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Supplementing l-leucine to a low-protein diet increases tissue protein synthesis in weanling pigs

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Abstract

Recent work with young pigs shows that reducing dietary protein intake can improve gut function after weaning but results in inadequate provision of essential amino acids for muscle growth. Because acute administration of l-leucine stimulates protein synthesis in piglet muscle, the present study tested the hypothesis that supplementing l-leucine to a low-protein diet may maintain the activation of translation initiation factors and adequate protein synthesis in multiple organs of post-weaning pigs. Eighteen 21-day pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were fed low-protein diets (16.9% crude protein) supplemented with 0, 0.27 or 0.55% l-leucine (total leucine contents in the diets being 1.34, 1.61 or 1.88%, respectively). At 35 days of age, protein synthesis was determined using the [2H] phenylalanine flooding-dose technique. Additionally, total and phosphorylated levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), and eIF4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1) were measured in longissimus muscle and liver. Compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with 0.55% l-leucine for 2 weeks increased (P < 0.05): (1) the phosphorylated levels of S6K1 and 4E-BP1; (2) protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, liver, the heart, kidney, pancreas, spleen, and stomach; and (3) daily weight gain by 61%. Dietary supplementation with 0.27% l-leucine enhanced (P < 0.05) protein synthesis in proximal small intestine, kidney and pancreas. These novel findings provide a molecular basis for designing effective nutritional means to increase the efficiency of nutrient utilization for protein accretion in neonates.

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Abbreviations

CP:

Crude protein

eIF4E:

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E

4E-BP1:

eIF4E-binding protein-1

FRS:

Fractional synthesis rate

mTOR:

Mammalian target of rapamycin

S6K1:

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1

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Acknowledgments

This research was jointly supported by grants from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Knowledge Innovation Project (Kscx2-Yw-N-051), National 863 Program of China (2008AA10Z316), Research Program of State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University (SKLF-TS-200817), Ganjiang Scholars Program at Nanchang University, National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB118806), NSFC (30901040, 30901041, 30928018, 30828025, 30771558), National Fund of Agricultural Science and Technology outcome application (2006GB24910468), National Scientific and Technological Supporting Project (2006BAD12B02-5-2 and 2006BAD12B02-5-2), Hubei Chu Tian Scholars Program, the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams, the Thousand-People-Talent program at China Agricultural University, National Research Initiative Competitive Grants from the Animal Growth & Nutrient Utilization Program (2008-35206-18764) of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Texas AgriLife Research (H-8200).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology and College of Life Science and Food Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China

    Yulong Yin, Min Gong & Zheng Ruan

  2. Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125, China

    Yulong Yin, Kang Yao, Zhaojin Liu, Dun Deng, Bie Tan, Zhiqiang Liu & Guoyao Wu

  3. State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100191, China

    Guoyao Wu

  4. Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Guoyao Wu

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  1. Yulong Yin
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Yin, Y., Yao, K., Liu, Z. et al. Supplementing l-leucine to a low-protein diet increases tissue protein synthesis in weanling pigs. Amino Acids 39, 1477–1486 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-010-0612-5

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