title: Choline supplementation improves the lipid metabolism of intrauterine-growth-restricted pigs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary choline supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism and gene expression in finishing pigs with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a 2×2 factorial design, eight normal birth weight (NBW) and eight IUGR weaned pigs were fed either a basal diet (NBW pigs fed a basal diet, NC; IUGR pigs fed a basal diet, IC) or a diet supplemented with two times more choline than the basal diet (NBW pigs fed a high-choline diet, NH; IUGR pigs fed a high-choline diet, IH) until 200 d of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the IUGR pigs had reduced body weight compared with the NBW pigs (p<0.05 from birth to d 120; p = 0.07 from d 120 to 200). Increased (p<0.05) free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride levels were observed in the IUGR pigs compared with the NBW pigs. Choline supplementation decreased (p<0.05) the levels of FFAs and triglycerides in the serum of the pigs. The activities of malate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were both increased (p<0.05) in the livers of the IUGR pigs. Choline supplementation decreased (p<0.05) malate dehydrogenase activity in the liver of the pigs. Gene expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) was higher (p<0.05) in the IC group than in the other groups, and choline supplementation decreased (p<0.05) FAS and acetyl-CoA carboxylase α expression in the livers of the IUGR pigs. The expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) was lower (p<0.05) in the IC group than in the other groups, and choline supplementation increased (p<0.05) the expression of CPT1A in the liver of the IUGR pigs and decreased (p<0.01) the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase in both types of pigs. The gene expression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) was higher (p<0.05) in the IC group than in the other groups, and choline supplementation significantly reduced (p<0.05) PEMT expression in the liver of the IUGR pigs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the lipid metabolism was abnormal in IUGR pigs, but the IUGR pigs consuming twice the normal level of choline had improved circulating lipid parameters, which could be related to the decreased activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating enzymes or the altered expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU), Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4247-213X
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU), Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0308-2155
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU), Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Jiaqi
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4778-5832
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8150-3544
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU), Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9150-0833
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NJAU), Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9038-5009
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Choline; Intrauterine Growth Retardation; Lipid Metabolism; Liver; Pig