Effects of feed restriction and dietary fat type on mRNA expression of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in broilers

BACKGROUND: Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) isthe main cytosolic binding site for long chain fatty acids inhepatocytes. FABPs enhance the uptake of fatty acids into thecell by increasing their concentration due to decreasing concentrationof unbound fatty acids inside the cell. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietaryunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and feed restriction onL-FABP mRNA expression. METHODS: A total of 720, 10-dayold male Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed diets with unsaturatedto saturated fatty acid ratio (U/S) of 2, 3.5, 5, or 6.5 as adlibitum or skip-a-day feeding schedule (during 18–28 days ofage). Relative expression of L-FABP mRNA in hepatocytes ofbroilers was determined using quantitative reverse transcriptionreal-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Our resultsshow that feed restriction induced the expression of L-FABPgene in the liver of broilers. Moreover, L-FABP gene expressionwas increased by dietary U/S ratio of 6.5. There was nointeraction between dietary U/S and feed restriction on theL-FABP gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate thatbirds have a mechanism for regulation of fatty acid transferunder different nutritional conditions.

Keywords:

broilers , dietary U/S , feed restriction , L-FABP , real-time PCR