Understanding the gene regulation to control fatty liver syndrome in poultry

 

Choline is an essential nutrient in poultry and plays a major role in combating fatty liver syndrome. Please refer previous blog for more details on fatty liver syndrome in poultry

Biochemical functions of Choline:

 

Let’s Understand the Metabolism of Choline:

Dietary choline is metabolized by two distinct biochemical pathways: the one-carbon metabolism pathway and the CDP-choline pathway. In the one-carbon metabolism pathway, choline is converted into a methyl donor, whereas in the CDP-choline pathway, it is converted into phosphatidylcholine through the action of various enzymes.

 

Phosphatidylcholine is one of the phospholipids, which is composed of a glycerol backbone linked to two fatty acid chains, a phosphate group, and a choline molecule. It is packed in lipoproteins (VLDL) in the liver and transported to the body’s various organs. Hence, phosphatidylcholine plays an important role in fat transportation. Maximum phosphatidylcholine formation may alleviate the severity of fatty liver syndrome in poultry. This can be achieved by elevating the CDP-choline pathway and downregulating the genes involved in one-carbon metabolism.

Genes encoding the enzymes in one-carbon metabolism:

• Chdh encodes Choline dehydrogenase (CHDH)
• Mat 1a encodes Methionine adenosyl transferase 1A (MAT 1A)
• Bhmt encodes Betaine-homocysteine methyl transferase (BHMT)
• Pemt encodes Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PEMT)

What if the expression of these genes are downregulated?

It will result in…

• Reduced influx of choline through a one-carbon metabolism pathway, hence enhancing the access to choline required in other pathways such as CDP-choline.
• Maximum metabolism of dietary choline through the CDP-choline pathway, hence increasing the formation of phosphatidylcholine.
• Improved lipoprotein transport, which will lead to reduced fat accumulation in a bird’s liver.

Thus, by downregulating the genes involved in the one-carbon metabolism of choline, maximum free choline will be available to metabolize through the CDP-choline pathway. It will ultimately synthesize phospholipids, primarily phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine in the liver.

To regulate this gene expression in fatty liver syndrome, choline is been used but it has certain key challenges hence natural plant-based alternative can be a great option

VinCholine is a “natural source of plant-derived Choline conjugates” that helps to regulate fatty liver syndrome in poultry. It is a natural product with no harmful side effects on poultry health, which can replace synthetic choline in feed. The phytoactive compounds in VinCholine have an action to improve liver physiology and metabolism and ensure maximum bioavailability. The essential fatty acids, phospholipids, and other metabolites play a significant role in the metabolism and biosynthesis of a natural form of choline. It is an excellent product with the action of enzymatic modulation that regulates lipid metabolism and plays a significant role in the mobilization of excess abdominal fat.

It effectively enhances the development; performance, and creativity and improves the zootechnical aspects of the poultry birds.

 

*References on request