Metabolomic analysis of plasma and intramuscular adipose tissue between Wagyu and Holstein cattle

Abstract

In this experiment, we studied the effects of breed differences in intramuscular adipogenic capacity on the metabolomic profiles of plasma and intramuscular adipose tissue between Wagyu (high intramuscular adipogenic capacity) and Holstein (low intramuscular adipogenic capacity) using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS). We showed that the intramuscular fat content, intramuscular adipocyte size and the expression of adipogenic transcription factor (C/EBPβ and C/EBPα) of Wagyu were significantly higher than those of Holstein.Metabolites detected at significantly higher levels in Wagyu plasma were related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, lipid synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, diabetes, and glucose homeostasis. In contrast, metabolites detected at significantly higher levels in Holstein plasma were related to choline metabolism, the ethanolamine pathway, glutathione homeostasis, nucleic acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Metabolites detected at significantly higher levels in Holstein intramuscular adipose tissue were related to nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, amino sugar metabolism, beta oxidation, and the ethanolamine pathway. There were no metabolites significantly higher levels in Wagyu intramuscular adipose tissue. These results indicate candidate biomarkers of breed differences in intramuscular adipogenic capacity between Wagyu and Holstein.

Intramuscular adipogenesis in cattle: Effects of body fat distribution and macrophage infiltration

“…These results suggest that plasma metabolites detected by metabolome analysis reflect the breed differences of body fat contents between Wagyu and Holsteins. We also showed that the intramuscular adipose tissue metabolites detected at significantly different levels between Wagyu and Holsteins were associated with the hepatic steatosis and muscular dystrophies reported in humans (Yamada et al, 2022). Deposition of adipose tissue within skeletal muscle and liver are categorized as ectopic fat (Després et al, 2008;Després & Lemieux, 2006).…”

“…We hypothesized that the differences of intramuscular adipogenic capacity between Wagyu and Holstein would affect the metabolomic profiles of plasma and intramuscular adipose tissue. We showed that the plasma metabolites detected at significantly different levels between Wagyu and Holsteins were associated with the obesity and obesity‐associated phenotypes (tricarboxylic acid cycle, lipid synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, diabetes, and glucose homeostasis) reported in humans (Yamada et al, 2022). Body fat contents of Wagyu were higher than that of Holsteins (Matsuzaki et al, 1997; Yamada et al, 2009).…”

“…Wagyu cattle is also characterized by the ability to accumulate higher amount of body fat than Holsteins (Matsuzaki et al, 1997; Yamada et al, 2009). We showed that the expressions of adipogenic transcription factors C/EBPβ and C/EBPα genes in intramuscular adipose tissue of Wagyu were significantly higher than Holsteins (Yamada et al, 2022). C/EBP family positively regulates adipocyte differentiation during adipogenesis cycle (Rosen & Spiegelman, 2000).…”

Comprehensive Analysis of the Longissimus Dorsi Transcriptome and Metabolome Reveals the Regulatory Mechanism of Different Varieties of Meat Quality

“…Certain metabolites in the TCA cycle increase the IMF content in Wagyu cattle. 35 The key metabolites enriched in these pathways revealed that 3-iodo-L-tyrosine is higher in the Wagyu cross F1 generation and Pingliang Red Cattle. It can stimulate the production of thyroid hormones, which stimulate the expression of fatty acid biosynthetic pathways such as acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and fatty acid synthase in the liver, resulting in higher UFA in Wagyu cross F1 generation and Pingliang Red Cattle.…”

“…The KEGG analysis revealed that compared to the Simmental cattle, tyrosine metabolism, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, thyroid hormone synthesis, and citrate cycle (TCA cycle) were significantly enriched metabolic pathways in the Pingliang Red Cattle and Wagyu cross F1 generation. Certain metabolites in the TCA cycle increase the IMF content in Wagyu cattle . The key metabolites enriched in these pathways revealed that 3-iodo- l -tyrosine is higher in the Wagyu cross F1 generation and Pingliang Red Cattle.…”