Protective effects of leucine on redox status and mitochondrial-related gene abundance in the jejunum of intrauterine growth-retarded piglets during early weaning period

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with 0.35% l-leucine on redox status and gene abundance relating to mitochondrial biogenesis and function in the jejunum of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets during early weaning period. According to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 16 IUGR and 16 normal body weight (NBW) piglets were fed a basal diet without l-leucine supplementation or a basal diet plus 0.35% l-leucine supplementation from the age of 14 to 35 d. The results showed that compared with NBW piglets, IUGR piglets had a lower (p < 0.05) jejunal DNA concentration, a reduced (p < 0.05) manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) activities and mitochondrial DNA content in the jejunum. Leucine supplementation increased (p < 0.05) MnSOD and T-AOC activities and decreased (p < 0.05) the malondialdehyde content in the jejunum of IUGR piglets. The mRNA gene abundance of nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), ATP synthase (ATPs), cytochrome c oxidase V (CcOX V), cytochrome c and glucokinase in the jejunum of IUGR piglets was reduced (p < 0.05) compared with NBW piglets. However, NRF1, peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha, TFAM, ATPs and CcOX I mRNA gene abundance in the jejunum of IUGR piglets were increased (p < 0.05) by diets supplemented with leucine. These data indicate that leucine supplementation has therapeutic potential for attenuating intestinal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in IUGR piglets during the early period of life via increasing enzyme activities and up-regulating mRNA gene abundance.

Effects of dietary leucine on antioxidant activity and expression of antioxidant and mitochondrial‐related genes in longissimus dorsi muscle and liver of piglets

“…Additionally, leucine supplementation has also been reported to increase ATP content and mitochondrial biogenesis in mice (Li, Xu, Lee, He, & Xie, 2012) and rats (Sato et al, 2018). Consistent with this, two recent studies found that leucine supplementation increased mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing mitochondrial-related genes expression in the jejunum of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets (Huang et al, 2017;Su et al, 2017). Our data indicated that 0.25% leucine supplementation improved the mitochondrial function.…”

“…In C2C12 cell model, leucine increased the ATP content and mitochondrial biogenesis (Du, Shen, Zhu, & Ford, 2007;Liang et al, 2014). Consistent with this, two recent studies found that leucine supplementation increased mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing mitochondrial-related genes expression in the jejunum of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets (Huang et al, 2017;Su et al, 2017). Consistent with this, two recent studies found that leucine supplementation increased mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing mitochondrial-related genes expression in the jejunum of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets (Huang et al, 2017;Su et al, 2017).…”

“…It should be mentioned that the T-AOC and GST activities in longissimus dorsi muscle returned to as same as control level in the treatment of 0.5% leucine. A study conducted by Huang et al (2017) also suggested that 0.35% leucine treatment increased MnSOD and T-AOC activities and decreased MDA production in the jejunum of IUGR piglets. Results were the mean and standard errors (n = 6).…”

“…Previous studies have also shown that diets supplementation of leucine reduced oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities in the muscle of mice and small intestine of fish (D'Antona et al, 2010;Deng et al, 2014). A study conducted by Huang et al (2017) also suggested that 0.35% leucine treatment increased MnSOD and T-AOC activities and decreased MDA production in the jejunum of IUGR piglets. These data suggest that optimal dietary leucine level has a beneficial effect against oxidative stress.…”

“…Recent studies demonstrated that diets supplementation of leucine attenuated hepatic and intestinal mitochondrial dysfunction in intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets (Huang et al, 2017;Su et al, 2017). However, very little information is available regarding the effect of leucine on mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle of pigs.…”