Research on Lipid Metabolism in Animals

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 1169

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: probiotics; lipid metabolism; animal gut health; pet nutrition

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: microorganisms and biological enzymes; poultry nutrition; nutrition and metabolism of lipid; metabolism and biodegradation of urgent food and feed contaminants
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Guest Editor
Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: antimicrobial peptides

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lipid metabolism is important for animals and can affect the health of animals. For layers, lipid metabolism could affect their egg quality; for broiler and swine, lipid metabolism could affect the quality of meat; for pets, lipid metabolism could affect the obesity status and health. Thus, lipid metabolism and its related metabolites (e.g., bile acid, cholesterol, etc.) are all of great significance for different kinds of animals, and even could affect the gut microbiota of animals.

The Special Issue of Metabolites, entitled “Research on Lipid Metabolism in Animals”, aims to focus on the lipid metabolism for different animals (livestock, aquaculture, and pets), including the interactions between lipid metabolism and gut microbiota and lipid-related metabolic diseases, such as obesity, and related liver diseases. In addition, research on the metabolism of other nutrients in animals is also welcome.

Dr. Bing Han
Dr. Lihong Zhao
Dr. Zhenlong Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • lipid metabolism
  • bile acid
  • gut microbiota
  • obesity
  • meat quality

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2597 KiB  
Article
Effects of Acorns on Subcutaneous Fat Deposition in Yuxi Black Pigs by Transcriptomic Analysis
by Zhe Sun, Dongyang Liu, Siyuan An, Jinzhou Zhang, Lei Lei and Zhiguo Miao
Metabolites 2025, 15(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15020071 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 404
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The backfat thickness of pigs is closely related to dorsal subcutaneous fat deposition and meat quality, and appropriate reduction in backfat thickness is important for improving pork quality. The present study investigated the effect of acorn diet on the backfat thickness and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The backfat thickness of pigs is closely related to dorsal subcutaneous fat deposition and meat quality, and appropriate reduction in backfat thickness is important for improving pork quality. The present study investigated the effect of acorn diet on the backfat thickness and lipase activity of Yuxi black pigs and to gain further insight into the molecular mechanism of the acorn diet on the dorsal subcutaneous fat deposition of Yuxi black pigs by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Methods: Thirty-six Yuxi black pigs with an initial body weight of 99.60 ± 2.32 kg (three replicates per group and six pigs per replicate) were randomly divided into two groups (CON group was fed a basic diet and AEG group was fed 30% acorn diets). Pigs were individually fed twice daily and had access to water ad libitum throughout the experiment. The test period was 4 months. Results: Results showed that backfat thickness and ACC, MDH, and LPL lipase activities were significantly reduced in the AEG group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, RNA-seq identified 826 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 505 up-regulated and 321 down-regulated. The DEGs were significantly enriched in the lipid metabolism process and lipid catabolic process, fatty acid (FA) catabolic process, and FA β-oxidation according to GO enrichment analysis. LEP, CHPT1, UCP3, ACOX1, SCD5, and ACAA1 were screened as key differential genes regulating dorsal subcutaneous fat deposition. Conclusions: The above results indicated that feeding the 30% acorn diet could regulate the expression of genes involved in fat deposition and reduce lipase activity, thereby decreasing the backfat thickness, inhibiting the deposition of dorsal subcutaneous fat, and improving the pork quality. The findings of this experiment established a basis for subsequent research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of acorn diets on fat deposition in Yuxi black pigs and provided the scientific evidence to promote the exploitation and industrialization of acorns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Lipid Metabolism in Animals)
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22 pages, 8916 KiB  
Article
The Positive Regulatory Effect of DBT on Lipid Metabolism in Postpartum Dairy Cows
by Zheng Zhou, Kang Yong, Zhengzhong Luo, Zhenlong Du, Tao Zhou, Xiaoping Li, Xueping Yao, Liuhong Shen, Shumin Yu, Yixin Huang and Suizhong Cao
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010058 - 16 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: The transition from a non-lactating to a lactating state is a critical period for lipid metabolism in dairy cows. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), stimulating energy metabolism, ameliorates diseases related to lipid metabolism disorders and is expected to be an effective supplement for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The transition from a non-lactating to a lactating state is a critical period for lipid metabolism in dairy cows. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), stimulating energy metabolism, ameliorates diseases related to lipid metabolism disorders and is expected to be an effective supplement for alleviating excessive lipid mobilisation in periparturient dairy cows. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplemental DBT on serum biochemical indices, faecal microbial communities, and plasma metabolites in dairy cows. Methods: Thirty cows were randomly divided into three groups: H-DBT group, L-DBT group, and control group. DBT administration was started on the day of calving and continued once daily for seven days. Faecal and blood samples were collected on calving day, 7 days after calving, and 14 days after calving. The levels of serum biochemical indices were measured at three time points in the three groups using commercial kits. Cows in the H-DBT group and control group were selected for metabolome and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Results: Our research shows that, in dairy cows 7 days postpartum, DBT significantly reduced serum 3-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) concentrations and the number of cows with BHB concentrations ≥ 1 mmol/L. Additionally, DBT increased serum total cholesterol contents at both 7 and 14 days postpartum. Analysis of the microbiota community showed that DBT modulated the composition and structure of the hindgut microbiota. Metabolomic analysis revealed decreased plasma acetylcarnitine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, and BHB levels 7 days postpartum, whereas the TCA cycle was enhanced. At 14 days postpartum, DBT altered the plasma bile acid profile, especially glycine-conjugated bile acids, including GCDCA, GUDCA, and GDCA. Correlation analyses showed that the relative abundances of Bacillus, Solibacillus, Dorea, and Romboutsia were strongly correlated with the differential metabolites, which is crucial for the beneficial effects of DBT. Conclusions: DBT improves energy status and lipid metabolism in postpartum dairy cows by modulating hindgut microbiota and serum lipid metabolites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Lipid Metabolism in Animals)
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