Effects of short term fasting on the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in chicks

The aim of this study was to analyze the expression patterns of key genes involved in lipid metabolism in response to short term fasting in chicks (Gallus gallus). The mRNA level of the genes was analyzed after 0, 2, and 4 h of fasting in the liver and white adipose tissue. In the liver, the mRNA level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α was significantly increased after 2 h of fasting. The mRNA levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a and acyl-CoA oxidase were significantly increased after 4 h of fasting. In contrast, the mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase α, and fatty acid synthase were significantly decreased after 4 h of fasting. The mRNA levels of cholesterol metabolism-related genes such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase were significantly decreased after 4 h of fasting. In the white adipose tissue, the mRNA level of adipose triglyceride lipase was significantly increased after 4 h of fasting. In contrast, the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and lipoprotein lipase were significantly decreased after 4 h of fasting. These results demonstrated that the gene expression of lipid metabolism-related genes is regulated by short term fasting in both the liver and WAT in chicks.