The Protective Role of Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid on the Growth and Bone Development of Experimentally Induced Perinatal Growth-Retarded Piglets

Abstract

The effect of alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) supplementation to experimentally-induced, perinatal growth-retarded piglets was examined. Sows were treated with a synthetic glucocorticoid (Gc) during the last 25 days of pregnancy, and after the birth, piglets were randomly divided into three groups depending on the treatment. The Gc/Gc + AKG and Gc/AKG groups born by Gc-treated sows after the birth were treated with Gc or Gc + AKG for 35 days. Significantly lower serum growth hormone, IGF-I, osteocalcin, leptin, and cortisol concentrations were observed in the Gc/Gc + AKG group, while the bone alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher. Serum insulin concentration was higher in the control group. Serum alanine, lysine, histidine, and tryptophan concentrations were higher in the Gc/Gc + AKG and Gc/AKG groups. The perinatal action of Gc significantly affects histomorphometry of articular cartilage and trabecular bone and bone mechanics. The results clearly showed that dietary AKG had positive effects with regards to the profile of free amino acids. Taking into account the function of AKG as an energy donor and stimulator of collagen synthesis, it can be concluded that the anabolic role of AKG may be the main mechanism responsible for its protective effect against the GC-induced perinatal intensified catabolic state.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Provide Insights into the Growth and Development Advantages of Triploid Apostichopus japonicus

“…Studies have shown that AKG can promote the synthesis of muscle protein (Pierzynowski and Sjodin 1998). In piglets with slow perinatal growth, AKG as an energy donor can promote bone metabolism (Tomaszewska et al 2021). Arginine is a basic component of various proteins, and its precursor can regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and homeostasis (Bulau et al 2006).…”

Prenatal programming of the small intestine in piglets: the effect of supplementation with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid (HMB) in pregnant sows on the structure of jejunum of their offspring

“…As a result of programming, the metabolic pathways are permanently changed, and the process of adaptation to the new developmental conditions of the fetus must be as quick and efficient as possible, so as not to disturb the entire development of the organism. The effects obtained as a result of the prenatal programming consist in accelerating or inhibiting the development, and somatic and hormonal maturity, which then determine the degree of independence in the postnatal period (Blicharski et al, 2017;Tomaszewska et al, 2020Tomaszewska et al, , 2021. This is especially important at the time of weaning when there is once again a change in the feeding form.…”