Authors : Ke Li, Hua Zhao, Ji-Chang Zhou, Jia-Yong Tang, Xin-Gen Lei, Kang- Ning and Wang
Abstract: This study was to develop an obese porcine model induced by a high-fat diet and determine effects of obesity on gene expression in subcutaneous fat tissue in this model. A total of 20 crossbred, castrated boars (20 kg body weight) were fed a corn-soy basal diet (Se adequate, total fat <0.82%) or the diet added with lard at 3% (20-50 kg), 5% (50-80 kg) or 7% (>80 kg) for 180 days. Results showed that pigs fed the high fat diet showed greater (p<0.05) body weight (146 vs. 121 kg), back fat thickness (3.5 vs. 2.3 cm) and abdominal fat content (3.5 vs. 1.9 kg), along with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, compared with the control pigs. About 387 genes were found to be significantly up-regulated and 465 genes down-regulated (fold change ≥2.0) in the high-fat diet group compared to the control group. To further characterize the response of gene type to high-fat diet in subcutaneous fat tissue, 852 genes significantly altered in response to high-fat diet were classified into Gene Ontology (GO) slim terms. Genes involved in metabolic process, immune response, translation and cell cycle were significantly up-regulated (p<0.05). Genes involved in regulation of transcription, RNA splicing and transcription were significantly down-regulated (p<0.05). The results indicated that the differentially expressed genes including 26 up-regulated and five down-regulated genes were associated with significant pathways involved in organization of metabolism and primary immunodeficiency (NSFC projects 30871844, 30700585).
Ke Li, Hua Zhao, Ji-Chang Zhou, Jia-Yong Tang, Xin-Gen Lei, Kang- Ning and Wang , 2011. Differentially Expressed Genes in Subcutaneous Fat Tissue in an Obese Pig Model Induced by a High-Fat Diet. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1804-1810.