Liver and muscle proteolytic activity in male growing rats fed a field bean (Vicia faba L.) diet

Total liver cathepsin A and D and gastrocnemius acid proteolytic activities have been evaluated in male growing rats fed ad libitum over periods of 15 and 30 days on 20%-protein diets containing either casein or raw field bean (Vicia faba L.) as protein sources. It has been found that, compared to the control casein-fed rats, those fed the legume diet exhibited a marked reduction (p less than 0.05) in the rate of growth and protein efficiency rate; liver proteolytic activity increased with ageing in the two dietary treatments and was found to be significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in the legume-fed rats. However, muscle proteolytic activity decreased with ageing and proved significantly increased (p less than 0.05) in the legume-fed rats.     

Liver and muscle proteolytic activity in field bean (Vicia faba L.) fed birds. Effect of vitamin E

Liver and muscle proteolytic activities (cathepsin A and D) were measured in growing male chickens fed ad libitum over periods of 30 and 60 days on 20% protein diets containing either heated soybean (HSB, control) or raw field bean (RFB, Vicia faba L.) as the main sources of protein. Vitamin E (250 mg/100 g diet) was added or not to the RFB diet. It has been found that in comparison to control HSB-fed animals, RFB-fed birds showed a significant reduction in the rate of growth, together with a significant increase in the activities of both cathepsins A and D in liver and muscle. The addition of vitamin E to the RFB diet had no significant effect on either weight gain or liver and muscle proteolytic activities. The possible nature of these effects is discussed.     

Muscle and liver protein metabolism in rats fed raw or heat-treated pea seeds

Raw or extruded pea (Pisum sativum, cv. Ballet) diets with or without supplementary amino acids were fed for 15 days to young growing rats and the effects on tissue weights, liver and muscle protein metabolism and hormone levels monitored. Body weight gain, liver and gastrocnemius muscle weights and protein contents were reduced and some key hormones altered when rats were fed unsupplemented raw pea diets. This appeared to be a result of amino acid deficiencies in the diet, the action of antinutritional factors and the refractory nature of the reserve proteins and other seed components. However, this did not in itself improve the nutritional performance of the rats due to the overriding effects of the amino acid deficiencies in the pea diets. After supplementation, extruded peas supported much higher rates of growth and skeletal muscle deposition than did supplemented raw peas. Despite this, the weight gains remained less than achieved on a high quality control diet. Protein synthesis and degradation rates in skeletal muscles and total protein contents were similar to control values. The lower growth rate did not appear to be due to impaired deposition of skeletal muscle. Deposition of other body components, possibly lipids, may have been lowered by supplemented extruded pea diets. Liver protein levels were reduced in rats fed supplemented raw peas and blood corticosterone was elevated. In conclusion, extrusion treatment of peas in combination with amino acid supplementation appeared to abolish the negative effects of peas on skeletal muscle deposition.     

Liver proteolytic activity in growing male chickens fed a raw field bean (Vicia faba L.) diet

As compared to well-nourished chickens, a significant reduction (p less than 0.05) in the rate of growth, along with a significant increase (p less than 0.05) in liver activities of both cathepsin A and D has been found in growing male chickens fed ad libitum over a period of 60 days on a diet containing raw field bean (Vicia faba L.) as the main source of protein. Moreover, addition of methionine (250 mg/100 g diet) to the legume diet had no significant effect in restoring either rate of growth or liver proteolytic activity. The possible nature of these findings are briefly discussed.     

Muscle cell growth in protein deficient rats following administration of sheep red blood cells.

In order to observe the effects of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) administration on the muscle cell growth in malnourished states, adult male Wistar rats (135 +/- 10 g 10 animals per group) subjected during 30 days to 1% and 10% protein diets, were injected (i.v.) either 15.5 x 10(8) sheep red blood cells or 0.5 ml saline/100 g b.w. after 20 days of experiment. On the 10th day after injection the animals were sacrificed and the gastrocnemius muscle was removed, weighed and homogenized. The supernatant fluids were used to evaluate muscle protein, DNA and RNA rates and acid DNase activity. All parameters were depleted in malnourished rats, indicating a muscle cellular atrophy as well as a decrease in muscle protein synthesis per DNA-unit. Muscle hyperplasia and hypertrophy were found in antigenically stimulated rats fed 10% protein against non-stimulated control. In contrast, muscle growth in protein-deficient rats SRBC-treated was unmodified when compared to non-stimulated malnourished muscle, although RNA functionality seems to be enhanced (RNA/DNA). These data suggest that a redistribution of essential nutrients occurred for muscle growth adaptation rather than for defensive mechanism.     

The effects of endotoxaemia on protein metabolism in skeletal muscle and liver of fed and fasted rats.

The response of muscle and liver protein metabolism to either a single or three successive daily injections of an endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, serotype 0127 B8; 1 mg/ml, 0.3 mg/100 g body wt.) was studied in vivo in the fed rat, and at 24 and 30 h after endotoxin treatment during fasting. In the fed rats there was a catabolic response in muscle, owing to a 60-100% increase in muscle protein degradation rate, and a 52% fall in the synthesis rate. Although there was a 20% decrease in food intake, the decrease in protein synthesis was to some extent independent of this, since rats treated with endotoxin and fasted also showed a lower rate of muscle protein synthesis, which was in excess of the decrease caused by fasting alone. The mechanism of this decreased protein synthesis involved decreased translational activity, since in both fed and fasted rats there was a decreased rate of synthesis per unit of RNA. This occurred despite the fact that insulin concentrations were either maintained or increased, in the fasted rats, to those observed in fed rats. In the liver total protein mass was increased in the fed rats by 16% at 24 h, and the fractional synthesis rate at that time was increased by 35%. In rats fasted after endotoxin treatment the liver protein mass was not decreased as it was in the control fasted rats, and the fractional synthesis rate was increased by 22%. In both cases the increased synthesis rate reflected an elevated hepatic RNA concentration. The extent of this increase in hepatic protein synthesis was sufficient at one point to compensate for the fall in estimated muscle protein synthesis, so that the sum total in the two tissues was maintained.     

Effect of Triton WR-1339 on the rates of synthesis and degradation of hepatic catalase of rat.

The effect of Triton WR-1339 on the rates of synthesis and degradation of hepatic catalase was examined. Triton WR-1339 was injected intraperitoneally into rats at a dose of 200 mg per 100 g body weight. Catalase activity decreased to about 35% of that of the control at 42-48 h after the injection and recovered to the normal level at 96 h. Other peroxisomal enzymes, D-amino acid oxidase and urate oxidase, showed similar patterns of the activities to those of catalase. During the first 48 h after the injection of Triton WR-1339, the rate of catalase synthesis (ks) fell to below a detectable value, while that of the degradation (kd) did not show any significant change. On the other hand, during the period 48-96 h after the injection, the rate of the synthesis (ks) returned to the normal level though that of the degradation (kd) decreased to about 50% of the control.     

Excessive Energy Intake Does Not Modify Fed‐state Tissue Protein Synthesis Rates in Adult Rats

The impact of chronic excessive energy intake on protein metabolism is still controversial. Male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum during 5 weeks with either a high‐fat high‐sucrose diet (HF: n = 9) containing 45% of total energy as lipids (protein 14%; carbohydrate 40% with 83.5% sucrose) or a standard diet (controls: n = 10). Energy intake and body weight were recorded. At the end of the experiment, we measured body composition, metabolic parameters (plasma amino acid, lipid, insulin, and glucose levels), inflammatory parameter (plasma α2‐macroglobulin), oxidative stress parameters (antioxidant enzyme activities, lipoperoxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl content in liver and muscle), and in vivo fed–state fractional protein synthesis rates (FSRs) in muscle and liver. Energy intake was significantly higher in HF compared with control rats (+28%). There were significant increases in body weight (+8%), body fat (+21%), renal (+41%), and epidydimal (+28%) fat pads in HF compared with control rats. No effect was observed in other tissue weights (liver, muscle, spleen, kidneys, intestine). Liver and muscle FSRs, plasma levels of lipids, glucose, insulin and α2‐macroglobulin, soleus and liver glutathione reductase and peroxidase acitivities, MnSOD activity, LPO, and protein carbonyl content were not altered by the HF diet. Only soleus muscle and liver Cu/ZnSOD activity and soleus muscle catalase activities were reduced in HF rats compared with control rats. Thus, chronic excessive energy intake and increased adiposity, in the absence of other metabolic alterations, do not stimulate fed‐state tissue protein synthesis rates.     

Adipose tissue compensates for defect of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase induced in liver and muscle by dietary fish oil in fed rats

The present work aimed to study in rats whether substitution of a low level of fish oil (FO; 2.2% of calories) into a low-fat diet (6.6% of calories from fat as peanut-rape oil or control diet) 1) has a tissue-specific effect on insulin signaling pathway and 2) prevents dexamethasone-induced alteration of insulin signaling in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Sixteen rats were used for study of insulin signaling, and sixteen rats received an oral glucose load (3 g/kg). Eight rats/group consumed control diet or diet containing FO over 5 wk. Four rats from each group received a daily intraperitoneal injection of saline or dexamethasone (1 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) for the last 5 days of feeding. In liver, FO decreased phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI 3'-kinase) activity by 54% compared with control diet. A similar result was obtained in muscle. In both liver and muscle, FO clearly amplified the effect of dexamethasone. FO did not alter early steps of insulin signaling, and in muscle GLUT4 protein content remained unaltered. In adipose tissue, FO increased PI 3'-kinase activity by 74%, whereas dexamethasone decreased it by 65%; inhibition of PI 3'-kinase activity by dexamethasone was similar in rats fed FO or control diet, and GLUT4 protein content was increased by 61% by FO. Glycemic and insulinemic responses to oral glucose were not modified by FO. In conclusion, FO increased PI 3'-kinase activity in adipose tissue while inhibiting it in liver and muscle. The maintenance of whole body glucose homeostasis suggests an important role of adipose tissue for control of glucose homeostasis.     

黄颡鱼饲料中添加谷胱甘肽降低藻毒素毒性作用的研究

通过60d的生长实验研究饲料中不同含量的谷胱甘肽(GSH)对黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Richardson)摄食含蓝藻粉饲料后的毒性保护作用。共配制6种近似等氮等能(粗蛋白45%,总能19.5kJ/g)的实验饲料。以不添加蓝藻粉、不添加GSH的饲料组作为正对照,其他5种饲料均添加7.5%的藻粉,微囊藻毒素(Microc ystins,MCs)含量约为58μg/g,GSH添加量分别为:0(负对照)、200、500、800和1400mg/kg。实验结果表明,第1至第30天时,负对照组与正对照组实验鱼的摄食率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。第31至第60天时,负对照组实验鱼的摄食率显著高于正对照和其他GSH添加组(P0.05),但各GSH添加组肾脏中GSH显著低于正对照而高于负对照(P<0.05)。200、500和800mg/kg GSH添加组肝脏和肌肉中丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于负对照(P<0.05)。在整个实验期间,随着饲料中GSH含量的增加,肝脏、肾脏、全肠和肌肉中微囊藻毒素含量先显著下降,当GSH添加量为500和800mg/kg时达到稳定,直至GSH添加量为1400mg/kg时显著上升。根据对黄颡鱼增重,肝脏和肌肉中MDA的含量以及组织中毒素的分析,在饲料中添加500-800mg/kg GSH可以有效缓解黄颡鱼饲料中微囊藻毒素的毒性。       

Anabolic actions of a mixed beta-adrenergic agonist on nitrogen retention and protein turnover.

Subcutaneous administration of a mixed beta-agonist induced increases in muscle (+13%) and heart (+17%) weights, which were accompanied by a reduction in back (-13%) and perirenal (-27%) fat stores in young male rats, while no changes in liver were observed. The values of nitrogen retention (mg/day) were significantly higher in the beta-agonist treated animals (+16%) as well as those of muscle DNA content (+8%). On the other hand, no statistically significant changes in muscle protein synthetic activity (g protein synthetized/g RNA) were detected (control: 13.4 vs treated: 14.6), while muscle proteolytic activity was decreased (-9%) in those rats administered with the repartitioning agent. In this context, it is suggested that the anabolic effect of metaproterenol should be attributed to a reduction in muscle protein degradation rather than to changes in protein synthesis.     

Changes in enzymatic activity of small intestine and kidney of rats by a methionine deficient diet

The effect of methionine dietary deficiency on food intake, weight gain, liver and kidney weight, feed conversion rate, protein efficiency ratio, maltase and leucineaminopeptidase (LAPase) activities of the intestinal mucosa as well as renal LAPase activity was studied. Three groups of female Wistar rats, weighing between 40-60 g, were fed for 25 days on either Diet A (casein supplemented with 0.6% DL-methionine), Diet B (amino acid mixture simulating casein also supplemented with 0.6% methionine) or Diet C (amino acid mixture with 0.67% methionine deficiency with respect to Diet A). The results show no significant differences in either growth or enzymatic activity between the rats fed on Diet A and those on Diet B. The animals fed on Diet C show an increase in intestinal (P less than 0.01, vs Diet B) and renal (P less than 0.005, vs Diet A) LAPase activity, although intestinal maltase activity remained unchanged. Food intake, weight gain, organ weight and nutritional parameters obtained in rats fed on Diet C showed no statistically significant changes, with the exception of kidney weight which decreased (P less than 0.005) when compared to those fed on Diet B.     

Maslinic acid added to the diet increases growth and protein-turnover rates in the white muscle of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Maslinic acid (2-alpha, 3-beta-dihydroxiolean-12-en-28-oic acid) is a triterpenoid compound present in fruit and leaves of Olea europaea that can be used as an additive in the diet of trout. The present work investigates the effects of maslinic acid on growth, protein-turnover rates and nucleic acid concentration in trout white muscle. Five groups of 180 trout of a mean body mass of 20 g were fed for 225 days with diets containing 0, 1, 5, 25 and 250 mg of maslinic acid per kg of diet. At the end of the experiment, white-muscle weight and protein-accumulation rate of trout fed with maslinic acid were higher than in control. The total content of DNA, RNA, and protein in trout fed with 25 and 250 mg of maslinic acid kg(-1) were significantly higher than in control. The protein:DNA ratio was also slightly higher than control. In the same groups of trout, fractional (K(S)) and absolute (A(S)) protein-synthesis rates increased to more than 80% over the control values while no differences were found in the fractional protein-degradation rate (K(D)). These results, similar to previous findings in liver, show that maslinic acid can act as a growth factor when added to a standard trout diet.     

Effect of Feeding Millet (Sorghum vulgarie) Protein on Growth,Nucleic Acids and Proteins of Liver and Plasma of Rats

Effect of feeding millet (Sorghum vulgarie) at 5, 10 and 15 per cent protein levels respectively for a period of six weeks to rats on their liver DNA, RNA and proteins of liver, its subcellular fractions and plasma has been studied, and results compared with rats fed casein at 10 per cent level. Both liver DNA and RNA of rats fed millet at 5 per cent protein level were significantly increased. Liver proteins (mg/l00 g body weight) of rats fed millet at 5 and 10 per cent protein level were significantly increased and plasma proteins decreased. Incorporation of leucine-I-¹⁴C into both liver and plasma proteins of rats fed millet was significantly higher than the control.     

Muscle hypertrophy in rats fed on a buckwheat protein extract.

Growing rats were examined for the influence of a buckwheat protein diet on muscle weight and protein. In experiment 1, the rats were fed on a diet containing either casein or a buckwheat protein extract (BWPE) as the protein source (10%, 20% or 30%) for 5 wk. The relative weights (g per kg of body wt) of the gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles were higher in the BWPE-fed animals than in the casein-fed ones, but were unaffected by the dietary level of protein. These differences were not associated with growth. In experiment 2, the rats were fed on either a casein or BWPE diet at the 20% protein level for 5 wk. BWPE intake significantly elevated the gastrocnemius muscle weight, carcass protein and water, and reduced carcass fat. These results demonstrate that BWPE consumption causes muscle hypertrophy, elevates carcass protein and water, and reduces body fat.     

Determination of relative protein degradation activity at different life stages in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout were reared from 5 g to ~ 400 g on a diet formulated to supply the required protein from either fishmeal or plant proteins. The fish were sampled at every weight doubling and liver and muscle samples were obtained. From these tissue samples RNA and protein were isolated and analyzed for the expression of a number of muscle regulatory and protein degradation genes and enzymatic activity for proteins involved in the caspase, calpain, and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways for protein proteolysis. Only MyoD2 showed significant differences in expression between the two diets, while no significant changes over the course of the experiment were determined for MyoD2 or the other muscle factors. For the degradation genes significant changes in expression were determined for calpain1 and calpastatin. Calpastatin also showed a significant increase in expression over the course of the experiment in the muscle of fish fed a fishmeal diet and significant decrease in expression in the liver of fish fed the fishmeal based diet. Differences in proteasome enzyme activity were found between diets in the liver and muscle of fish and for caspase-3 activity in muscle. Significant changes in activity over the course of the experiment were noted for proteasome and calpain activity in the liver and muscle. These findings suggest that diets replacing fishmeal with plant material can have some effects on protein turnover in muscle and that some degradation pathways are differentially regulated during the growth of rainbow trout.     

Effect of structured lipid-enriched total parenteral nutrition in rats bearing yoshida sarcoma

The efficacy of structured lipid, a triacylglycerol of medium and long chain fatty acids, as an element of nutritional support therapies in cancer cachexia was investigated. Using the Yoshida sarcoma to induce cachexia, male Sprague Dawley rats (90 g) were injected subcutaneously with tumor cells (n = 17) or sterile saline (n = 16). Seven days later, rats were randomized to two intravenous diets for 3 days at 220 kcal/kg body weight/d, including 2 g nitrogen/kg body weight/d and 39% of total calories as either structured lipid or long chain triglyceride. Nitrogen balance, tumor growth rate, energy metabolism, and plasma albumin and free fatty acid levels were measured, and whole-body protein kinetics and liver, muscle, and tumor fractional protein synthetic rates were evaluated by adding (14)C-leucine to the diet during the last 4 hours of feeding. Nitrogen balance improved (P < .05) in both tumor and control rats receiving structured lipid-enriched total parenteral nutrition, and was also greater in tumor rats compared with controls. There were no differences in tumor growth or protein kinetics between diet groups. Albumin was lower (P < .05) in tumor rats, but significantly higher in both tumor and control rats given structured lipid-enriched total parenteral nutrition. Free fatty acid was significantly higher in tumor rats versus controls. Whole-body protein kinetics were similar among the four groups. Liver weight, liver weight to body weight ratio, and liver protein synthetic rate were higher in tumor rats. Also, liver weight to body weight ratio was lower in tumor and control animals given structured lipid-enriched total parenteral nutrition. Muscle protein synthetic rate was significantly lower in tumor rats, but higher in tumor and control rats given long chain triglyceride-enriched total parenteral nutrition. The nutritional benefits of structured lipid-enriched total parenteral nutrition favor support of host tissue without promoting tumor growth.     

Dietary γ-aminobutyric acid affects the brain protein synthesis rate in young rats

Summary. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) affects the rate of brain protein synthesis in male rats. Two experiments were done on five or three groups of young rats (5 wk) given the diets containing 20% casein administrated 0 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg or 200 mg/100 g body weight GABA dissolved in saline by oral gavage for 1 day (d) (Experiment 1), and given the diets contained 0%, 0.25% or 0.5% GABA added to the 20% casein diet (Experiment 2) for 10 d. The plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH) was the highest in rats administrated 50 mg and 100 mg/100 g body weight GABA. The concentration of serum GABA increased significantly with the supplementation groups. The fractional (Ks) rates of protein synthesis in brain regions, liver and gastrocnemius muscle increased significantly with the 20% casein + 0.25% GABA diet and still more 20% casein + 0.5% GABA compared with the 20% casein diet. In brain regions, liver and gastrocnemius muscle, the RNA activity [g protein synthesized/(g RNA·d)] significantly correlated with the fractional rate of protein synthesis. The RNA concentration (mg RNA/g protein) was not related to the fractional rate of protein synthesis in any organ. Our results suggest that the treatment of GABA to young male rats are likely to increase the concentrations of plasma GH and the rate of protein synthesis in the brain, and that RNA activity is at least partly related to the fractional rate of brain protein synthesis.     

Changes in rates of tissue protein synthesis in rats induced in vivo by consumption of kidney bean lectins

1. Plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles from rats fed a diet containing raw kidney beans lost proportionately more weight and protein than muscles from rats fed a protein free diet, resulting in a progressive reduction in the ratio muscle mass: body weight over a period of 6 days. Rates of muscle protein synthesis were also lower in rats fed raw beans.2. Destruction of the bean lectins by boiling abolished both these effects.3. Two hours after administration of a single dose of purified kidney bean lectin, rates of protein synthesis were unchanged in the muscle and liver but were increased in the gut mucosa.     

共轭亚油酸对草鱼肝脏和肌肉组织的细胞学形态、抗氧化能力以及脂肪代谢相关基因表达的影响

采用65d的生长实验研究共轭亚油酸(CLA)对草鱼肝脏和肌肉细胞学形态、抗氧化能力以及脂肪代谢相关基因表达的影响。共配制7种近似等氮(粗蛋白: 36 g/100 g)等脂(粗脂肪: 4.5 g/100 g)的饲料: 0 (对照组)、0.5 (CLA0.5)、1 (CLA1)、1.5 (CLA1.5)、2 (CLA2)、2.5 (CLA2.5)和3 g/100 g CLA (CLA3)。每个饲料组均设置3个生物学重复,实验鱼初始体重约为(5.08±0.08) g。实验结果显示:与对照组相比,CLA0.5-CLA2.5组草鱼肝脏和肌肉组织细胞学形态均无明显异常,但CLA3组肝细胞线粒体空泡化,内质网肿胀,排列过于紧密;肌细胞肌节结构松散,肌原纤维降解;在CLA1.5-CLA2.5组肝脏和肌肉中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活力均显著上升(P<0.05);在CLA1.5-CLA3组中肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),但谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活力无显著变化(P>0.05),且在CLA0.5-CLA3组中肌肉CAT和GR活力均无显著变化(P>0.05)。CLA1.5-CLA2组肝脏中MDA含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而CLA2.5-CLA3组MDA含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。CLA3组肌肉中MDA含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,在CLA1.5-CLA2.5组肝脏和肌肉中乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC) mRNA表达显著下调(P<0.05),脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)、激素敏感性脂肪酶(HSL)和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体α(PPARα)均显著上调表达(P<0.05)。在CLA2-CLA3组肝脏以及CLA1.5-CLA2和CLA3组肌肉中脂肪酸去饱和酶2(FAD2)mRNA显著上调表达(P<0.05)。过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)mRNA在CLA1-CLA3组肝脏中显著下调表达(P<0.05),而其在肌肉中均无显著变化(P>0.05)。综上所述,结合2%CLA在不影响草鱼的生长和饲料利用,且显著降低肝脏脂肪积累,研究结果建议,2% CLA在不影响草鱼肝脏和肌肉组织细胞学形态的前提下,可有效提高其肝脏和肌肉组织抗氧化能力并促进其脂肪分解代谢以及抑制脂肪合成代谢相关基因表达。