High-starch Diet Research Articles

Liver proteomics identifies a disconnect between proteins associated with de novo lipogenesis and triglyceride storage

De novo lipogenesis (DNL) has been implicated in the development and progression of liver steatosis. Hepatic DNL is strongly influenced by dietary macronutrient composition with diets high in carbohydrate increasing DNL and while diets high in fat decrease DNL. The enzymes in the core DNL pathway have been well characterised, however less is known about other liver proteins that play accessory or regulatory roles. In the current study, we associate measured rates of hepatic DNL and fat content with liver proteomic analysis in mice to identify known and unknown proteins that may have a role in DNL. Male mice were fed either a standard chow diet, a semi-purified high starch or high fat diet. Both semi-purified diets resulted in increased body weight, fat mass and liver triglyceride content compared to chow controls and hepatic DNL was increased in the high starch and decreased in high fat fed mice. Proteomic analysis identified novel proteins associated with DNL that are involved in taurine metabolism, suggesting a link between these pathways. There was no relationship between proteins that associated with DNL and those associated with liver triglyceride content. Further analysis identified proteins that are differentially regulated when comparing a non-purified chow diet to either of the semi-purified diets which provide a set of proteins that are influenced by dietary complexity. Finally, we compared the liver proteome between 4- and 30-week diet-fed mice and found remarkable similarity suggesting metabolic remodelling of the liver occurs rapidly in response to differing dietary components.

Comparing effects of high starch diet or high lipid diet supplemented with different levels of zinc on intestinal barrier and microbe community in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

Zinc is essential for normal growth and reproduction in all animals and plays a crucial role in many biological processes. The present study aimed to compare the intervention effects of zinc on intestinal health in a high lipid diet or high starch diet. Seven iso-nitrogenous (∼520 g kg−1) diets were formulated containing a positive control diet (115 g kg−1 lipid + 115 g kg−1 starch + 20 mg kg−1 Zn), three high starch diets (HS, 166 g kg−1 starch) and three high lipid diets (HL, 182 g kg−1 lipid), with 0 (HS-LZn, HL-LZn), 20 (HS-MZn, HL-MZn) and 150 (HS-HZn, HL-HZn) mg kg−1 Zn being supplemented. High starch diet and high lipid diet promoted feed efficiency, as evidenced by the lower feed conversion ratio. Three-way factorial ANOVA analysis showed high starch diet (166 g kg−1) significantly decreased final body weight and weight gain compared to the normal starch level (115 g kg−1). Diamine oxidase in serum significantly increased in diets HS-LZn and HL-LZn. In addition, distal intestinal mucosal fold damage and inflammatory infiltration were observed in the HS-LZn, HS-HZn, HL-LZn and HL-HZn groups. Fish fed HL diets (HL-LZn, HL-MZn, HL-HZn) showed lower expressions of claudin 5 and claudin 34, and higher IgD and IgM. Diets HL-LZn and HL-MZn significantly up-regulated C4 and C7. Proinflammatory cytokines including il8, il1β and tnfα significantly up-regulated in diet HL-LZn, even higher than the HS-LZn. Intestinal microbial composition indicated the abundance of Cetobacterium in HL-LZn was significantly higher than the control and HL-MZn diets. Similarly, LEfSe showed that Cetobacterium (P = 0.039) significantly enriched in the HL-LZn group. This study clarified high energy diet induced intestinal damage, which can be alleviated by zinc.

Effects of monensin and a blend of magnesium oxide on performance, feeding behavior, and rumen morphometrics of Zebu beef cattle fed high-starch diets

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a blend of different sources of magnesium oxide associated or not with monensin, on productive, ruminal, and nutritional parameters of steers. Eighty-four Nellore steers with an initial body weight (BW) of 367.3 ± 37.9 kg were allocated to one of 28 pens, with three steers per pen. Each pen was considered an experimental unit, and using a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, the following treatments were assigned to each pen: (1) Control (CON) – a basal diet without additive inclusion; (2) Magnesium oxide blend (MG) – basal diet plus a magnesium-based product (pHix-up®, Timab Magnesium, Dinard, France) provided at 0.50% of dry matter (DM); (3) Monensin (MON) – basal diet plus 25 mg/ kg of DM of sodium monensin (Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN); and (4) MG association with MON – basal diet plus MG + MON, at the same doses of the individual treatments. The experimental period lasted 100 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 13, and 70 to determine D-lactate levels. Daily feed intake was recorded, and animal ingestive behavior was visually observed on days 66 and 67. On day 70, skeletal muscle tissue samples were obtained through biopsy for gene expression analysis. At the end of the experimental period, carcass ultrasonography was conducted. Subsequently, the steers were slaughtered, and rumen epithelium samples were collected for morphometric analysis. The use of monensin, of magnesium oxide blend, and their interactions, were treated as fixed effects, while the pens were considered as a random effect. Statistical differences were considered when P < 0.05. Steers fed MG-containing diets consumed approximately 0.6 kg more dry matter per day than those fed diets without this additive (P = 0.01; 11.3 vs. 11.9 kg/day). The inclusion of MG in the diet increased (P = 0.02) the average daily gain (ADG). There was a greater Longissimus muscle area (LMA) and LMA per 100 kg of body weight (BW) (P ≤ 0.03) for steers-fed diets with MG. Steers fed MON exhibited reduced mRNA expression of the Atrogin-1 and mTOR compared to steers fed MG + MON diets (MON × MG: P ≤ 0.04). Steers fed MON had 6.9% greater feed efficiency (P = 0.02). Papillae width was lesser for CON than other treatments (MON × MG: P = 0.02). In conclusion, the magnesium oxide blend improved performance and carcass traits in high-energy feedlot diets, while monensin enhanced feed efficiency, suggesting potential for their use as alternatives or complements in beef cattle nutrition.

The effect of the fat to starch ratio in young horses' diet on plasma metabolites, muscle endurance and fear responses.

High-starch diets may affect equine hindgut microbiota and increase blood glucose levels, which may cause unwanted physiological changes, but may also elicit behavioural changes such as increased fear reactions. The purpose of the current study was to feed a high starch (300) and low fat (43; HS_LF) or a low starch (60) and high fat (85; LS_HF, g/kg of DM) concentrate within the available commercial range and investigate how muscle endurance and fear reactions of horses respond to different diets. Twenty Danish Warmblood stallions (4 years) were randomly allocated to two treatments: LS_HF (n = 10) and HS_LF (n = 10) for 9 weeks. During the two last weeks, a single step exercise test was performed, and plasma metabolites and blood gases were measured before and after exercise in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The effect of two diets on fearfulness was tested by exposing the horses to novel objects test (T1 and T2). Plasma metabolites was not affected by diets. However, plasma level of glucose post-exercise (4.9) was lower than pre-exercise (5.6 mmol/L; p < 0.001). Similarly, plasma level of insulin post-exercise (4.2) was lower than pre-exercise (13.1 pmol/L; p < 0.001). Plasma level of lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.001), non-esterified fatty acids (p = 0.002), β-hydroxybutyrate (p = 0.001), and fructosamine (p = 0.01) post-exercise was higher than pre-exercise. Regardless of type of diets, RRR-α-tocopherol was the dominance α-tocopherol stereoisomers in plasma. In conclusion, during aerobic exercise, fat to starch ratio in horse diets within the normal range had no significant effect on plasma metabolites. However, horses fed LS_HF tended to show more investigative behaviour than horses fed HS_LF.

Fibrobacter sp. HC4, a newly isolated strain, demonstrates a high cellulolytic activity as revealed by enzymatic measurements and in vitro assay.

Despite their low quantity and abundance, the cellulolytic bacteria that inhabit the equine large intestine are vital to their host, as they enable the crucial use of forage-based diets. Fibrobacter succinogenes is one of the most important intestinal cellulolytic bacteria. In this study, Fibrobacter sp. HC4, one cellulolytic strain newly isolated from the horse cecum, was characterized for its ability to utilize plant cell wall fibers. Fibrobacter sp. HC4 consumed only cellulose, cellobiose, and glucose and produced succinate and acetate in equal amounts. Among genes coding for CAZymes, 26% of the detected glycoside hydrolases (GHs) were involved in cellulolysis. These cellulases belong to the GH5, GH8, GH9, GH44, GH45, and GH51 families. Both carboxymethyl cellulase and xylanase activities of Fibrobacter sp. HC4 were detected using the Congo red method and were higher than those of F. succinogenes S85, the type strain. The in vitro addition of Fibrobacter sp. HC4 to a fecal microbial ecosystem of horses with large intestinal acidosis significantly enhanced fibrolytic activity as measured by the increase in gas and volatile fatty acids production during the first 48 h. According to this, the pH decreased and the disappearance of dry matter increased at a faster rate with Fibrobacter sp. HC4. Our data suggest a high specialization of the new strain in cellulose degradation. Such a strain could be of interest for future exploitation of its probiotic potential, which needs to be further determined by in vivo studies.IMPORTANCECellulose is the most abundant of plant cell wall fiber and can only be degraded by the large intestine microbiota, resulting in the production of volatile fatty acids that are essential for the host nutrition and health. Consequently, cellulolytic bacteria are of major importance to herbivores. However, these bacteria are challenged by various factors, such as high starch diets, which acidify the ecosystem and reduce their numbers and activity. This can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiota and digestive problems such as colic, a major cause of mortality in horses. In this work, we characterized a newly isolated cellulolytic strain, Fibrobacter sp. HC4, from the equine intestinal microbiota. Due to its high cellulolytic capacity, reintroduction of this strain into an equine fecal ecosystem stimulates hay fermentation in vitro. Isolating and describing cellulolytic bacteria is a prerequisite for using them as probiotics to restore intestinal balance.

Carbohydrate digestion in the stomach of horses grazed on pasture, fed hay or hay and oats

Concentrations of starch, mono- and disaccharides, fructans, hemicellulose and cellulose were analysed in feed and gastric digesta of horses in relation to acid insoluble ash as a marker indigestible in the stomach. Twenty-four horses were allocated to pasture 24 h/d (PST; n = 4), hay ad libitum (HAY; n = 8), hay ad lib. and oats at 1 g starch/kg body weight (BWT)/meal (OS1; n = 6) and hay ad lib. and oats at 2 g starch/kg BWT/meal (OS2; n = 5). One horse was excluded from the analysis. The horses were fed the ration a minimum of 34 days. Following euthanasia and dissection, digesta was sampled from Pars nonglandularis (PNG) and Pars glandularis (PG). Oat starch concentration in gastric digesta decreased from 309 to 174 g/kg dry matter (DM) in OS1 (44 %-reduction) and from 367 to 261 g/kg DM in OS2 (29 %-reduction) (P < 0.001). Glucose, fructose and sucrose disappeared from gastric digesta distinctly more in PST, HAY and OS1 than in OS2. In PST and HAY, sucrose concentration was completely cleared (P < 0.001). The concentration of fructans was reduced predominantly in PST (84 %-reduction) and HAY (54 %-reduction), mainly in the PNG (P < 0.05). Fructan degradation did not occur in the high-starch diet (OS2). Some evidence for fibre degradation was observed in PST (P < 0.01). Soluble carbohydrates disappear from the stomach dependent on the type of ration, which may lead to changes in the composition of the gastric microbial community and the endogenous response.

Supplementation of Mangiferin to a High-Starch Diet Alleviates Hepatic Injury and Lipid Accumulation Potentially through Modulating Cholesterol Metabolism in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

Starch is a common source of carbohydrates in aqua feed. High-starch diet can cause hepatic injury and lipid accumulation in fish. Mangiferin (MGF) can regulate lipid metabolism and protect the liver, but there is limited research on its effects in fish. In the present study, we investigated whether MGF could ameliorate high-starch-induced hepatic damage and lipid accumulation in channel catfish. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were fed one of four experimental diets for eight weeks: a control diet (NCD), a high-starch diet (HCD), an HCD supplemented with 100 mg/kg MGF (100 MGF), and an HCD supplemented with 500 mg/kg MGF (500 MGF). The results demonstrated that the weight gain rate (WGR) (p = 0.031), specific growth rate (SGR) (p = 0.039), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (p = 0.040) of the 500 MGF group were significantly higher than those of the NCD group. MGF supplementation alleviated liver damage and improved antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared to those of the HCD group (p = 0.000). In addition, dietary MGF significantly reduced plasma glucose (GLU) (p = 0.000), triglyceride (TG) (p= 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p = 0.000) levels. It is noteworthy that MGF significantly reduced the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels (p = 0.000) and liver TC levels (p = 0.005) of channel catfish. Dietary MGF improves cholesterol homeostasis by decreasing the expression of genes that are involved in cholesterol synthesis and transport (hmgcr, sqle, srebf2, sp1, and ldlr) and increasing the expression of genes that are involved in cholesterol catabolism (cyp7a1). Among them, the largest fold decrease in squalene epoxidase (sqle) expression levels was observed in the 100 MGF or 500 MGF groups compared with the HCD group, with a significant decrease of 3.64-fold or 2.20-fold (p = 0.008). And the 100 MGF or 500 MGF group had significantly decreased (by 1.67-fold or 1.94-fold) Sqle protein levels compared to those of the HCD group (p = 0.000). In primary channel catfish hepatocytes, MGF significantly down-regulated the expression of sqle (p = 0.030) and reduced cholesterol levels (p = 0.000). In NCTC 1469 cells, MGF significantly down-regulated the expression of sqle (p = 0.000) and reduced cholesterol levels (p = 0.024). In conclusion, MGF effectively inhibits sqle expression and reduces cholesterol accumulation. The current study shows how MGF supplementation regulates the metabolism and accumulation of cholesterol in channel catfish, providing a theoretical basis for the use of MGF as a dietary supplement in aquaculture.

Assessing the effects of live yeast supplementation to diets containing high starch of dairy cows on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (LY) supplementation on high-starch diets for dairy cows. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, four treatment groups were examined: adequate starch without LY (AS-control), AS with LY (AS-LY), high starch without LY (HS-control), and HS with LY (HS-LY). LY was added at 2.9 × 106 CFU/200 mg DM or without yeast. In vitro gas and methane (CH4) production, organic matter (OM) digestibility, rumen fermentation, and metabolizable energy (ME) were analyzed. The Hohenheim Gas Test apparatus was used, and total gas volumes were measured at various incubation hours. Results showed no significant effects of LY or dietary starch ratio on gas kinetics, total gas, or CH4 production. Similarly, OM digestibility, fermentation kinetics, and ME were unaffected. In conclusion, LY supplementation did not alter in vitro gas, CH4 production, OM digestibility, rumen fermentation, or ME. Further research could investigate the underlying mechanisms, such as rumen microbial population influences.

Phytosterol supplementation enhances the growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidant status and glucose metabolism of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed a high-starch diet

IntroductionPrevious studies found that phytosterols could influence growth performance, feed utilization and lipid metabolism as well as improve the antioxidant capacity of animals.MethodsTo investigate the effects of dietary phytosterol supplementation on juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed a high-starch diet, a 56- day feedingtrial was conducted with four dietary feeds for juvenile largemouth bass: extruded floating feed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain 10% and 15% α-starch; on the basis of a 15% α-starch diet, two other diets were formulated with supplementation of 0.1% and 0.5% phytosterol, respectively. After the feeding trials, the survival rate, weight gain and specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, intraperitoneal fat ratio, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio and activities of three digestive enzymes, as well as the concentrations of nine plasma biochemical indices, hepatic enzyme activities and glycogen contents, were measured and calculated, and the data were statistically analyzed.ResultsThe results of the present study showed that the survival rate, weight gain and specificgrowthrates were significantly greater in plants fed high-starch diets supplemented with phytosterols. As the supplemental phytosterol concentration increased, the feed conversion ratio and intraperitoneal fat ratio significantly decreased; the protease and lipase levels in the pyloric zone markedly increased; the plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, malondialdehyde, aspartate transaminase and alanin transaminase levels significantly decreased; the glucokinase and pyruvate kinase levelsmarkedly increased; and the hepatic glycogen content significantly decreased.DiscussionIn summary, dietary phytosterol supplementation promoted the growth performance, feed utilization and antioxidant status of juvenile largemouth bass fed a highstarch diet; enhanced glucose utilization and metabolism; and alleviated the negative stimulation of glycemia stress in M. salmoide fed a high-starch diet.

Effect of residual feed intake on meat quality in fattening Charolais bulls fed two contrasting diets

The selection of more efficient animals for breeding is of both economic and environmental interest to the industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the animals' residual feed intake (RFI) ranking in interaction with the type of diet on the meat quality of Charolais beef cattle. Indeed, several biological mechanisms are associated with RFI, especially when animals are fed high starch-diets. It is therefore possible that quality parameters may show greater changes due to RFI in the context of high starch diets compared to high forage diets.An 84-day feed efficiency trial followed immediately by a second 112-day feed efficiency trial was conducted with a total of 100 animals fed either maize- or grass-diets for 196-days. At the end of the 84-day period, the 32 most divergent RFI animals (16 extreme RFI animals per diet, 8 RFI+ and 8 RFI-) were identified. They were slaughtered after 112-days of finishing. The Longissimus thoracis was characterised in terms of nutritional and sensory quality.RFI had no effect on lab colour, muscle shear force, total fat, fatty acid ratios and most of the total fatty acid content (especially n-3) irrespective of the diet. However, more efficient animals (RFI-) showed higher CLA contents compared to less efficient animals (RFI+) regardless of the diet and also a lower n6/n3 ratio only in animals fed the maize diets. Diet also had a significant effect on lipid and FA content as well as on FA composition.

Hepatic lipid droplet-associated proteome changes distinguish dietary-induced fatty liver from glucose tolerance in male mice.

Fatty liver is characterized by the expansion of lipid droplets (LDs) and is associated with the development of many metabolic diseases. We assessed the morphology of hepatic LDs and performed quantitative proteomics in lean, glucose-tolerant mice compared with high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice that displayed hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance as well as high-starch diet (HStD) fed mice who exhibited similar levels of hepatic steatosis but remained glucose tolerant. Both HFD- and HStD-fed mice had more and larger LDs than Chow-fed animals. We observed striking differences in liver LD proteomes of HFD- and HStD-fed mice compared with Chow-fed mice, with fewer differences between HFD and HStD. Taking advantage of our diet strategy, we identified a fatty liver LD proteome consisting of proteins common in HFD- and HStD-fed mice, as well as a proteome associated with glucose tolerance that included proteins shared in Chow and HStD but not HFD-fed mice. Notably, glucose intolerance was associated with changes in the ratio of adipose triglyceride lipase to perilipin 5 in the LD proteome, suggesting dysregulation of neutral lipid homeostasis in glucose-intolerant fatty liver. We conclude that our novel dietary approach uncouples ectopic lipid burden from insulin resistance-associated changes in the hepatic lipid droplet proteome.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identified a fatty liver lipid droplet proteome and one associated with glucose tolerance. Notably, glucose intolerance was linked with changes in the ratio of adipose triglyceride lipase to perilipin 5 that is indicative of dysregulation of neutral lipid homeostasis.

Diet modulates strongyle infection and microbiota in the large intestine of horses.

The use of anthelminthic drugs has several drawbacks, including the selection of resistant parasite strains. Alternative avenues to mitigate the negative effects of helminth infection involve dietary interventions that might affect resistance and/or tolerance by improving host immunity, modulating the microbiota, or exerting direct anthelmintic effects. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diet on strongyle infection in horses, specifically through immune-mediated, microbiota-mediated, or direct anthelmintic effects. Horses that were naturally infected with strongyles were fed either a high-fiber or high-starch diet, supplemented with either polyphenol-rich pellets (dehydrated sainfoin) or control pellets (sunflower and hay). When horses were fed a high-starch diet, they excreted more strongyle eggs. Adding sainfoin in the high-starch diet reduced egg excretion. Additionally, sainfoin decreased larval motility whatever the diet. Moreover, the high-starch diet led to a lower fecal bacterial diversity, structural differences in fecal microbiota, lower fecal pH, lower blood acetate, and lower hematocrit compared to the high-fiber diet. Circulating levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, lipopolysaccharides, procalcitonin, and white blood cells proportions did not differ between diets. Overall, this study highlights the role of dietary manipulations as an alternative strategy to mitigate the effect of helminth infection and suggests that, in addition to the direct effects, changes in the intestinal ecosystem are the possible underlying mechanism.

Faecal microbial transfer and complex carbohydrates mediate protection against COPD

ObjectiveChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of global illness and death, most commonly caused by cigarette smoke. The mechanisms of pathogenesis remain poorly understood, limiting the development...

Low rumen degradable starch reduces diarrhea and colonic inflammation by influencing the whole gastrointestinal microbiota and metabolite flow in dairy goats

Postruminal intestinal inflammation and hindgut acidosis caused by increased dietary starch supply and thereby increased quantities of ruminal degradable starch (RDS) in ruminants have been widely studied. Although the roles of the microbiota in mediating hindgut health that are focused on the hindgut have been widely studied, the absence of whole gastrointestinal insight may influence the depth of research. We integrated the microbiome, metabolome, and host transcriptome changes in the rumen, jejunum, ileum, and colon to investigate the contributions of foregut changes to hindgut gene expression driven by gastrointestinal microbiota and metabolite flow. Forty goats were randomly assigned to receive either a low rumen degradable starch diet (LRDS, RDS=13.85%, n=20) or a high rumen degradable starch diet (HRDS, RDS=20.74%, n=20). Compared with the high RDS (HRDS) group, the low RDS (LRDS) group significantly decreased the diarrheal rate. Based on the mean values of the fecal scores, 6 represented goats of LRDS group (fecal scores=4.58±0.120) and 6 represented goats of HRDS group (fecal scores=3.53±0.343) were selected for sampling and subsequent analysis. LRDS had significantly decreased the colonic pathologic scores. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that LRDS reduced jejunal, ileal, and colonic inflammatory responses. An increase in beneficial commensals and a decreased abundance of pathogenic genera in the small intestine and hindgut were found in goats fed the LRDS diet using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To identify microbial transmission as well as the transmission of microbial metabolites, 8 genera were identified as core genera according to their calculated niche width. Metabolomics analysis revealed that a total of 554 metabolites were identified among different gastrointestinal sites. Then, metabolites were incorporated into 3 modules: metabolites increased in the current site (ICS), unchanged inflow metabolites in the current site (UICS), and metabolites decreased in the current site (DCS). The results indicated that the UICS metabolites contributed more than 10% to host gene expression in the jejunum, ileum, and colon. When we further focused on the effects of colonic UICS metabolites on the colonic immune-related differentially expressed genes, the results indicated that 1-palmitoylglycerol and deoxycholic acid contributed 60.74% and 11.5% to the colonic immune-related differentially expressed genes, respectively. Our findings provide a preliminary framework of microbial effects that includes the microbiota and their metabolite changes, especially reduced 1-palmitoylglycerol and deoxycholic acid, in the former gastrointestinal tract that could be involved in the alleviation of colonic inflammation in goats fed LRDS diets.

Multi-omics reveal mechanisms of high enteral starch diet mediated colonic dysbiosis via microbiome-host interactions in young ruminant

BackgroundAlthough rumen development is crucial, hindgut undertakes a significant role in young ruminants’ physiological development. High-starch diet is usually used to accelerate rumen development for young ruminants, but always leading to the enteral starch overload and hindgut dysbiosis. However, the mechanism behind remains unclear. The combination of colonic transcriptome, colonic luminal metabolome, and metagenome together with histological analysis was conducted using a goat model, with the aim to identify the potential molecular mechanisms behind the disrupted hindgut homeostasis by overload starch in young ruminants.ResultCompared with low enteral starch diet (LES), high enteral starch diet (HES)-fed goats had significantly higher colonic pathology scores, and serum diamine oxidase activity, and meanwhile significantly decreased colonic mucosal Mucin-2 (MUC2) protein expression and fecal scores, evidencing the HES-triggered colonic systemic inflammation. The bacterial taxa Prevotella sp. P4-67, Prevotella sp. PINT, and Bacteroides sp. CAG:927, together with fungal taxa Fusarium vanettenii, Neocallimastix californiae, Fusarium sp. AF-8, Hypoxylon sp. EC38, and Fusarium pseudograminearum, and the involved microbial immune pathways including the “T cell receptor signaling pathway” were higher in the colon of HES goats. The integrated metagenome and host transcriptome analysis revealed that these taxa were associated with enhanced pathogenic ability, antigen processing and presentation, and stimulated T helper 2 cell (TH2)-mediated cytokine secretion functions in the colon of HES goats. Further luminal metabolomics analysis showed increased relative content of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA), and decreased the relative content of hypoxanthine in colonic digesta of HES goats. These altered metabolites contributed to enhancing the expression of TH2-mediated inflammatory-related cytokine secretion including GATA Binding Protein 3 (GATA3), IL-5, and IL-13. Using the linear mixed effect model, the variation of MUC2 biosynthesis explained by the colonic bacteria, bacterial functions, fungi, fungal functions, and metabolites were 21.92, 20.76, 19.43, 12.08, and 44.22%, respectively. The variation of pathology scores explained by the colonic bacterial functions, fungal functions, and metabolites were 15.35, 17.61, and 57.06%.ConclusionsOur findings revealed that enteral starch overload can trigger interrupted hindgut host-microbiome homeostasis that led to impaired mucosal, destroyed colonic water absorption, and TH2-mediated inflammatory process. Except for the colonic metabolites mostly contribute to the impaired mucosa, the nonnegligible contribution from fungi deserves more future studies focused on the fungal functions in hindgut dysbiosis of young ruminants.256VYnm1kgM5kPxw6ZAn-oVideo

Nutritional and physiological responses of female and male largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to different dietary starch levels

In this study, we adopted a 2 × 2 factorial design incorporating different dietary starch levels and sexes to assess the impact of dietary starch on the growth performance, feeding response, and glucolipid metabolism of female and male largemouth bass. Two isonitrogenous (49.6%) and isolipidic (10.4%) diets were formulated with 10% starch (low-starch level) and 20% starch (high-starch level). The results indicated that male largemouth bass exhibited superior growth performance compared to females regardless of the dietary starch levels. Furthermore, males demonstrated enhanced feed utilization of the high-starch diet compared to females. Males also exhibited significantly lower mRNA expressions of feeding inhibition molecules (cholecystokinin, leptin b, leptin b receptor, or cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript 2) in the brain compared to females, a phenomenon unrelated to dietary starch levels. Compared to females, males fed the high-starch diet displayed elevated mRNA expression of genes associated with glycolysis (hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, and phosphofructokinase) in the liver, as well as lower expression of gluconeogenesis-related genes (glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), which coincided with lower hepatic glycogen in males. Furthermore, males fed with the high-starch diet exhibited higher mRNA expression of genes involved in hepatic lipid catabolism (carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1, hormone-sensitive lipase, and adipose triglyceride lipase). In contrast, males exhibited lower expression of hepatic lipid synthesis regulation (acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and fatty acid synthase) in the liver compared with females fed with the low-starch diet. Additionally, upon comparing the hepatic transcriptomes of males and females fed with the high-starch diet, the males exhibited a significant up-regulation of glucokinase2 and hexokinase, coupled with down-regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase. In summary, male largemouth bass exhibited superior growth performance at this developmental stage compared to females regardless of dietary starch levels. Males also exhibited higher feed utilization when fed the high-starch diet, which was likely due to increased activity in glycolytic processes and enhanced fatty acid decomposition compared to females.

Phenotypic relationships between meat quality parameters and residual feed intake in Japanese black Wagyu cattle.

Japanese black Wagyu cattle are renowned for producing some of the world's most highly valued and recognized beef with exceptional marbling. Therefore, the primary focus of genetic selection for Wagyu cattle has historically been on meat quality, particularly achieving high marbling levels. However, even when the price of the final product is high, production costs also remain high, especially considering that most of the feed has to be imported. The objective of this study was to evaluate phenotypic relationships between feed efficiency, specifically residual feed intake (RFI), as the most utilized efficiency index in cattle, and various meat quality parameters in Japanese black cattle in order to determine if a common phenotypic selection for these parameters could be feasible. For this, a total of 39 Wagyu cattle were evaluated for feed efficiency over their entire fattening period (900d), with a focus on RFI as a key indicator. Animals were fed high-starch diets with vitamin A deprivation to achieve the desired marbling. Results revealed positive correlations between feed efficiency and meat quality in Wagyu cattle. Specifically, animals with higher feed efficiency exhibited superior meat quality traits, including firmness, marbling, and overall meat rating. When comparing the 20 most extreme RFI individuals (10 most and 10 least efficient), we observed that efficient RFI animals showed increased marbling levels (+13.2%, P = 0.05) and ranking quality (+12%, P = 0.06) of the meat. In conclusion, this research contributes to understanding the interplay between feed efficiency and meat quality in Japanese black Wagyu cattle. Phenotypic correlations observed suggest the possibility of incorporating RFI criteria into genetic selection programs without compromising the prized meat quality traits of Wagyu beef.

Microbiota characterization throughout the digestive tract of horses fed a high-fiber vs. a high-starch diet.

Diet is one of the main factors influencing the intestinal microbiota in horses, yet a systematic characterization of the microbiota along the length of the digestive tract in clinically healthy horses, homogenous for age and breed and receiving a specific diet is lacking. The study used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize the microbiota of the intestinal tracts of 19 healthy Bardigiano horses of 14.3 ± 0.7 months of age fed one of two diets. Nine horses received a high-starch diet (HS), and ten horses received a high-fiber diet (HF). After 129 days, the horses were slaughtered, and samples were collected from the different intestinal tract compartments. The microbiota alpha diversity indices were lower in the caecum, pelvic flexure and right dorsal colon of the horses fed the HS diet (False Discovery Rate, FDR < 0.05). The values of beta diversity indicated significant compositional differences between the studied intestinal tract compartments according to the diet received (FDR < 0.05). At the lower taxonomic level (genus or family), the HS diet was associated with a higher relative frequency of Enterobacteriaceae within the small intestine (jejunum and duodenum) (FDR < 0.05). Within the hindgut (caecum and sternal flexure), the HS diet was associated with lower relative frequencies (i.e., a smaller core community) of bacteria belonging to Fibrobacteraceae and Prevotellaceae (FDR < 0.05). Moreover, horses fed the HS diet displayed a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus in the caecum (FDR < 0.05) and Fusobacterium in the sternal flexure (FDR < 0.05), both of which are pathogenic bacteria responsible for inflammation diseases. Samples collected from the pelvic flexure and rectum of horses fed the HS diet showed significantly higher relative frequencies of Succinivibrionaceae (FDR < 0.05) - amylolytic bacteria associated with acidosis. The relative frequencies of the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were lower in the feces collected from the rectum of horses receiving the HS diet vs. HF diet, indicating smaller core communities of these bacteria (FDR < 0.05). Fibrous diets should be promoted to prevent dysbiosis of the microbiota associated with high-starch diet.

Characteristics of the Digestive Tract of Dogs and Cats.

As for other mammals, the digestive system of dogs (facultative carnivores) and cats (obligate carnivores) includes the mouth, teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and accessory digestive organs (salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder). These carnivores have a relatively shorter digestive tract but longer canine teeth, a tighter digitation of molars, and a greater stomach volume than omnivorousmammals such as humans and pigs. Both dogs and cats have no detectable or a very low activity of salivary α-amylase but dogs, unlike cats, possess a relativelyhighactivity of pancreatic α-amylase. Thus, cats select low-starch foods but dogs can consume high-starch diets. In contrast tomany mammals, the vitamin B12 (cobalamin)-binding intrinsic factor for the digestion and absorption of vitamin B12 is produced in: (a) dogs primarily by pancreatic ductal cells and to a lesser extent the gastric mucosa; and (b) cats exclusively by the pancreatic tissue. Amino acids (glutamate, glutamine, and aspartate) are the main metabolic fuels in enterocytes of the foregut. The primary function of the small intestine is to digest and absorb dietary nutrients, and its secondary function is to regulate the entry of dietary nutrients into the blood circulation, separate the external from the internal milieu, and perform immune surveillance. The major function of the large intestine is to ferment undigested food (particularly fiber and protein) and to absorb water, short-chain fatty acids (serving as major metabolic fuels for epithelial cells of the large intestine), as well as vitamins. The fermentation products, water, sloughed cells, digestive secretions, and microbes form feces and then pass into the rectum for excretion via the anal canal. The microflora influences colonic absorption and cell metabolism, as well as feces quality. The digestive tract is essential for the health, survival, growth, and development of dogs and cats.

Impact of deoxynivalenol on rumen function, production, and health of dairy cows: Insights from metabolomics and microbiota analysis

Deoxynivalenol contamination in feed and food, pervasive from growth, storage, and processing, poses a significant risk to dairy cows, particularly when exposed to a high-starch diet; however, whether a high-starch diet exacerbates these negative effects remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the combined impact of deoxynivalenol and dietary starch on the production performance, rumen function, and health of dairy cows using metabolomics and 16 S rRNA sequencing. Our findings suggested that both high- and low-starch diets contaminated with deoxynivalenol significantly reduced the concentration of propionate, isobutyrate, valerate, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), and microbial crude protein (MCP) concentrations, accompanied by a noteworthy increase in NH3-N concentration in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.05). Deoxynivalenol altered the abundance of microbial communities in vivo, notably affecting Oscillospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Selenomonadaceae. Additionally, it significantly downregulated lecithin, arachidonic acid, valine, leucine, isoleucine, arginine, and proline metabolism (P < 0.05). Furthermore, deoxynivalenol triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysregulation in immune system linkage, ultimately compromising the overall health of dairy cows. Collectively, both high- and low-starch diets contaminated with deoxynivalenol could have detrimental effects on rumen function, posing a potential threat to production performance and the overall health of cows. Notably, the negative effects of deoxynivalenol are more pronounced with a high-starch diet than a low-starch diet.