Education (Main campus) Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan Province China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- School of Life Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan Province China
| | - Zhenlong Wang
- School of Life Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan Province China
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16
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Wang Z, Xu JH, Mou JJ, Kong XT, Zou JW, Xue HL, Wu M, Xu LX. Novel ultrastructural findings on cardiac mitochondria of huddling Brandt's voles in mild cold environment. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 249:110766. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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17
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Arnold LC, Habe M, Troxler J, Nowack J, Vetter SG. Rapid establishment of teat order and allonursing in wild boar
(Sus scrofa). Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie C. Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
| | - Manuela Habe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
| | - Josef Troxler
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health Institute of Animal Welfare Science University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
| | - Julia Nowack
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
- Natural Sciences and Psychology Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool UK
| | - Sebastian G. Vetter
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Austria
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18
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Khakisahneh S, Zhang XY, Nouri Z, Hao SY, Chi QS, Wang DH. Thyroid hormones mediate metabolic rate and oxidative, anti-oxidative balance at different temperatures in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 216:101-109. [PMID: 30476595 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative damage is a potential physiological cost of thermoregulation during seasonal adjustments to air temperature (Ta) in small mammals. Here, we hypothesized that Ta affects serum thyroid hormone levels and these hormones can mediate the changes in metabolic rate and oxidative damage. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were acclimated at different Tas (5 °C, 23 °C and 37 °C) for 3 weeks. Serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels increased at 5 °C but decreased at 37 °C compared to the control (23 °C). Protein carbonyls increased in liver at 37 °C compared with control, however, lipid damage (malonaldehyde, MDA) in both serum and liver was unrelated to Ta. After the effects of different Tas on thyroid hormone levels and oxidative damage markers were determined, we further investigate whether thyroid hormones mediated metabolic rate and oxidative damage. Another set of gerbils received 0.0036% L-thyroxin (hyperthyroid), 0.04% Methylimazol (hypothyroid) or water (control). Hypothyroid group showed a 34% reduction in resting metabolic rate (RMR) also 42% and 26% increases in MDA and liver protein carbonyl respectively, whereas hyperthyroid group had higher RMR, liver mass and superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to control. Serum T3 or T3/T4 levels were correlated positively with RMR, liver mass, and SOD, but negatively with MDA and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). We concluded that high Ta induced hypothyroidism, decreased RMR and increased oxidative damage, whereas low Ta induced hyperthyroidism, increased RMR and unchanged oxidative damage. These data supported our hypothesis that thyroid hormones can be a cue to mediate metabolic rate and different aspects of oxidative and antioxidant activities at different Tas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Khakisahneh
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xue-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zahra Nouri
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shao-Yan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qing-Sheng Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - De-Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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