Intermittent Bolus Compared with Continuous Feeding Enhances Insulin and Amino Acid Signaling to Translation Initiation in Skeletal Muscle of Pigs Born at Term (P08-071-19)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Our recent study in a piglet model of the human neonate born at full term showed that intermittent bolus feeding promotes greater rates of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle than continuous feeding, leading to an increase in lean growth. This enhanced rate of muscle protein synthesis with intermittent bolus feeding is associated with an increased activation of mTORC1-dependent translation initiation. However, the mechanism underlying this response is unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify the insulin and/or amino acid signaling components involved in the enhanced stimulation of lean growth by intermittent bolus compared to continuous feeding in term-born pigs. Methods Term piglets (2–3 d old) were fed for 21 d an equal amount (240 ml/kg body weight [BW]/d) of sow milk replacer containing 12.8 g protein and 175 kcal/kg BW/d. Feedings were administered by gastrostomy tube either as intermittent bolus meals every 4 h (INT) or by continuous infusion (CON). After 21 d, gastrocnemius muscle was collected from CON, INT-0 (before a meal) and INT-60 (60 min after a meal) groups. Upstream and downstream insulin and amino acid signaling components of relevance to mTORC1 activation and protein translation were measured. Results Phosphorylation of AKT and TCS2 was greater in INT-60 than in INT-0 and CON groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between CON and INT groups in the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and AMPK. The association of Sestrin2, a leucine sensor, with GATOR2 was similar in CON and INT-0 but was lower in INT-60 (P < 0.05). The abundances of RagA-mTOR, RagC-mTOR, and Rheb-mTOR complexes were higher in INT-60 than in CON and INT-0 (P < 0.05). The phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4EBP1 was higher in INT-60 than CON and INT-0 groups (P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of eIF2alpha and eEF2 were not affected by treatments. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that, following a full-term birth, the enhanced rate of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and lean growth with intermittent bolus compared to continuous feeding is at least in part due to the enhanced activation of both insulin and amino acid signaling pathways leading to greater stimulation of translation initiation. Funding Sources NIH HD085573, USDA CRIS 6250-51000-055, NIH HD072891, USDA NIFA 2013-67015-20438.