Current Protein and Peptide Science - Volume 20, Issue 7, 2019

Branched chain amino acids are the essential nutrients for humans and many animals. As functional amino acids, they play important roles in physiological functions, including immune functions. Isoleucine, as one of the branched chain amino acids, is also critical in physiological functions of the whole body, such as growth, immunity, protein metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and glucose transportation. Isoleucine can imp Read More

The intestinal epithelial barrier plays a crucial role in the health and growth of weaned piglets. Proper epithelial function mainly depends on tight junctions (TJs), which act as both ion channels and a barrier against noxious molecules. TJs are multiprotein complexes consisting of transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins. Because the intestine in piglets is immature and incomplete, its structure and func Read More

As a major component of biologically active compounds in the body, proteins contribute to the synthesis of body tissues for the renewal and growth of the body. The high level of dietary protein and the imbalance of amino acid (AA) composition in mammals result in metabolic disorders, inefficient utilization of protein resources and increased nitrogen excretion. Fortunately, nutritional interventions can be an effective way Read More

The rapid self-renewal of intestinal epithelial cells enhances intestinal function, promotes the nutritional needs of animals and strengthens intestinal barrier function to resist the invasion of foreign pathogens. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short-chain, non-coding RNAs that regulate stem cell proliferation and differentiation by down-regulating hundreds of conserved target genes after transcription via seed pairing to the 3' unt Read More

Intestines are not only major organs for nutrient digestion and absorption, but are also the largest immune organ in pigs. They are essential for maintaining the health and growth of piglets. Fatty acids, including short-chain fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, are important nutrients; they are a major energy source, important components of the cell membrane, met Read More

Weaning is a critical period for the growth and development of mammals, in which various physiological and biochemical indicators of the body have undergone great changes. The development, differentiation, and maturation of the nervous system are regulated by many proteins. Changes in related proteins affect the physiological functions of the nervous system. However, the regulation of selfrenewal and differentiation of Read More

Weaning is a stressful event associated with gastrointestinal disorders and increased disease susceptibility. Many studies have reported the changes that happened in the gut of various mammals such as pigs and rats after weaning. These findings suggest that the development of intestinal tract mainly is affected at the time of weaning through interfering in the differentiation and proliferation of intestinal stem cells. Weaning stre Read More

Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that a series of remodeling processes occurred in the adipose tissue during the weaning, such as differentiation. Fibroblasts in the breast at weaning stage could re-differentiate into mature adipocytes. Many transcriptional factors were involved in these processes, especially the PPARγ, C/EBP, and SREBP1. There is cell apoptosis participating in the breast tissue degenera Read More

Lactation is a critical phase for brain function development. New dietary experiences of mouse caused by weaning can regulate brain development and function, increase their response to food and environment, and eventually give rise to corresponding behavioral changes. Changes in weaning time induce the alteration of brain tissues morphology and molecular characteristics, glial cell activity and behaviors in the offspring. In Read More

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remains a major problem in swine production since the associated low birth weight leads to high rates of pre-weaning morbidity and mortality, and permanent retardation of growth and development. The underlying regulatory mechanisms from the aspects of epigenetic modification has received widespread attention. Studies explore the changes in genome wide methylation in small intestin Read More

Nutrients can regulate metabolic activities of living organisms through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA regulation. Since the nutrients required for early embryos and postpartum lactation are derived in whole or in part from maternal and lactating nutrition, the maternal nutritional level affects the growth and development of fetus and creates a profound relationship betwe Read More

Weaned piglets experience sudden changes in their dietary patterns such as withdrawal from the easily digestible watery milk to a coarse cereal diet with both systemic and intestinal disruptions coupling with the expression of pro-inflammatory proteins which affects the immune system and the concentrations of haptoglobin including both positive and negative acute-phase proteins in the plasma. L-arginine is an important pr Read More

Obesity is one of the main challenges of public health in the 21st century. Obesity can induce a series of chronic metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and nonalcoholic fatty liver, which seriously affect human health. Gut-brain axis, the two-direction pathway formed between enteric nervous system and central nervous system, plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of obesity. G Read More

Milk is the basic food for infants and newborn animals, providing a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Milk also provides nourishment for people of all ages due to its abundant nutrients, and it is used in the manufacture of numerous health-related products. Milk contains caseins and whey proteins as the two major protein classes. Caseins fall into four major types known as αs1-, αs2-, β- and Κ-ca Read More