Research Article Details
Article ID: | A15041 |
PMID: | 29121861 |
Source: | BMC Genomics |
Title: | Transcriptomics, metabolomics and histology indicate that high-carbohydrate diet negatively affects the liver health of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Global trend of the introduction of high levels of relatively cheap carbohydrates to reduce the amount of costly protein in the aquatic animal feed production has affected the aquaculture of an economically important cyprinid fish, blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). This dietary shift has resulted in increased prevalence of metabolic disorders, often causing economic losses. High dietary intake of carbohydrates, associated with obesity, is one of the major causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans. RESULTS: We have conducted an eight-week feeding trial to better understand how a high-carbohydrate diet (HCBD) affects the liver health in this fish. Hepatosomatic index and lipid content were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the HCBD group. Histology results also suggested pathological changes in the livers of HCBD group, with excessive lipid accumulation and indication of liver damage. Metabolomics and serum biochemistry analyses showed that a number of metabolites indicative of liver damage were increased in the HCBD group. This group also exhibited low levels of betaine, which is a metabolite crucial for maintaining the healthy liver functions. Transcriptomic and qPCR analyses indicated that HCBD had a strong impact on the expression of a large number of genes associated with the NAFLD and insulin signalling pathways, which may lead to the development of insulin resistance in hepatocytes, pathological liver changes, and eventually the NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptomics, metabolomics and histology results all indicate early symptoms of liver damage. However whether these would actually lead to the development of NAFLD after a longer period of time, remains inconclusive. Additionally, a very high number of upregulated genes in the HCBD group associated with several neurodegenerative diseases is a strong indication of neurodegenerative changes caused by the high-carbohydrate diet in blunt snout bream. This suggests that fish might present a good model to study neurodegenerative changes associated with high-carbohydrate diet in humans. |
DOI: | 10.1186/s12864-017-4246-9 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D032 | Betaine | Chemical drug | DB06756 | DNMTs stimulant | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |