Supplementation with α-ketoglutarate to a low-protein diet enhances amino acid synthesis in tissues and improves protein metabolism in the skeletal muscle of growing pigs

α-Ketoglutarate (AKG) is a crucial intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and can be used for the production of ATP and amino acids in animal tissues. However, the effect of AKG on the expression patterns of genes involved in muscle protein metabolism is largely unknown, and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we used young pigs to investigate the effects of a low crude protein (CP) diet and a low CP diet supplemented with AKG on protein accretion in their skeletal muscle. A total of 27 growing pigs with an initial body weight of 11.96 ± 0.18 kg were assigned randomly to one of the three diets: control (normal recommended 20% CP, NP), low CP (17% CP, LP), or low CP supplemented with 1% AKG (ALP). The pigs were fed their respective diets for 35 days. Free amino acid (AA) profile and hormone levels in the serum, and the expression of genes implicated in protein metabolism in skeletal muscle were examined. Results showed that compared with the control group or LP group, low-protein diets supplemented with AKG enhanced serum and intramuscular free AA concentrations, the mRNA abundances of AA transporters, and serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), activated the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and decreased serum urea concentration and the mRNA levels for genes related to muscle protein degradation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that addition of AKG to a low-protein diet promotes amino acid synthesis in tissues and improves protein metabolism in skeletal muscle.

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