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Methionine limitation results in increased hepatic FAS activity, higher liver 18:1 to 18:0 fatty acid ratio and hepatic TAG accumulation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

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Abstract

The current experiment aimed to study whether interactions with lipid metabolism possibly might explain the relative increased liver weight obtained in fish fed sub-optimal methionine levels. A basal diet based on a blend of plant proteins which is low in methionine (1.6 g Met/16 g N) was compared to a methionine adequate diet (2.2 g Met/16 g N) prepared by adding dl-methionine (2.4 g/kg) to the basal diet in the expense of wheat grain. Fish oil was used as the lipid source. The diets were balanced in all nutrients except methionine. The diets were fed to Atlantic salmon (500 g BW) for a period of 3 months. Feed intake did not differ, rendering the intake of all nutrients except methionine equal. Fish fed the low methionine diet had an increased liver size relative to body weight, indicating fat deposition in the liver. Fish given the sub-optimal methionine diet showed about six times higher fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity as compared to the fish fed the adequate methionine diet, indicating a higher de novo lipogenesis. A significant rise in the liver 18:1 to 18:0 fatty acid ratios also supported storage of lipids over fatty acid oxidation. Indeed, methionine limitation resulted in significantly higher TAG concentrations in the liver. Sub-optimal dietary methionine also resulted in lower hepatic taurine concentrations and the total bile acids concentrations were reduced in faeces and tended to be reduced in plasma. Taken together, our data show that salmon fed sub-optimal methionine levels had increased relative liver weight and developed signs commonly described in the early stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rodent models (increased FAS activity, changed fatty acid ratios and TAG accumulation).

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Abbreviations

IAAs:

Indispensable amino acids

DAAs:

Dispensable amino acids

PC:

Phosphocholine

PE:

Phosphoethanolamine

SAH:

S-Adenosylhomocysteine

SAM:

S-Adenosylmethionine

tHcy:

Total homocysteine

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

NAFLD:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

FAS:

Fatty acid synthase

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Acknowledgments

The technical assistance from Anita Birkenes, Joseph Martin Malaiamaan and Thu Thao Nguyen at NIFES is highly appreciated. Anne Brit Fjermestad and Henny Dirdal at EWOS Innovation AS are thanked for is thanked for taking care of the experimental fish as well as in sampling thereof. The experiment was partly supported by The Norwegian Research Council. Dr Raja M Rathore was supported by an International Scholarship from the Norwegian Research Council during his stay at NIFES.

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  1. Raja Mansingh Rathore

    Present address: School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, At/Po-KIIT, Patia, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, PO Box 2029, 5817, Nordnes, Norway

    Marit Espe, Raja Mansingh Rathore, Zhen-Yu Du & Bjørn Liaset

  2. Ewos Innovation AS, 4335, Dirdal, Norway

    Adel El-Mowafi

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  1. Marit Espe
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Espe, M., Rathore, R.M., Du, ZY. et al. Methionine limitation results in increased hepatic FAS activity, higher liver 18:1 to 18:0 fatty acid ratio and hepatic TAG accumulation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar . Amino Acids 39, 449–460 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0461-2

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