Feeding pigs with coconut oil affects their adipose miRNA profile

Mol Biol Rep. 2022 Jul;49(7):6919-6929. doi: 10.1007/s11033-022-07303-6. Epub 2022 Mar 5.

Abstract

Background: Circulating miRNA molecules are intensively studied for their usefulness as biomarkers of civilization diseases. Meanwhile, it is known that diet can influence the level of miRNA expression in tissues.

Methods: Our research aimed to determine how a diet containing various sources of fat (rapeseed oil, beef tallow, coconut oil) and different amounts of cDDGS (corn Dried Distilled Grains with Solubles) affects the miRNA profile in pig fat-the main source of circulating miRNAs. For this purpose, we used Next Generation Sequencing of miRNA libraries.

Results: We observed the highest number of differentially expressed miRNAs in the samples from animals that were fed with coconut oil in the diet compared to all other treatments. In contrary, cDDGS appeared to have little effect on miRNA expression.

Conclusions: We propose a subset of diet-related, adipose-specific, conservative miRNAs among mammals, namely: ssc-miR-99b, ssc-miR-4334-3p, ssc-miR-146b, ssc-miR-23a. Moreover, we observed that several miRNAs regulated by dietary fats are considered as biomarkers in human and animal diseases.

Keywords: Adipose; Coconut oil; Pig; miRNA.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue* / metabolism
  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Coconut Oil / metabolism
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mammals / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • MicroRNAs* / metabolism
  • Swine / genetics

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • MicroRNAs
  • Coconut Oil