Surplus dietary isoleucine intake enhanced monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis and fat accumulation in skeletal muscle of finishing pigs

BACKGROUND: Isoleucine (Ile) has been implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis and adipogenesis. However, the impact of surplus dietary Ile intake on muscle lipogenesis remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary supplementation of extra-Ile on lipogenesis, fatty acid profile and lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle in finishing pigs. METHODS: Forty-eight barrows with initial body weight of 77.0 ± 0.1 kg were allotted to one of two groups and fed diets containing 0.39%, 0.53% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Ile with six replicates per treatment and four pigs per replicate for 30 d. RESULTS: Dietary Ile intake significantly improved the intramuscular fat (IMF) content and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) concentration in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.05), and decreased the drip loss and shear force (P < 0.05) without influencing the growth performance of pigs (P > 0.05). Moreover, the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) proteins that monitor lipid metabolism were decreased in skeletal muscle of pigs offered extra-Ile diet (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of adipose-specific genes adipocyte determination and differentiation factor 1 (ADD1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) were upregulated and the activity of SCD was increased as well (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surplus dietary Ile intake could increase IMF accumulation and MUFA synthesis in skeletal muscle through depressing the phosphorylation of AMPKα-ACC and stimulating the expression and activity of SCD, and increasing the capability of lipogenesis in skeletal muscle. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s40104-018-0306-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.