Long term betaine supplementation regulates genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of two muscles from an obese pig breed.
This study evaluates the effects of betaine supplementation (1gkg-1for 20weeks) on the regulation of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris from obese Alentejano pigs. Betaine supplementation led to an increase in total cholesterol in both muscles, complementing results previously published indicating a significant increase on the intramuscular lipid content. The expression of twelve genes involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis/FA oxidation, FA transport, and cholesterol metabolism, as well as two transcription factors were also evaluated. Genes related to lipid and cholesterol synthesis plus FA transport were consistently up-regulated in both muscles of betaine fed pigs. On the other hand, genes related to lipolysis/FA oxidation were not affected or down-regulated by betaine supplementation. Our data suggest that the underlying mechanism regulating IMF and cholesterol accumulation in Alentejano pigs supplemented with betaine is associated with the up-regulation of genes involved in lipid synthesis, FA transport, and cholesterol synthesis.
ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
A
A
Albuquerque
ICAAM, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
José A
JA
Neves
ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
M
M
Redondeiro
ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Núcleo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
M
M
Laranjo
ICAAM, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade de Évora, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
M R
MR
Félix
ICAAM, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
Amadeu
A
Freitas
ICAAM, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Évora, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
José L
JL
Tirapicos
ICAAM, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal. Electronic address: jmartins@uevora.pt.
José M
JM
Martins
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001622:Betaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001947:Breeding; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000662:veterinary; D013552:Swine; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D005227:Fatty Acids; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001622:Betaine; D002784:Cholesterol
Alentejano pig; Betaine; Biceps femoris; Gene expression; Intramuscular fat and cholesterol content; Longissimus lumborum