Effects of Vitamin A on Yanbian Yellow Cattle and Their Preadipocytes by Activating AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Intestinal Microflora

Abstract

In this study, the effects of vitamin A and its metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), on the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes and the intestinal microbiome in Yanbian yellow cattle were investigated. Preadipocytes collected from Yanbian yellow cattle treated with different concentrations of ATRA remained in the G1/G0 phase, as determined by flow cytometry. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analyses showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of key adipogenic factors, peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), decreased. ATRA was found to regulate the mTOR signaling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism, by inhibiting the expression of AKT2 and the adipogenic transcription factors SREBP1, ACC, and FAS; the protein and mRNA expression levels showed consistent trends. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that a low concentration of vitamin A promoted the growth of intestinal microflora beneficial to lipid metabolism and maintained intestinal health. The results indicated that ATRA inhibited the adipogenic differentiation of preadipocytes from Yanbian yellow cattle through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and that low concentrations of vitamin A may help maintain the intestinal microbes involved in lipid metabolism in cattle.

Characterization of lipid composition and nutritional quality of yak ghee at different altitudes: A quantitative lipidomic analysis

“…Variations in lipid metabolism among yaks, cattle, and buffaloes may be attributed to differences in their living environments (such as altitudes, extreme cold/heat, and low pressure) and lifestyles. These variations could potentially be regulated by intestinal microorganisms through the regulation of lipid metabolism and gene expression ( Zhang et al, 2022 , He et al, 2020 ). Additionally, ruminants rely on microbial production of acetate and β-Hydroxybutyrate, which are key precursors for C4-C16 lipids in their milk ( Fidan and Zhan, 2019 ).…”

Genome-wide analysis reveals genomic diversity and signatures of selection in Qinchuan beef cattle

“…China alone is home to 55 local cattle breeds, among which Qinchuan, Yanbian [6], Luxi [7], Jinnan [8], and Nanyang [9] are the most well-known. These indigenous cattle breeds have played a significant role as a major labor force in agriculture for thousands of years and gradually became a high-quality ingredient in traditional Chinese cuisine [10].…”