title: Effects of dietary L-lysine intake on the intestinal mucosa and expression of CAT genes in weaned piglets.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of dietary L-lysine on the intestinal mucosa and expression of cationic amino acid transporters (CAT) in weaned piglets. Twenty-eight piglets weaned at 21 days of age (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire; 6.51 ± 0.65 kg body weight) were assigned randomly into one of the four groups: Zein + LYS (zein-based diet + 1.35 % supplemental lysine), Zein - LYS (zein-based diet), NF (nitrogen-free diet), and CON (basal diet). The experiment lasted for 3 weeks, during which food intake and body weight were recorded. At the end of the trial, blood was collected from the jugular vein of all pigs, followed by their euthanasia. Dietary supplementation with lysine enhanced villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Jejunal mRNA levels for the b(0,+)-AT, y(+)LAT1 and CAT1 genes were greater (P < 0.05) in the Zein + LYS group than in the control, and the opposite was observed for CAT1. Dietary content of lysine differentially affected intestinal CAT expression to modulate absorption of lysine and other basic amino acids. Thus, transport of these nutrients is a key regulatory step in utilization of dietary protein by growing pigs and lysine in the diet influences the expression of amino acid transporters in the small intestine.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Agroecology in Subtropical Region, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South-Central, China.
authors.forename: Liuqin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Huansheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yongqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Tiejun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xihong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yulong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nyachoti
authors.forename: Guoyao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D026923:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008239:Lysine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D026923:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic; D008239:Lysine