Effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid and antioxidant supplementation on the transcriptional level of genes involved in lipid and energy metabolism in swine

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 4;13(10):e0204869. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204869. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Porcine fat traits depend mostly on the interaction between nutritional and genetic factors. However, the pathways and biological processes influenced by this interaction are still poorly known in pigs, although they can have a huge impact on meat quality traits. The present research provides new knowledge insight into the effect of four diets (D1 = standard diet; D2 = linseed supplementation; D3 = linseed, vitamin E and selenium supplementation; D4 = linseed and plant-derived polyphenols supplementation) on the expression of 24 candidate genes selected for their role in lipid and energy metabolism. The data indicated that 10 out of 24 genes were differentially expressed among diets, namely ACACA, ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, CHREBP (MLXPL), ELOVL6, FASN, G6PD, PLIN2, RXRA and SCD. Results from the univariate analysis displayed an increased expression of ACACA, ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, CHREBP, ELOVL6, FASN, PLIN2, RXRA and SCD in D4 compared to D2. Similarly, ACACA, ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, ELOVL6 and SCD were highly expressed in D4 compared to D3, while no differences were observed in D2-D3 comparison. Moreover, an increased expression of G6PD and ELOVL6 genes in D4 compared to D1 was observed. Results from the multivariate analysis confirmed that D2 was not different from D3 and that ACACA, SCD and FASN expression made D4 different from D2 and D3. Comparing D4 and D1, the expression levels of ELOVL6 and ACACA were the most influenced. This research provides evidence that the addition of both n-3 PUFA and polyphenols, derived from linseed, grape-skin and oregano supplementation in the diets, stimulates the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and in oxidative processes. Results evidenced a greater effect on gene expression of the diet added with both plant extracts and n-3 PUFA, resulting in an increased expression of genes coding for fatty acid synthesis, desaturation and elongation in pig Longissimus thoracis muscle.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology
  • Flax
  • Gene Expression Profiling / veterinary*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / drug effects
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Meat / analysis
  • Selenium / administration & dosage
  • Selenium / pharmacology
  • Swine
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Vitamin E
  • Selenium

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Bologna University RFO and Regione Emilia-Romagna POR-FESR 2014-2020 (URL: https://fesr.regione.emilia-romagna.it/) "Innovare la filiera suina mediante la valorizzazione di sottoprodotti vegetali e l'impiego di avanzate tecnologie "omiche" e di processo, per la produzione sostenibile di carne e salumi ad impatto positivo sulla salute"- Green Charcuterie grant n. PG/2015/730542. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Fundings were received by RD and DPLF.