A versatile delivery vehicle for cellular oxygen and fuels or metabolic sensor? A review and perspective on the functions of myoglobin.

A canonical view of the primary physiological function of myoglobin (Mb) is that it is an oxygen (O2) storage protein supporting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, especially as the tissue O2 partial pressure (Po2) drops and Mb off-loads O2. Besides O2 storage/transport, recent findings support functions for Mb in lipid trafficking and sequestration, interacting with cellular glycolytic metabolites such as lactate (LAC) and pyruvate (PYR), and "ectopic" expression in some types of cancer cells and in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Data from Mb knockout (Mb-/-) mice and biochemical models suggest additional metabolic roles for Mb, especially regulation of nitric oxide (NO) pools, modulation of BAT bioenergetics, thermogenesis, and lipid storage phenotypes. From these and other findings in the literature over many decades, Mb's function is not confined to delivering O2 in support of oxidative phosphorylation but may serve as an O2 sensor that modulates intracellular Po2- and NO-responsive molecular signaling pathways. This paradigm reflects a fundamental change in how oxidative metabolism and cell regulation are viewed in Mb-expressing cells such as skeletal muscle, heart, brown adipocytes, and select cancer cells. Here, we review historic and emerging views related to the physiological roles for Mb and present working models illustrating the possible importance of interactions between Mb, gases, and small-molecule metabolites in regulation of cell signaling and bioenergetics.

Metabolic and fecal microbial changes in adult fetal growth restricted mice.

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) increases risk for development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Using a mouse model of FGR, we tested whether metabolic outcomes were exacerbated by high-fat diet challenge or associated with fecal microbial taxa. METHODS: FGR was induced by maternal calorie restriction from gestation day 9 to 19. Control and FGR offspring were weaned to control (CON) or 45% fat diet (HFD). At age 16 weeks, offspring underwent intraperitoneal glucose tolerance testing, quantitative MRI body composition assessment, and energy balance studies. Total microbial DNA was used for amplification of the V4 variable region of the 16 S rRNA gene. Multivariable associations between groups and genera abundance were assessed using MaAsLin2. RESULTS: Adult male FGR mice fed HFD gained weight faster and had impaired glucose tolerance compared to control HFD males, without differences among females. Irrespective of weaning diet, adult FGR males had depletion of Akkermansia, a mucin-residing genus known to be associated with weight gain and glucose handling. FGR females had diminished Bifidobacterium. Metabolic changes in FGR offspring were associated with persistent gut microbial changes. CONCLUSION: FGR results in persistent gut microbial dysbiosis that may be a therapeutic target to improve metabolic outcomes. IMPACT: Fetal growth restriction increases risk for metabolic syndrome later in life, especially if followed by rapid postnatal weight gain. We report that a high fat diet impacts weight and glucose handling in a mouse model of fetal growth restriction in a sexually dimorphic manner. Adult growth-restricted offspring had persistent changes in fecal microbial taxa known to be associated with weight, glucose homeostasis, and bile acid metabolism, particularly Akkermansia, Bilophilia and Bifidobacteria. The gut microbiome may represent a therapeutic target to improve long-term metabolic outcomes related to fetal growth restriction.

Myoglobin-Pyruvate Interactions: Binding Thermodynamics, Structure-Function Relationships, and Impact on Oxygen Release Kinetics.

Myoglobin (Mb), besides its roles as an oxygen (O2) carrier/storage protein and nitric oxide NO scavenger/producer, may participate in lipid trafficking and metabolite binding. Our recent findings have shown that O2 is released from oxy-Mb upon interaction with lactate (LAC, anerobic glycolysis end-product). Since pyruvate (PYR) is structurally similar and metabolically related to LAC, we investigated the effects of PYR (aerobic glycolysis end-product) on Mb using isothermal titration calorimetry, circular dichroism, and O2-kinetic studies to evaluate PYR affinity toward Mb and to compare the effects of PYR and LAC on O2 release kinetics of oxy-Mb. Similar to LAC, PYR interacts with both oxy- and deoxy-Mb with a 1:1 stoichiometry. Time-resolved circular dichroism spectra revealed that there are no major conformational changes in the secondary structures of oxy- or deoxy-Mb during interactions with PYR or LAC. However, we found contrasting results with respect to binding affinities and substrate preference, where PYR has higher affinity toward deoxy-Mb when compared with LAC (which prefers oxy-Mb). Furthermore, PYR interaction with oxy-Mb releases a significantly lower amount of O2 than LAC. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that glycolytic end-products play a distinctive role in the Mb-rich tissues by serving as novel regulators of O2 availability, and/or by impacting other activities related to oxy-/deoxy-Mb toggling in resting vs. exercised or metabolically activated conditions.

Myoglobin Interaction with Lactate Rapidly Releases Oxygen: Studies on Binding Thermodynamics, Spectroscopy, and Oxygen Kinetics.

Myoglobin (Mb)-mediated oxygen (O2) delivery and dissolved O2 in the cytosol are two major sources that support oxidative phosphorylation. During intense exercise, lactate (LAC) production is elevated in skeletal muscles as a consequence of insufficient intracellular O2 supply. The latter results in diminished mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and an increased reliance on nonoxidative pathways to generate ATP. Whether or not metabolites from these pathways impact Mb-O2 associations remains to be established. In the present study, we employed isothermal titration calorimetry, O2 kinetic studies, and UV-Vis spectroscopy to evaluate the LAC affinity toward Mb (oxy- and deoxy-Mb) and the effect of LAC on O2 release from oxy-Mb in varying pH conditions (pH 6.0-7.0). Our results show that LAC avidly binds to both oxy- and deoxy-Mb (only at acidic pH for the latter). Similarly, in the presence of LAC, increased release of O2 from oxy-Mb was detected. This suggests that with LAC binding to Mb, the structural conformation of the protein (near the heme center) might be altered, which concomitantly triggers the release of O2. Taken together, these novel findings support a mechanism where LAC acts as a regulator of O2 management in Mb-rich tissues and/or influences the putative signaling roles for oxy- and deoxy-Mb, especially under conditions of LAC accumulation and lactic acidosis.

Exploring GPR109A Receptor Interaction with Hippuric Acid Using MD Simulations and CD Spectroscopy.

Previous research has indicated that various metabolites belonging to phenolic acids (PAs), produced by gut microflora through the breakdown of polyphenols, help in promoting bone development and protecting bone from degeneration. Results have also suggested that G-protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) functions as a receptor for those specific PAs such as hippuric acid (HA) and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3-3-PPA). Indeed, HA has a molecular structural similarity with nicotinic acid (niacin) which has been shown previously to bind to GPR109A receptor and to mediate antilipolytic effects; however, the binding pocket and the structural nature of the interaction remain to be recognized. In the present study, we employed a computational strategy to elucidate the molecular structural determinants of HA binding to GPR109A and GPR109B homology models in understanding the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Based on the docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies, HA binds to GPR109A similarly to niacin. Specifically, the transmembrane helices 3, 4 and 6 (TMH3, TMH4 and TMH6) and Extracellular loop 1 and 2 (ECL1 and ECL2) residues of GRP109A; R111 (TMH3), K166 (TMH4), ECL2 residues; S178 and S179, and R251 (TMH6), and residues of GPR109B; Y87, Y86, S91 (ECL1) and C177 (ECL2) contribute for HA binding. Simulations and Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann solvent accessible area (MM-PBSA) calculations reveal that HA has higher affinity for GPR109A than for GPR109B. Additionally, in silico mutation analysis of key residues have disrupted the binding and HA exited out from the GPR109A protein. Furthermore, measurements of time-resolved circular dichroism spectra revealed that there are no major conformational changes in the protein secondary structure on HA binding. Taken together, our findings suggest a mechanism of interaction of HA with both GPR109A and GPR109B receptors.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Modulation by Maternal High-Fat Diet and Thermogenic Challenge.

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in energy homeostasis and its dysbiosis is associated with obesity. Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) and ß-adrenergic stimuli alter the gut microbiota independently; however, their collective regulation is not clear. To investigate the combined effect of these factors on offspring microbiota, 20-week-old offspring from control diet (17% fat)- or HFD (45% fat)-fed dams received an injection of either vehicle or ß3-adrenergic agonist CL316,243 (CL) for 7 days and then cecal contents were collected for bacterial community profiling. In a follow-up study, a separate group of mice were exposed to either 8 °C or 30 °C temperature for 7 days and blood serum and cecal contents were used for metabolome profiling. Both maternal diet and CL modulated the gut bacterial community structure and predicted functional profiles. Particularly, maternal HFD and CL increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. In mice exposed to different temperatures, the metabolome profiles clustered by treatment in both the cecum and serum. Identified metabolites were enriched in sphingolipid and amino acid metabolism in the cecum and in lipid and energy metabolism in the serum. In summary, maternal HFD altered offspring's response to CL and altered microbial composition and function. An independent experiment supported the effect of thermogenic challenge on the bacterial function through metabolome change.

On the potential role of globins in brown adipose tissue: a novel conceptual model and studies in myoglobin knockout mice.

Myoglobin (Mb) regulates O2 bioavailability in muscle and heart as the partial pressure of O2 (Po2) drops with increased tissue workload. Globin proteins also modulate cellular NO pools, "scavenging" NO at higher Po2 and converting NO2- to NO as Po2 falls. Myoglobin binding of fatty acids may also signal a role in fat metabolism. Interestingly, Mb is expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT), but its function is unknown. Herein, we present a new conceptual model that proposes links between BAT thermogenic activation, concurrently reduced Po2, and NO pools regulated by deoxy/oxy-globin toggling and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR). We describe the effect of Mb knockout (Mb-/-) on BAT phenotype [lipid droplets, mitochondrial markers uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and cytochrome C oxidase 4 (Cox4), transcriptomics] in male and female mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 45% of energy, ∼13 wk), and examine Mb expression during brown adipocyte differentiation. Interscapular BAT weights did not differ by genotype, but there was a higher prevalence of mid-large sized droplets in Mb-/-. COX4 protein expression was significantly reduced in Mb-/- BAT, and a suite of metabolic/NO/stress/hypoxia transcripts were lower. All of these Mb-/--associated differences were most apparent in females. The new conceptual model, and results derived from Mb-/- mice, suggest a role for Mb in BAT metabolic regulation, in part through sexually dimorphic systems and NO signaling. This possibility requires further validation in light of significant mouse-to-mouse variability of BAT Mb mRNA and protein abundances in wild-type mice and lower expression relative to muscle and heart.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Myoglobin confers the distinct red color to muscle and heart, serving as an oxygen-binding protein in oxidative fibers. Less attention has been paid to brown fat, a thermogenic tissue that also expresses myoglobin. In a mouse knockout model lacking myoglobin, brown fat had larger fat droplets and lower markers of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, especially in females. Gene expression patterns suggest a role for myoglobin as an oxygen/nitric oxide-sensor that regulates cellular metabolic and signaling pathways.

Metabolic physiology and skeletal muscle phenotypes in male and female myoglobin knockout mice.

Myoglobin (Mb) is a regulator of O2 bioavailability in type I muscle and heart, at least when tissue O2 levels drop. Mb also plays a role in regulating cellular nitric oxide (NO) pools. Robust binding of long-chain fatty acids and long-chain acylcarnitines to Mb, and enhanced glucose metabolism in hearts of Mb knockout (KO) mice, suggest additional roles in muscle intermediary metabolism and fuel selection. To evaluate this hypothesis, we measured energy expenditure (EE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), body weight gain and adiposity, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity in Mb knockout (Mb-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice challenged with a high-fat diet (HFD, 45% of calories). In males (n = 10/genotype) and females (n = 9/genotype) tested at 5-6, 11-12, and 17-18 wk, there were no genotype effects on RER, EE, or food intake. RER and EE during cold (10°C, 72 h), and glucose and insulin tolerance, were not different compared with within-sex WT controls. At ∼18 and ∼19 wk of age, female Mb-/- adiposity was ∼42%-48% higher versus WT females (P = 0.1). Transcriptomics analyses (whole gastrocnemius, soleus) revealed few consistent changes, with the notable exception of a 20% drop in soleus transferrin receptor (Tfrc) mRNA. Capillarity indices were significantly increased in Mb-/-, specifically in Mb-rich soleus and deep gastrocnemius. The results indicate that Mb loss does not have a major impact on whole body glucose homeostasis, EE, RER, or response to a cold challenge in mice. However, the greater adiposity in female Mb-/- mice indicates a sex-specific effect of Mb KO on fat storage and feed efficiency.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The roles of myoglobin remain to be elaborated. We address sexual dimorphism in terms of outcomes in response to the loss of myoglobin in knockout mice and perform, for the first time, a series of comprehensive metabolic studies under conditions in which fat is mobilized (high-fat diet, cold). The results highlight that myoglobin is not necessary and sufficient for maintaining oxidative metabolism and point to alternative roles for this protein in muscle and heart.

Lactotrehalose, an Analog of Trehalose, Increases Energy Metabolism Without Promoting Clostridioides difficile Infection in Mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Trehalose is a disaccharide that might be used in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. However, trehalose consumption promotes the expansion of Clostridioides difficile ribotypes that metabolize trehalose via trehalose-6-phosphate hydrolase. Furthermore, brush border and renal trehalases can reduce the efficacy of trehalose by cleaving it into monosaccharides. We investigated whether a trehalase-resistant analogue of trehalose (lactotrehalose) has the same metabolic effects of trehalose without expanding C difficile. METHODS: We performed studies with HEK293 and Caco2 cells, primary hepatocytes from mice, and human intestinal organoids. Glucose transporters were overexpressed in HEK293 cells, and glucose tra2nsport was quantified. Primary hepatocytes were cultured with or without trehalose or lactotrehalose, and gene expression patterns were analyzed. C57B6/J mice were given oral antibiotics and trehalose or lactotrehalose in drinking water, or only water (control), followed by gavage with the virulent C difficile ribotype 027 (CD027); fecal samples were analyzed for toxins A (ToxA) or B (ToxB) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Other mice were given trehalose or lactotrehalose in drinking water for 2 days before placement on a chow or 60% fructose diet for 10 days. Liver tissues were collected and analyzed by histologic, serum biochemical, RNA sequencing, autophagic flux, and thermogenesis analyses. We quantified portal trehalose and lactotrehalose bioavailability by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Fecal microbiomes were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and principal component analyses. RESULTS: Lactotrehalose and trehalose each blocked glucose transport in HEK293 cells and induced a gene expression pattern associated with fasting in primary hepatocytes. Compared with mice on the chow diet, mice on the high-fructose diet had increased circulating cholesterol, higher ratios of liver weight-to-body weight, hepatic lipid accumulation (steatosis), and liver gene expression patterns of carbohydrate-responsive de novo lipogenesis. Mice given lactotrehalose while on the high-fructose diet did not develop any of these features and had increased whole-body caloric expenditure compared with mice given trehalose or water and fed a high-fructose diet. Livers from mice given lactotrehalose had increased transcription of genes that regulate mitochondrial energy metabolism compared with liver from mice given trehalose or controls. Lactotrehalose was bioavailable in venous and portal circulation and fecal samples. Lactotrehalose reduced fecal markers of microbial branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis and increased expression of microbial genes that regulate insulin signaling. In mice given antibiotics followed by CD027, neither lactotrehalose nor trehalose increased levels of the bacteria or its toxin in stool-in fact, trehalose reduced the abundance of CD027 in stool. Lactotrehalose and trehalose reduced markers of inflammation in rectal tissue after CD027 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Lactotrehalose is a trehalase-resistant analogue that increases metabolic parameters, compared with trehalose, without increasing the abundance or virulence of C difficile strain CD027. Trehalase-resistant trehalose analogues might be developed as next-generation fasting-mimetics for the treatment of diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Xenometabolite signatures in the UC Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model revealed using a metabolomics platform enriched with microbe-derived metabolites.

The gut microbiome has the potential to create or modify xenometabolites (i.e., nonhost-derived metabolites) through de novo synthesis or modification of exogenous and endogenous compounds. While there are isolated examples of xenometabolites influencing host health and disease, wide-scale characterization of these metabolites remains limited. We developed a metabolomics platform ("XenoScan") using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize a range of known and suspected xenometabolites and their derivatives. This assay currently applies authentic standards for 190 molecules, enriched for metabolites of microbial origin. As a proof-of-principle, we characterized the cecal content xenometabolomics profile in adult male lean Sprague-Dawley (LSD) and University of California, Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats at different stages of diabetes. These results were correlated to specific bacterial species generated via shotgun metagenomic sequencing. UCD-T2DM rats had a unique xenometabolite profile compared with LSD rats, regardless of diabetes status, suggesting that at least some of the variation is associated with host genetics. Furthermore, modeling approaches revealed that several xenometabolites discriminated UCD-T2DM rats at early stages of diabetes versus those at 3 mo postdiabetes onset. Several xenometabolite hubs correlated with specific bacterial species in both LSD and UCD-T2DM rats. For example, indole-3-propionic acid negatively correlated with species within the Oscillibacter genus in UCD-T2DM rats considered to be prediabetic or recently diagnosed diabetic, in contrast to gluconic acid and trimethylamine, which were positively correlated with Oscillibacter species. The application of a xenometabolite-enriched metabolomics assay in relevant milieus will enable rapid identification of a wide variety of gut-derived metabolites, their derivatives, and their potential biochemical origins of xenometabolites in relationship to host gastrointestinal microbial ecology.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We debut a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) platform called the XenoScan, which is a metabolomics platform for xenometabolites (nonself-originating metabolites). This assay has 190 in-house standards with the majority enriched for microbe-derived metabolites. As a proof-of-principle, we used the XenoScan to discriminate genetic differences from cecal samples associated with different rat lineages, in addition to characterizing diabetes progression in rat model of type 2 diabetes. Complementing microbial sequencing data with xenometabolites uncovered novel microbial metabolism in targeted organisms.

Dynamic assessment of microbial ecology (DAME): a web app for interactive analysis and visualization of microbial sequencing data.

Summary: Dynamic assessment of microbial ecology (DAME) is a Shiny-based web application for interactive analysis and visualization of microbial sequencing data. DAME provides researchers not familiar with R programming the ability to access the most current R functions utilized for ecology and gene sequencing data analyses. Currently, DAME supports group comparisons of several ecological estimates of α-diversity and ß-diversity, along with differential abundance analysis of individual taxa. Using the Shiny framework, the user has complete control of all aspects of the data analysis, including sample/experimental group selection and filtering, estimate selection, statistical methods and visualization parameters. Furthermore, graphical and tabular outputs are supported by R packages using D3.js and are fully interactive. Availability and implementation: DAME was implemented in R but can be modified by Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. It is freely available on the web at https://acnc-shinyapps.shinyapps.io/DAME/. Local installation and source code are available through Github (https://github.com/bdpiccolo/ACNC-DAME). Any system with R can launch DAME locally provided the shiny package is installed. Contact: bdpiccolo@uams.edu.

Neonatal Diet Impacts Bioregional Microbiota Composition in Piglets Fed Human Breast Milk or Infant Formula.

BACKGROUND: Early infant diet influences postnatal gut microbial development, which in turn can modulate the developing immune system. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize diet-specific bioregional microbiota differences in piglets fed either human breast milk (HM) or infant formula. METHODS: Male piglets (White Dutch Landrace Duroc) were raised on HM or cow milk formula (MF) from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 21 and weaned to an ad libitum diet until PND 51. Piglets were euthanized on either PND 21 or PND 51, and the gastrointestinal contents were collected for 16s RNA sequencing. Data were analyzed using the Quantitative Insight into Microbial Ecology. Diversity measurements (Chao1 and Shannon) and the Wald test were used to determine relative abundance. RESULTS: At PND 21, the ileal luminal region of HM-fed piglets showed lower Chao1 operational taxonomic unit diversity, while Shannon diversity was lower in cecal, proximal colon (PC), and distal colon (DC) luminal regions, relative to MF-fed piglets. In addition, at PND 51, the HM-fed piglets had lower genera diversity within the jejunum, ileum, PC, and DC luminal regions, relative to MF-fed piglets. At PND 21, Turicibacter was 4- to 5-fold lower in the HM-fed piglets' ileal, cecal, PC, and DC luminal regions, relative to the MF-fed piglets. Campylobacter is 3- to 6-fold higher in HM-fed piglets duodenal, ileal, cecal, PC, and DC luminal regions, in comparison to MF-fed piglets. Furthermore, the large intestine (cecum, PC, and rectum) luminal region of HM-fed piglets showed 4- to 7-fold higher genera that belong to class Bacteroidia, in comparison to MF-fed piglets at PND 21. In addition, at PND 51 distal colon lumen of HM-fed piglets showed 1.5-fold higher genera from class Bacteroidia than the MF-fed piglets. CONCLUSIONS: In the large intestinal regions (cecum, PC, and rectum), MF diet alters microbiota composition, relative to HM diet, with sustained effects after weaning from the neonatal diet. These microbiota changes could impact immune system and health outcomes later in life.

Cecal versus fecal microbiota in Ossabaw swine and implications for obesity.

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the onset and progression of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. However, it is not well documented whether the cecal vs. the fecal microbiome is more relevant when assessing their contributions to these diseases. Here, we amplified the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene from cecal and fecal samples of female Ossabaw swine fed a low-fat control diet (10.5% fat, n = 4) or Western diet (43.0% fat, 17.8% high fructose corn syrup, 2% cholesterol; n = 3) for 36 wk. Obesity significantly lowered alpha-diversity ( P < 0.05), and there was clear separation in beta-diversity between lean and obese pigs, as well as between cecal and fecal samples ( P < 0.05). Obesity dramatically increased ( P < 0.05) the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in fecal samples, and Actinobacteria was higher ( P < 0.05) in fecal vs. cecal samples in obese pigs. Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria were increased ( P < 0.05), while Spirochaetes, Tenericutes, and Verrucomicrobia were decreased ( P < 0.05) in obese vs. lean pigs. Prevotellaceae was reduced ( P < 0.05) in obese fecal vs. cecal samples. Moreover, cecal samples in obese had greater ( P < 0.05) predicted metabolic capacity for glycan biosynthesis and metabolism and LPS biosynthesis compared with fecal. Obese pigs also had greater ( P < 0.05) capacity for carbohydrate metabolism, which was driven by obese fecal rather than cecal samples and was opposite in lean pigs ( P < 0.05). The observed differences in pro-inflammatory microbiota and their metabolic capacity in cecal vs. fecal samples of obese pigs provide new insight into evaluating the microbiome in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic disease.

Diabetes-associated alterations in the cecal microbiome and metabolome are independent of diet or environment in the UC Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat model.

The composition of the gut microbiome is altered in obesity and type 2 diabetes; however, it is not known whether these alterations are mediated by dietary factors or related to declines in metabolic health. To address this, cecal contents were collected from age-matched, chow-fed male University of California, Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats before the onset of diabetes (prediabetic PD; n = 15), 2 wk recently diabetic (RD; n = 10), 3 mo (D3M; n = 11), and 6 mo (D6M; n = 8) postonset of diabetes. Bacterial species and functional gene counts were assessed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing of bacterial DNA in cecal contents, while metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-quadrupole time-off-flight-mass spectrometry. Metagenomic analysis showed a shift from Firmicutes species in early stages of diabetes (PD + RD) toward an enrichment of Bacteroidetes species in later stages of diabetes (D3M + D6M). In total, 45 bacterial species discriminated early and late stages of diabetes with 25 of these belonging to either Bacteroides or Prevotella genera. Furthermore, 61 bacterial gene clusters discriminated early and later stages of diabetes with elevations of enzymes related to stress response (e.g., glutathione and glutaredoxin) and amino acid, carbohydrate, and bacterial cell wall metabolism. Twenty-five cecal metabolites discriminated early vs. late stages of diabetes, with the largest differences observed in abundances of dehydroabietic acid and phosphate. Alterations in the gut microbiota and cecal metabolome track diabetes progression in UCD-T2DM rats when controlling for diet, age, and housing environment. Results suggest that diabetes-specific host signals impact the ecology and end product metabolites of the gut microbiome when diet is held constant.

High-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol feeding causes severe NASH and cecal microbiota dysbiosis in juvenile Ossabaw swine.

Pediatric obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are on the rise in industrialized countries, yet our ability to mechanistically examine this relationship is limited by the lack of a suitable higher animal models. Here, we examined the effects of high-fat, high-fructose corn syrup, high-cholesterol Western-style diet (WD)-induced obesity on NASH and cecal microbiota dysbiosis in juvenile Ossabaw swine. Juvenile female Ossabaw swine (5 wk old) were fed WD (43.0% fat; 17.8% high-fructose corn syrup; 2% cholesterol) or low-fat diet (CON/lean; 10.5% fat) for 16 wk ( n = 6 each) or 36 wk ( n = 4 each). WD-fed pigs developed obesity, dyslipidemia, and systemic insulin resistance compared with CON pigs. In addition, obese WD-fed pigs developed severe NASH, with hepatic steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis after 16 wk, with further exacerbation of histological inflammation and fibrosis after 36 wk of WD feeding. WD feeding also resulted in robust cecal microbiota changes including increased relative abundances of families and genera in Proteobacteria ( P < 0.05) (i.e., Enterobacteriaceae, Succinivibrionaceae, and Succinivibrio) and LPS-containing Desulfovibrionaceae and Desulfovibrio and a greater ( P < 0.05) predicted microbial metabolic function for LPS biosynthesis, LPS biosynthesis proteins, and peptidoglycan synthesis compared with CON-fed pigs. Overall, juvenile Ossabaw swine fed a high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol diet develop obesity and severe microbiota dysbiosis with a proinflammatory signature and a NASH phenotype directly relevant to the pediatric/adolescent and young adult population.

Exploring the entry route of palmitic acid and palmitoylcarnitine into myoglobin.

Myoglobin, besides its role in oxygen turnover, has gained recognition as a potential regulator of lipid metabolism. Previously, we confirmed the interaction of fatty acids and acylcarnitines with Oxy-Myoglobin, using both molecular dynamic simulations and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry studies. However, those studies were limited to testing only the binding sites derived from homology to fatty acid binding proteins and predictions using automated docking. To explore the entry mechanisms of the lipid ligands into myoglobin, we conducted molecular dynamic simulations of murine Oxy- and Deoxy-Mb structures with palmitate or palmitoylcarnitine starting at different positions near the protein surface. The simulations indicated that both ligands readily (under ∼10-20 ns) enter the Oxy-Mb structure through a dynamic area ("portal region") near heme, known to be the entry point for small molecule gaseous ligands like O2, CO and NO. The entry is not observed with Deoxy-Mb where lipid ligands move away from protein surface, due to a compaction of the entry portal and the heme-containing crevice in the Mb protein upon O2 removal. The results suggest quick spontaneous binding of lipids to Mb driven by hydrophobic interactions, strongly enhanced by oxygenation, and consistent with the emergent role of Mb in lipid metabolism.

Infant Formula Feeding Increases Hepatic Cholesterol 7α Hydroxylase (CYP7A1) Expression and Fecal Bile Acid Loss in Neonatal Piglets.

Background: During the postnatal feeding period, formula-fed infants have higher cholesterol synthesis rates and lower circulating cholesterol concentrations than their breastfed counterparts. Although this disparity has been attributed to the uniformly low dietary cholesterol content of typical infant formulas, little is known of the underlying mechanisms associated with this altered cholesterol metabolism phenotype. Objective: We aimed to determine the molecular etiology of diet-associated changes in early-life cholesterol metabolism with the use of a postnatal piglet feeding model. Methods: Two-day-old male and female White-Dutch Landrace piglets were fed either sow milk (Sow group) or dairy-based (Milk group; Similac Advance powder) or soy-based (Soy group; Emfamil Prosobee Lipil powder) infant formulas until day 21. In addition to measuring serum cholesterol concentrations, hepatic and intestinal genes involved in enterohepatic circulation of cholesterol and bile acids were analyzed by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Bile acid concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in serum, liver, and feces. Results: Compared with the Sow group, hepatic cholesterol 7α hydroxylase (CYP7A1) protein expression was 3-fold higher in the Milk group (P < 0.05) and expression was 10-fold higher in the Soy group compared with the Milk group (P < 0.05). Likewise, fecal bile acid concentrations were 3-fold higher in the Soy group compared with the Milk group (P < 0.05). Intestinal mRNA expression of fibroblast factor 19 (Fgf19) was reduced in the Milk and Soy groups, corresponding to 54% and 67% decreases compared with the Sow group. In the Soy group, small heterodimer protein (SHP) protein expression was 30% lower compared with the Sow group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that formula feeding leads to increased CYP7A1 protein expression and fecal bile acid loss in neonatal piglets, and this outcome is linked to reduced efficacy in inhibiting CYP7A1 expression through FGF19 and SHP transcriptional repression mechanisms.

Human Breast-Milk Feeding Enhances the Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Neonatal Piglets.

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding infants are well characterized, including those on the immune system. However, determining the mechanism by which human breast milk (HBM) elicits effects on immune response requires investigation in an appropriate animal model. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to develop a novel porcine model and to determine the differential effects of feeding HBM and a commercial milk formula (MF) on immune response and gastrointestinal microbial colonization in a controlled environment. Methods: Male piglets were fed HBM (n = 26) or MF (n = 26) from day 2 through day 21. Piglets were vaccinated (n = 9/diet group) with cholera toxin and cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) and tetanus toxoid at 21 d or were fed placebo (n = 6/diet group) and then weaned to a standard solid diet at the age of 21 d. Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were assessed from blood on days 35 and 48. Immune response was further examined from tissues, including mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), Peyer's patches (PPs), and spleen. The colonization of gut microbiota was characterized from feces on days 16 and 49. Results: Serum antibody titers in piglets fed HBM were 4-fold higher (P < 0.05) to CTB and 3-fold higher (P < 0.05) to tetanus toxoid compared with piglets fed MF on day 48. Compared with MF, the numbers of immunoglobulin A antibody-producing cells to CTB were 13-fold higher (P < 0.05) in MLNs and 11-fold higher (P < 0.05) in PPs in the HBM diet group on day 51. In addition, significantly increased T cell proliferation was observed in the HBM group relative to the MF group. Furthermore, microbial diversity in the HBM group was lower (P < 0.05) than in the MF group. Conclusions: This porcine model appears to be valid for studying the effects of early postnatal diet on immune responses and the gastrointestinal microbiome. Our results lay the groundwork for future studies defining the role of infant diet on microbiota and immune function.

Novel Molecular Interactions of Acylcarnitines and Fatty Acids with Myoglobin.

Previous research has indicated that long-chain fatty acids can bind myoglobin (Mb) in an oxygen-dependent manner. This suggests that oxy-Mb may play an important role in fuel delivery in Mb-rich muscle fibers (e.g. type I fibers and cardiomyocytes), and raises the possibility that Mb also serves as an acylcarnitine-binding protein. We report for the first time the putative interaction and affinity characteristics for different chain lengths of both fatty acids and acylcarnitines with oxy-Mb using molecular dynamic simulations and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments. We found that short- to medium-chain fatty acids or acylcarnitines (ranging from C2:0 to C10:0) fail to achieve a stable conformation with oxy-Mb. Furthermore, our results indicate that C12:0 is the minimum chain length essential for stable binding of either fatty acids or acylcarnitines with oxy-Mb. Importantly, the empirical lipid binding studies were consistent with structural modeling. These results reveal that: (i) the lipid binding affinity for oxy-Mb increases as the chain length increases (i.e. C12:0 to C18:1), (ii) the binding affinities of acylcarnitines are higher when compared with their respective fatty acid counterparts, and (iii) both fatty acids and acylcarnitines bind to oxy-Mb in 1:1 stoichiometry. Taken together, our results support a model in which oxy-Mb is a novel regulator of long-chain acylcarnitine and fatty acid pools in Mb-rich tissues. This has important implications for physiological fuel management during exercise, and relevance to pathophysiological conditions (e.g. fatty acid oxidation disorders and cardiac ischemia) where long-chain acylcarnitine accumulation is evident.

Early Postnatal Diets Affect the Bioregional Small Intestine Microbiome and Ileal Metabolome in Neonatal Pigs.

Background: Breastfeeding is known to be protective against gastrointestinal disorders and may modify gut development. Although the gut microbiome has been implicated, little is known about how early diet affects the small intestine microbiome.Objective: We hypothesized that disparate early diets would promote unique microbial profiles in the small intestines of neonatal pigs.Methods: Male and female 2-d-old White Dutch Landrace pigs were either sow fed or provided dairy (Similac Advance powder; Ross Products Abbott Laboratories) or soy (Enfamil Prosobee Lipil powder; Mead Johnson Nutritionals) infant formulas until day 21. Bacterial ecology was assessed in the contents of the small intestine through the use of 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. α-Diversity, ß-diversity, and differential abundances of operational taxonomic units were assessed by ANOVA, permutational ANOVA, and negative binomial regression, respectively. Ileum tissue metabolomics were measured by LC-mass spectrometry and assessed by weighted correlation network analysis.Results: Greater α-diversity was observed in the duodena of sow-fed compared with formula-fed neonatal pigs (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the ilea. Firmicutes represented the most abundant phylum across all diets in duodena (78.8%, 80.1%, and 53.4% relative abundance in sow, dairy, and soy groups, respectively), followed by Proteobacteria in sow (12.2%) and dairy (12.4%) groups and Cyanobacteria in soy-fed (36.2%) pigs. In contrast to those in the duodenum, Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in the ileum, with >60% relative abundance in all of the groups. In the duodenum, 77 genera were altered by diet, followed by 48 in the jejunum and 19 in the ileum. Metabolomics analyses revealed associations between ileum tissue metabolites (e.g., acylcarnitines, 3-aminoisobutyric acid) and diet-responsive microbial genera.Conclusions: These results indicate that the neonatal diet has regional effects on the small intestine microbiome in pigs, with the most pronounced effects occurring in the duodena. Regional effects may be important factors when considering gut tissue metabolism and development in the postnatal period.