Effects of rumen metabolite butyric acid on bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells proliferation, apoptosis and transcriptional states during myogenic differentiation

Butyric acid, a pivotal short-chain fatty acid in rumen digestion, profoundly influences animal digestive and locomotor systems. Extensive research indicates its direct or indirect involvement in the growth and development of muscle and fat cells. However, the impact of butyric acid on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of butyrate on SMSCs proliferation and differentiation. After isolating, SMSCs were subjected to varying concentrations of sodium butyrate (NaB) during the proliferation and differentiation stages. Optimal treatment conditions (1 mM NaB for 2 days) were determined based on proliferative force, cell viability, and mRNA expression of proliferation and differentiation marker genes. Transcriptome sequencing was employed to screen for differential gene expression between 1 mM NaB-treated and untreated groups during SMSCs differentiation. Results indicated that lower NaB concentrations (≤1.0 mM) inhibited proliferation while promoting differentiation and apoptosis after a 2-day treatment. Conversely, higher NaB concentrations (≥2.0 mM) suppressed proliferation and differentiation and induced apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed differential expression of genes(ND1, ND3, CYTB, COX2, ATP6, MYOZ2, MYOZ3, MYBPC1 and ATP6V0A4,etc.) were associated with SMSCs differentiation and energy metabolism, enriching pathways such as Oxidative phosphorylation, MAPK, and Wnt signaling. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying butyrate regulation of bovine SMSCs proliferation and differentiation, as well as muscle fiber type conversion in the future study.