Short Communication: Supplementation with calcium butyrate causes an increase in the percentage of oxidative fibers in equine gluteus medius muscle.
Abstract: Optimal athletic performance requires meeting the energetic demands of the muscle fibers, which are a function of myosin ATPase enzymatic activity. Skeletal muscle with a predominant oxidative metabolism underlies equine athletic success. Sodium butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, can affect muscle fiber composition in pigs. To determine if a similar scenario exists in horses, 12 adult Thoroughbred geldings (7.4 ± 0.6 yr of age; mean ± SEM) were fed 16 g of calcium butyrate (CB) or an equivalent amount of carrier (CON) daily for 30 d in a crossover design. Middle gluteal muscle biopsies were collected before and after the feeding trial for immunohistochemical determination of fiber type, and RNA and protein isolation. After 30 d, CB increased (P 0.05) in type I, IIA, or IIX fiber size were observed in response to CB. No differences (P > 0.05) were noted in the abundance of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) protein or activity between horses receiving CB or CON. Myogenin mRNA abundance was unaffected (P > 0.05) by 30 d of CB supplementation. The increase in type IIA fibers in the absence of altered mitochondrial SDH enzymatic activity suggests that CB affects myosin ATPase expression independent of altered metabolism. The largest tissue in the body, skeletal muscle, is a heterogeneous mix of fibers that are categorized based on their primary source of energy production and speed of contraction. Evidence suggests that Thoroughbred horses with a greater percentage of type IIA, fast-twitch, oxidative fibers are more successful than those with fewer. Pigs fed a diet supplemented with butyrate contained a greater percentage of oxidative muscle fibers. This study examined the ability of calcium butyrate (CB), a short-chain fatty acid, to alter muscle fiber composition in horses. Adult Thoroughbred geldings were supplemented with a placebo or CB for 30 d, and gluteus medius muscle biopsies were retrieved and analyzed for fiber type, myogenin expression, and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. Results demonstrate a small increase in the percentage of type IIA fibers without a change in SDH activity, a marker of oxidative metabolism. Myogenin expression remained unaffected by CB supplementation. These efforts underscore the need for further research to validate improved exercise performance in response to CB supplementation and identify a mechanism of action for the fatty acid in the equine skeletal muscle.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-01 PubMed ID: 35908781PubMed Central: PMC9339314DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac108Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the effect of calcium butyrate (CB) supplementation on equine muscle fibers and indicates that CB might increase the percentage of type IIA or oxidative fibers in horse muscles, potentially leading to enhanced athletic performance.
Understanding the Context:
- The competitive prowess of a racehorse greatly relies on its muscle metabolism, primarily the energy supplied by muscle fibers. The muscle fibers are categorized based on their primary source of energy production and quickness of contraction.
- Thoroughbred horses with more type IIA or fast-twitch, oxidative fibers (those that can produce energy aerobically) are seen to perform better athletically.
- Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, has been observed to impact muscle fiber composition in pigs, promoting the growth of oxidative muscle fibers. The research explores whether a similar impact can be achieved in horses using a specific variant – calcium butyrate (CB).
Experimental Design and Methodology:
- 12 adult Thoroughbred geldings (neutered males) were fed 16 grams of calcium butyrate or a placebo each day for 30 days under a crossover research design where the subjects were alternately given CB and placebo.
- Biopsies of the middle gluteal muscle were taken both before and after the feeding trial. The samples were then subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for determining fiber type, and examined for RNA and protein health.
Findings from the research:
- In horses receiving the CB supplementation, the percentage of type IIA fibers increased but there was no significant impact on the quantities of type IIX fibers. The overall size of type I, IIA, or IIX fibers did not change due to CB supplementation.
- There was no change in the quantitative presence or activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) protein, which is a marker of oxidative metabolism. Myogenin mRNA, related to muscle development, was unaffected by 30 days of CB supplementation.
- Despite the increase in type IIA fibers, there seemed to be no altered SDH enzymatic activity, indicating that CB affects myosin ATPase expression independent of altered metabolism. Myosin ATPases are enzymes involved in muscle contraction processes.
- The research suggests that CB might function by changing the muscle fiber composition independently of metabolic alterations. However, the performance improvement claimed needs to be concurrent with proof from further research.
Future Implications:
- Although the study showed a slight increase in the percentage of type IIA fibers, it does not necessarily infer improved exercise performance. Thus, the research calls for a need for further investigation into the relationship between CB supplementation and enhanced athletic performance in horses.
- The scope of the study was limited to the potential influence on fiber type, so the detailed mechanism of how CB may facilitate potential performance enhancements remains unknown. Exploring this could provide a clearer understanding of the fatty acid’s role in equine skeletal muscle functioning.
Cite This Article
APA
Busse NI, Gonzalez ML, Wagner AL, Johnson SE.
(2022).
Short Communication: Supplementation with calcium butyrate causes an increase in the percentage of oxidative fibers in equine gluteus medius muscle.
J Anim Sci, 100(8), skac108.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac108 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Probiotech International, Inc., Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Butyrates / metabolism
- Calcium / metabolism
- Dietary Supplements
- Horses
- Male
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
- Myosin Heavy Chains / genetics
- Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism
- Myosins
- Oxidative Stress
- Swine
Grant Funding
- Probiotech International, Incorporated
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