Effect of 2,4-Thiazolidinedione on Limousin Cattle Growth and on Muscle and Adipose Tissue Metabolism

Abstract EN

The main adipogenic transcription factor PPARγ possesses high affinity to 2,4-TZD, a member of the Thiazolidinedione family of insulin-sensitizing compounds used as adipogenic agents.

We evaluated 2,4-TZD’s effect on bovine growth and PPAR tissue expression.

Seventeen Limousin bulls (18 month-old; 350 kg body weight (BW)) were assigned into 2 treatments: control and 2,4-TZD (8 mg/70 kg BW) and were fed until bulls reached 500 kg BW.

They were weighed and their blood was sampled.

DNA, RNA, and protein were determined in liver; skeletal muscle; subcutaneous (SC), omental, perirenal adipose tissues (AT) to determine protein synthesis rate and cellular size.

Expression of PPAR mRNA was measured in liver and muscle (PPARα, -δ, and -γ) and SC adipose tissue (γ) by real-time PCR.

No significant differences were found (P>0.1) in weight gain, days on feed, and carcass quality.

Muscle synthesis was greater in controls (P<0.05); cell size was larger with 2,4-TZD (P<0.05).

PPARα, -δ, and -γ expressions with 2,4-TZD in liver were lower (P<0.01) than in muscle.

No differences were found for PPARγ mRNA expression in SCAT.

The results suggest the potential use of 2,4-TZD in beef cattle diets, because it improves AT differentiation, liver, and muscle fatty acid oxidation that, therefore, might improve energy efficiency.