Effect of L-arginine on HSP70 expression in liver in weanling piglets

Ruilin Huang,Tiejun Li,Chunyan Xie,Xin Wu,Zeyuan Deng,Yulong Yin,Fengna Li,Zheng Ruan

doi:10.1186/1746-6148-9-63

Abstract

BackgroundThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of L-arginine (Arg) on photomicrographs and HSP70 expression in the liver of weanling piglets. Twelve healthy Landrace × Yorkshire piglets that had been weaned at 21 d (average body weight 5.56 ± 0.51 kg) were randomly divided into a control group and an Arg group (6 g/kg feed). At age 28 d, all of the piglets were slaughtered to obtain liver samples to determine HSP70 expression by real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe results showed that, compared to control piglets, treatment with Arg decreased inflammatory reactions caused by weaning. The immunohistochemical localization of HSP70 in liver revealed strong expression in the Arg group. Arg increased HSP70 mRNA and HSP70 expression in the liver (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that dietary supplementation with Arg could maintain liver health by inducing HSP70 expression in weanling piglets.

Highlights

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of L-arginine (Arg) on photomicrographs and Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in the liver of weanling piglets
Effect of Arg on liver weight and serum biochemical indices The liver tended to be heavy in the Arg group (P = 0.071) (Figure 1)
In the Arg group, inflammatory reactions were decreased and other changes were almost absent in liver sections (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of L-arginine (Arg) on photomicrographs and HSP70 expression in the liver of weanling piglets. Twelve healthy Landrace × Yorkshire piglets that had been weaned at 21 d (average body weight 5.56 ± 0.51 kg) were randomly divided into a control group and an Arg group (6 g/kg feed). As the largest internal organ, the liver is responsible for about 500 vital bodily functions, and plays important roles in digestion and metabolism by regulating the production, storage, and release of sugar, fats, and cholesterol. The liver produces a variety of important proteins, including enzymes, hormones, blood proteins, clotting factors, and immune factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Arg on photomicrographs and HSP70 expression in the liver under weaning stress in piglets

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Conclusion