Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (8): 3286-3298.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2023.08.015

• ANIMAL GENETICS AND BREEDING • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Leucine on Browning of Subcutaneous Adipocytes in Yellow Cattle

GUO Yixin1, WANG Zhisheng1*, HU Rui1, WANG Junmei1, WANG Sen1, SHI Liyuan1, ZHANG Xiaohong1, ZOU Huawei1, ZUO Jiaxue2, PENG Quanhui1, XUE Bai1, WANG Lizhi1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of University in Cattle Low Carbon Breeding and Safety Production in Sichuan Province, Low Carbon Breeding Innovation Team for Beef Cattle, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China;
    2. Lincang Animal Husbandry Technology Promotion Station, Lincang 677099, China
  • Received:2022-12-29 Online:2023-08-23 Published:2023-08-22

Abstract: This experiment was conducted to isolate subcutaneous preadipocytes from yellow cattle and study the effect of leucine on browning white adipocytes and lipid metabolism. Preadipocytes were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of 4 3-year-old healthy male yellow cattle ((351.7±42.5) kg), mixed and added with different concentrations of leucine (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mmol·L-1) at the differentiation D 6-D 9 (n=6). RT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of key browning genes to select leucine concentrations that induce browning, and follow-up experiments were executed to set the control group (CON) and optimal concentration leucine addition group (Leu) (n=6). RT-PCR was used to detect the key mitochondrial biosynthesis genes expression, mtDNA copy number and genes expression related to lipid metabolism. The expression of key proteins of browning as well as pathway proteins were detected by Western Blot. Intracellular mitochondrial content and lipid droplet morphology were detected by Mito-tracker Green staining and Oil Red O staining, respectively.The results showed that subcutaneous preadipocytes were isolated and differentiated into mature adipocytes successfully. 4 mmol·L-1 leucine significantly increased the relative mRNA expression of browning marker factors UCP1, PRDM16 and TMEM26 and key genes of mitochondrial biosynthesis SIRT1, TFAM and NRF1/2, and increased the protein expression of UCP1, CD137 and SIRT1 in adipocytes (P<0.01). Leucine significantly increased the mtDNA copy number and mitochondrial content (P<0.01), decreased the intracellular ATP content (P<0.05). Leucine induced the transformation of lipid droplets from large single-compartment to small multi-compartment and decreased intracellular triglyceride content (P<0.01). Leucine decreased the expression of lipid synthesis genes ACC and FAS, while promoting the expression of lipolysis genes ATGL and HSL and fatty acid β-oxidation genes PPARα, CPT1 and ACOX1 (P<0.01). Leucine also significantly upregulated protein expression levels of p-AMPKα/AMPKα and PGC1α (P<0.01). In conclusion, leucine promotes browning and mitochondrial biosynthesis in preadipocytes, promotes lipolysis and inhibits lipid synthesis, reduces lipid deposition, and upregulates the protein expression of p-AMPKα/AMPKα and PGC1α.

Key words: leucine, yellow cattle, primary adipocytes, browning, mitochondrial biosynthesis

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