Improved Satellite Cell Proliferation Induced by L-Carnosine Benefits Muscle Growth of Pigs in Part through Activation of the Akt/mTOR/S6K Signaling Pathway

Yaojun Liu, Wenqiang Shen, Tao Liu, Rainer Mosenthin, Yinghui Bao, Peng Chen, Wenbo Hao, Lihong Zhao, Jianyun Zhang, Cheng Ji and Qiugang Ma
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Yaojun Liu: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Wenqiang Shen: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Tao Liu: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Rainer Mosenthin: Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
Yinghui Bao: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Peng Chen: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Wenbo Hao: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Lihong Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Jianyun Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Cheng Ji: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Qiugang Ma: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background: L-carnosine ( β -alanyl-L-histidine), a natural dipeptide, exists at relatively high concentrations in skeletal muscles, and has been shown to protect cells from adverse conditions due to its antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-glycation, and buffering properties. Satellite cells (SCs), residing on the myofiber surface, are crucial for muscle post-growth and regeneration. However, the effects of L-carnosine on muscle development of pigs in vivo, on proliferation and growth of SCs in vitro, and the relationship between SCs and muscle development have not yet been investigated. (2) Methods: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary L-carnosine on growth performance and longissimus dorsi muscle development of pigs in vivo, and to elaborate its molecular mechanisms in vitro using L-carnosine-treated SCs. (3) Results: It was shown that L-carnosine supplementation (0.2 and 2 mM) increased ( p < 0.05) SC proliferation and cell percentage in the synthesis (S) phase and decreased cell percentage in the resting (G0)/first gap (G1)/phase. Moreover, average daily gain (ADG) of pigs fed diets containing 0.1% of L-carnosine was higher ( p < 0.05) than that of pigs fed diets without L-carnosine, and the longissimus dorsi muscle weight of pigs assigned to the L-carnosine treatments was 7.95% higher compared to control pigs. Both in the longissimus dorsi muscle and cultured SCs of pigs, the Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling pathway was activated ( p < 0.05), suggesting that L-carnosine improved muscle growth and SC proliferation of pigs. (4) Conclusions: Considering the important role of SCs in post-natal muscle growth, there is evidence that L-carnosine may improve muscle growth of pigs through promoting SC proliferation via activating the Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling pathway.

Keywords: L-carnosine; satellite cells; proliferation; mTOR signaling pathway; muscle growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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