Fatty acid metabolization and insulin regulation prevent liver injury from lipid accumulation in Himalayan marmots

Ziqiang Bao; Cheng Guo; Yi Chen; Cheng Li; Tao Lei; Shuailing Zhou; Dunwu Qi; Zuofu Xiang

Cell Reports (Jul 2023)

Fatty acid metabolization and insulin regulation prevent liver injury from lipid accumulation in Himalayan marmots

Ziqiang Bao,
Cheng Guo,
Yi Chen,
Cheng Li,
Tao Lei,
Shuailing Zhou,
Dunwu Qi,
Zuofu Xiang

Affiliations

Ziqiang Bao: College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
Cheng Guo: College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
Yi Chen: Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
Cheng Li: College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, China
Tao Lei: College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
Shuailing Zhou: College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
Dunwu Qi: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, China
Zuofu Xiang: Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Yuelushan Laboratory, Carbon Sinks Forests Variety Innovation Center, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 42, no. 7
p. 112718

Abstract

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Summary: Fat storage and weight gain are dominant traits for hibernating mammals. However, excessive fat accumulation may cause liver damage. Here, we explore the lipid accumulation and metabolic processes of the Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana), a hibernating rodent species. We find that the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content in food was consistent with a large increase in the body mass of Himalayan marmots. Metagenomic analysis shows that Firmicutes Bacterium CAG:110 plays a synergistic role by synthesizing UFAs, which is demonstrated by fecal transplantation experiments, indicating that the gut microbiome promotes fat storage in Himalayan marmots for hibernation. Microscopic examination results indicate that the risk of fatty liver appears at maximum weight; however, liver function is not affected. Upregulations of UFA catabolism and insulin-like growth factor binding protein genes provide an entry point for avoiding liver injury.

CP: Metabolism

Published in Cell Reports

ISSN: 2211-1247 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/home

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