Research Article Details
Article ID: | A08353 |
PMID: | 32145306 |
Source: | Life Sci |
Title: | Differential metabolic and hepatic transcriptome responses of two miniature pig breeds to high dietary cholesterol. |
Abstract: | AIMS: Pigs are increasingly used as human metabolic disease models; however, there is insufficient research on breed-related genetic background differences. This study aimed to investigate the differential metabolic responses to high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of two miniature pig breeds and explore the molecular mechanisms involved. MAIN METHODS: Male Wuzhishan (WZSP) and Tibetan pigs (TP) were randomly fed either a standard or an HFC diet for 24 weeks. Weight, serum lipids, bile acid, insulin resistance, liver function, liver histology, and hepatic lipid deposition were determined. RNA-Seq was used to detect the hepatic gene expression profiles. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR were used to detect the lipid and glucose metabolism-related gene expressions. KEY FINDINGS: The HFC diet caused obesity, hypertension, severe hypercholesterolemia, liver injury, increased hepatocellular steatosis and inflammation, and significantly increased serum insulin levels in both pig breeds. This diet led to higher serum and hepatic cholesterol level concentrations in WZSP and elevated fasting glucose levels in TP. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the genes controlling hepatic cholesterol metabolism and the inflammatory response were consistently regulated; lipid metabolism and insulin signaling related genes were uniquely regulated by the HFC diet in the WZSP and TP, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study demonstrated that the genetic background affects profoundly pigs' metabolic and hepatic responses to an HFC diet. These results deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HFC diet-induced NAFLD and provided a foundation for selecting the appropriate pig breeds for metabolic studies in the future. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117514 |

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 |
S02 | Enhance lipid metabolism | triglyceride-lowering; lipid tolerance; lipid metabolism | 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitor; Decreases intestinal cholesterol absorption; FXR agonist; ACC inhibitor; FAS inhibitor; DGAT2 inhibitor; SCD-1 inhibitor | Atorvastatin; Ezetimibe; Obeticholic Acid; GS-9674; GS-0976; TVB-2640; IONIS-DGAT2rx; Aramchol; | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I13 | 3146 | Lipid metabolism disorder | An inherited metabolic disorder that involves the creation and degradation of lipids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_metabolism | disease of metabolism/ inherited metabolic disorder | Details |
I12 | 10763 | Hypertension | An artery disease characterized by chronic elevated blood pressure in the arteries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24352797 | disease of anatomical entity/ cardiovascular system disease/vascular disease/ artery disease | Details |
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |