Preferential deposition of dairy derived fatty acids in muscle tissue is partially due to the upregulation of CD36 in a low-birth-weight swine model

Metabolic syndrome is a worldwide health issue. Previous research has revealed that low-birth weight (LBW) swine fed a high-fat (HF) diet were susceptible to insulin resistance (IR) and developed a preferential intestinal lipid absorption, hypertriglyceridemia, and muscle steatosis. We hypothesized that fatty acid transporters such as CD36, FATP4, and FABP2 could potentially explain the development of these conditions. In addition, dairy-derived fatty acids have been shown to be valid biomarkers to assess dairy intake, which can be utilized to investigate muscle lipid deposition in LBW swine. The overall aim of this study was to delineate molecular transport candidates responsible for intestinal lipid absorption and muscle lipid deposition in LBW swine; and secondly to determine what dietary fatty acids might accumulate preferentially in pork muscle when consuming dairy products. At 5 weeks of age, normal birth weight (NBW) and LBW piglets were randomly assigned to three experimental diets: 1-chow diet, 2-HF diet, or 3-isocaloric HF diet supplemented with full fat dairy products. At 12 weeks of age, piglets were euthanized, and carcass, fasting plasma, biceps femoris and jejunum mucosal scrapings were collected. Results showed that HF-fed LBW swine exhibited early signs of IR (fasting glucose, P < 0.05; fasting insulin, P = 0.091; HOMA-IR, P = 0.086) compared with NBW-Chow, which were attenuated with increased dairy intake. Muscle samples from HF-fed LBW swine contained significantly more triglyceride compared to Chow-fed NBW swine (P < 0.05). Increased dairy intake significantly increased myristic acid (C14:0) and DPA (C22:5n3) relative to HF feeding alone (P < 0.05). All HF-fed LBW swine (regardless of dairy intake) exhibited an upregulation of CD36 expression (but not FABP2) compared with NBW littermates in both the small intestine and muscle (P < 0.05). Interestingly, increased dairy intake significantly increased the Canadian Lean Yield percentage in LBW swine fed an HF diet (P < 0.05). Findings from this study provide evidence on the mechanistic pathway of intestinal and muscle lipid metabolism in an innovative LBW swine model. We have also revealed that increasing dairy intake can enhance the incorporation of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids into pork, as well as increasing the predicted lean yield of the carcass.Metabolic syndrome affects millions of people worldwide, and large animal models represent a unique opportunity for research advancement. Intensive swine production can induce low-birth weight (LBW) litters. We have developed an innovative LBW swine model to investigate insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. We present evidence to explain how LBW swine can upregulate lipid intestinal absorption as well as preferentially increase pork marbling. We have also identified a potential added value approach to increase healthy fatty acids in pork and/or increase the carcass lean yield in LBW swine.