How does genetic modification reduce fatty liver syndrome in poultry?

What is the relation of gene expression/dysregulated genes with fatty liver syndrome?

Understand the gene regulation to control fatty liver syndrome in poultry.

Choline is an essential nutrient in poultry, you can refer to our previous blog to understand the importance of choline in poultry’s diet.

Biochemical functions of Choline: (Make an Image from this content)

1.    It is a major component of phospholipids, which are needed to build the cell membrane and transport lipids.

2.    A lipotropic factor—decreases hepatic lipid accumulation and increases phospholipid and lipoprotein synthesis while promoting the exportation of triacylglycerols from the liver.

3.    It is an important cofactor in synthesizing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter.

Choline (a part of VLDL) mobilizes hepatic lipids to prevent fatty liver syndrome

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.

Genes encoding the enzymes (mentioned with red border in the above image) of 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 increases?

It will result in…

·Enhanced influx of choline through a one-carbon metabolism pathway, hence limiting the access to choline required in other pathways such as CDP-choline.

·Maximum metabolism of dietary choline, hence reducing the formation of phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is one of the essential phospholipids required in the formation of lipoproteins for their transportation to various organs.

· Reduced lipoprotein transport will lead to lipid deposition in the liver tissue, a common feature of fat accumulation in a bird’s liver.

Thus, by downregulating the genes involved in the one-carbon metabolism of choline, especially in cases of fatty liver syndrome, maximum free choline will be available to metabolize through the CDP-choline pathway. It will synthesize phospholipids, primarily phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which will be further transported to other body tissues along with lipoproteins. This may alleviate fat accumulation in the liver.

To regulate this gene expression in fatty liver syndrome, we have formulated a plant-based natural alternative

VinCholine

VinCholine is a “natural source of Choline conjugates” that can replace synthetic choline in feed and hence shows no harmful side effects on poultry’s health. The phytogenic active conjugates of choline in VinCholine have intrinsic bio-actives on 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.