Effect of propionate on mRNA expression of key genes for gluconeogenesis in liver of dairy cattle

Elevated needs for glucose in lactating dairy cows are met through a combination of increased capacity for gluconeogenesis and increased supply of gluconeogenic precursors, primarily propionate. This study evaluated the effects of propionate on mRNA expression of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1), mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), pyruvate carboxylase (PC), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC), key gluconeogenic enzymes, and capacity for glucose synthesis in liver of dairy cattle. In experiment 1, six multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design consisting of a 6-d acclimation or washout phase followed by 8 h of postruminal infusion of either propionate (1.68 mol), glucose (0.84 mol), or an equal volume (10 mL/min) of water. In experiment 2, twelve male Holstein calves [39 ± 4 kg initial body weight (BW)] were blocked by birth date and assigned to receive, at 7 d of age, either propionate [2 mmol·h−1·(BW0.75)−1], acetate [3.5 mmol·h−1·(BW.75)−1], or an equal volume (4 mL/min) of saline. In both experiments, blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h relative to the start of infusion and liver biopsy samples were collected at the end of the infusion for mRNA analysis. Liver explants from experiment 1 were used to measure tricarboxylic acid cycle flux and gluconeogenesis using 13C mass isotopomer distribution analysis from 13C3 propionate. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not altered by infusions in cows. Serum insulin concentration in cows receiving propionate was elevated than cows receiving water, but was not different from cows receiving glucose. Hepatic expression of PCK1 and G6PC mRNA and glucose production in cows receiving propionate were not different from cows receiving water, but tended to be higher compared with cows receiving glucose. Hepatic expression of PCK2 and PC mRNA was not altered by propionate infusion in cows. Blood glucose, insulin, and glucagon in calves receiving propionate were not different than controls. Calves receiving propionate had increased PCK1 mRNA, tended to have increased G6PC mRNA, and had similar PC mRNA compared with saline controls. These data indicate a tendency for in vivo effects of propionate to alter hepatic gene expression in mid-lactation cows and neonatal calves, which are consistent with a feed-forward effect of propionate to regulate its own metabolism toward gluconeogenesis through changes in hepatic PCK1 mRNA.