Propionate enhances the expression of key genes involved in the gluconeogenic pathway in bovine intestinal epithelial cells

Approximately 15 to 50% of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) reach the ruminant small intestine. Previous research suggests that activation of small intestinal gluconeogenesis induced by propionate has beneficial effects on energy homeostasis. However, the regulatory effect of propionate on key gluconeogenic genes in enterocytes of the bovine small intestine remains less known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish the long-term cultures of bovine intestinal epithelial cells (BIEC) from bovine jejunum tissue using SV40T (1:200; Santa Cruz, Shanghai, China) and investigate the regulatory effect of propionate on the key gluconeogenic genes in BIEC. Our study showed that long-term BIEC cultures were established by SV40T-induced immortalization. Immortal BIEC were distinguished by the expression of cytokeratin 18, villin, fatty acid binding protein 2, and small intestine peptidase. The mRNA expression of genes involved in the SCFA transporters, monocarboxylate transporter 4, and Na+/H+ exchanger isoforms 1 were significantly elevated with 20 mM SCFA compared with untreated controls. In addition, BIEC exhibited significant uptake of propionate and butyrate from the culture medium. Remarkably, 3 mM propionate induced profound changes in mRNA level of key genes involved in gluconeogenesis, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2, pyruvate carboxylase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha. Additionally, 3 mM propionate enhanced the expression of PGC1A mRNA at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h of incubation. These findings suggest that propionate controls the mRNA expression of genes involved in key enzymes for gluconeogenesis in the enterocytes of bovines.