Effect of dietary copper addition on lipid metabolism in rabbits

  • Liu Lei
  • Sui Xiaoyi
  • Li Fuchang
Keywords: Copper, lipid metabolism, rabbits, AMPK, PPAR

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of copper supplementation on lipid
metabolism in rabbits. Our study showed dietary copper addition (5-45 mg/kg) increased body
mass gain, but decreased fat and liver weights compared with those in the control group (P <
0.05). Copper (45 mg/kg) addition significantly increased the skeletal muscle weight, but inhibited
cytoplasmic lipid accumulation in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue (P < 0.05). Compared
with the control group, dietary copper addition (45 mg/kg) significantly increased plasma
triglyceride levels but decreased very low density lipoprotein levels (P < 0.05). Copper treatment
significantly increased gene expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) 1, CPT2 and
peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) a in liver (P < 0.05). In skeletal muscle, CPT1,
CPT2, fatty acid transport protein, fatty acid-binding protein, and PPARa mRNA as well as
phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels were significantly up-regulated by
copper treatment (P < 0.05). Rabbits receiving copper supplementation had higher CPT1, CPT2,
PPARa and hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA levels in adipose tissue (P < 0.05). In conclusion,
copper promoted skeletal muscle growth and reduced fat accretion. PPARa signaling in liver,
skeletal muscle and adipose tissues and AMPK signaling in skeletal muscle tissue were involved in
the regulation of lipid metabolism by copper.

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Published
2017-07-06
How to Cite
Lei L., Xiaoyi S., & Fuchang L. (2017). Effect of dietary copper addition on lipid metabolism in rabbits. Food & Nutrition Research, 61. Retrieved from https://foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/1250
Section
Original Articles