Integration of Metabolism

A) INTEREST OF THE SUBJECT

The basic metabolic pathways in the cell are studied in the Biochemistry course, which is taught in the first semester of the degree. Nevertheless, higher organisms are made by distinct types of specialized cells which are grouped into tissues with specific functions. The metabolic processes depend on the tissue function so that not all the metabolic pathways happen in every type of specialized cell; on the contrary, each tissue from an animal organism has a specific “metabolic profile” established by its function. In order to operate properly, the metabolic processes that occur in the different tissues of a particular organism have to be strictly regulated and coordinated according to the nutritional status of the animal, the physical exercise it performs, etc.
In this subject -Integration of Metabolism- the metabolic processes are put in the context of the animal as a whole (not in that of a standard cell), which allows students to make use of the knowledge about metabolism acquired in the Biochemistry course. This subjetct will help students to understand the molecular basis of some physiological processes of animals (glycemia regulation, metabolic changes in fasting and feeding, metabolic changes in exercise and rest, lactation, differences between ruminant and monogastric animals), and also to understand the causes of some animal pathologies related to the metabolism (hypoglycaemia, ketosis, diabetes).

B) OBJECTIVES

• To analyze the differences of the metabolic profiles among different animal tissues
• To study the metabolic interrelationships among the different organs and tissues under different physiological and pathological situations
• To analyze the main metabolic differences between monogastric and ruminant animals
• To know the molecular basis of some metabolic pathologies of the animals
• To use some laboratory techniques and to become familiar with the scientific methodology used in the field of life sciences
• To learn scientific terminology related to life sciences

THEORETICAL CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Metabolic profiles of different tissues and organs

1. Biochemistry processes that occur at the digestive system. Enzymatic digestion of nutrients in monogastric animals. Digestion and abortion of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Formation of chylomicrons for the transport of the lipids of diet. Digestion of carbohydrates in ruminants: ruminal fermentations. Digestion of lipids and proteins in ruminants. Digestive processes in horses. [4.5 h lectures]

2. The blood as the mediator of the metabolic interrelactionships among the different organs. Composition of the blood. The main metabolic pathways in erythrocytes. Heme metabolism. Serum proteins. Glucose homeostasis. Transport of lipids in the blood: metabolism of lipoproteins. [4 h lectures]

3. The role of the liver as the central organ in the coordination and regulation of the metabolism. Fuels stored and used by the liver. Metabolic pathways in the liver. The role of the liver in the regulation of glycemia: differences between monogastric and ruminants. Ketogenesis. Molecular basis of ketosis. Ketoacidosis. [3.5 h lectures]

4. Energetic metabolism of the brain. Energy expenditure in the brain. Energetic substrates used in the brain. Role of the astrocytes in the energetic metabolism of the brain. [1 h lectures]

5. Energetic metabolism of the muscle. Biochemical characteristics of the different types of muscular fibers. ATP expenditure in the muscle. Fuels used by the muscle: origin and forms of degradation. Metabolic adaptations to training. [2 h lectures]

6. Metabolism of the adipose tissue. The formation and the mobilization of triglycerides in the adipose tissue: differences between monogastric and ruminants. The endocrine role of the adipose tissue. Brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis. [2 h lectures]

7. Biochemistry of the mammary gland. General aspects of the biology of lactation. Biochemical composition of milk. Physical-chemical properties of milk. Biosynthesis and secretion of the components of milk: lactose, fat and proteins. [3 h lectures]

Chapter 2. Metabolic coordination and integration

8. Hormonal regulation of the energetic metabolism in mammals. Metabolic pathways regulated by insulin, glucagon and adrenaline. [1 h lectures]

9. Metabolic interrelationships among different organs and tissues. Metabolic changes during normal starved-fed cycle. Metabolic alterations in diabetes mellitus. [1 h lectures]

LABORATORY PRACTICES

Session 1 [LB1]. Separation of serum proteins by agarose gel electrophoresis. Interpretation of electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins (proteinograms) from different species of domestic animals. Handling of micropipettes, electrophoresis equipment and gel analysis equipment (3 h laboratory work)

Session 1 [LB2]. Determination of the glucose levels in serum from different species of domestic animals (ruminants and non-ruminants) by enzymatic colorimetric method. Handling of micropipettes and spectrophotometer (3 h laboratory work).

BASIC BOOKS*

- NELSON, D.L. & COX, M.M., Lehninger Principios de Bioquímica, 7ª ed., Ed. Omega, Barcelona, 2018.
- MCKEE, T. & MCKEE, J.R. Bioquímica: las bases moleculares de la vida. 7ª ed., Ed. McGRawHill Interamericana, México, 2020 (e-book)
- FEDUCHI, E., ROMERO,C.S., YÁÑEZ, E. & GARCÍA HOZ,J., Bioquímica: Conceptos esenciales, 3ª ed. Ed. Médica Panamericana. Madrid, 2021 (e-book)
- TYMOCZKO, J.L., BERG, J.M. & STRYER, L., Bioquímica: curso básico. Ed. Reverté; Barcelona, 2014.
- STRYER,L; BERG, J.M. & TYMOCZCO, J.L., Bioquímica con aplicaciones clínicas, 7ª ed., Ed. Reverté, Barcelona, 2013.
- VOET, D., VOET, J. & PRAT, C.W., Fundamentos de bioquímica: la vida a nivel molecular. 4ª ed., Ed. Panamericana, Buenos Aires, 2016 (e-book).
- RODWELL, V.W., BENDER, D.A., BOTHAM, K.M., KENNELLY, P.J. & WEIL, P.A. Harper - Bioquímica ilustrada, 31. ed., Ed. McGraw Hill Interamericana, México, 2018 (e-book)
- KOOLMAN, J. & RÖHM, K.H., Bioquímica: texto y atlas, 4ª ed., Ed. Médica Panamericana, Madrid, 2012.
- FERRIER, D.R., Bioquímica LIR, 7ª ed., Ed. Wolters Kluver; Barcelona, 2017.

COMPLEMENTARY (SPECIALIZED) BOOKS:

- ENGELKING, L.R., Textbook of Veterinary Physiological Chemistry, 3rd ed. Ed. Academic Press, San Diego, 2015. (e-book)*
- KANEKO, J. J, HARVEY, J. W. & BRUSS, M. L., (eds.), Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals., 6th ed. Ed. Academic Press, San Diego, 2008*
- DIJKSTRA, J., FORBES, J.M. & FRANCE, J., (eds.) Quantitative aspects of ruminant digestion and metabolism, 2ª ed. Ed. CAB International, Wallingford; 2005.
- LIEBERMANS, M. & PEET, A., Bioquímica Médica Básica: un enfoque clínico., 5th. ed., Ed. Lippincott, 2018
- BERG, J.M., TYMOCZKO,J.L. & STRYER, L., Bioquímica: aplicaciones clínicas, 7ª ed., . Reverté, Barcelona, 2015 *
- BAYNES, J.W. & DOMINICZAK, M.H., Bioquímica médica, 5ª ed., Ed. Elsevier, Barcelona, 2019
- McSWEENEY, P.L.H. & FOX, P.F. (eds.) Advanced dairy chemistry, vol. 1A: proteins, basic aspects, 4ª ed., Ed. Springer, New York, 2013.*
- McSWEENEY, P.L.H., FOX, P.F. & MAHONY, J.A.,(eds.) Advanced dairy chemistry, vol. 2: lipids, 4ª ed., Ed. Springer, New York, 2020
- McSWEENEY, P.L.H. & FOX, P.F. (eds.) Advanced dairy chemistry, vol. 3: lactose, water, salts and minor constituentes, 3ª ed.,
Ed. Springer, New York, 2009.

*available to students through the USC Intercentros Library (https://www.usc.gal/gl/servizos/biblioteca/)

GENERAL COMPETENCES (GVUSC)

GVUSC 01. Ability to learn and adapt
GVUSC 02. Capability for analysis and synthesis
GVUSC 04. Planning and work management
GVUSC 05. Capability to put knowledge into practice

SPECIFIC DISCIPLINARY COMPETENCES (CEDVUSC)

CEDVUSC 04. Physical, chemical and molecular bases ofthe major processesthat take place in the animal organism
CEDVUSC 16. To know the basic analytical techniques and its interpretation

SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES - DAY-ONE SKILLS (D1VUSC)

D1VUSC 03. Perform standard laboratory tests, and interpret clinical, biological and chemical results

SPECIFIC ACADEMIC COMPETENCES (CEAVUSC)

CEAVUSC 08. Being aware of the need to keep professional skills and knowledge up-to-date through a process of lifelong learning.

TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES (CTVUSC)

CTVUSC 01. Capacity for reasoning and argument
CTVUSC 02. Ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated information by various means such as literature and Internet information, and critically analyze it

The fundamental theoretical contents will be developed in lectures (22 h) completed with the sessions of non-contact individual work. Didactic material of each unit will be delivered to the students through the virtual classroom. To promote the active participation of students, teaching will be completed with two interactive seminar sessions (S1 and S2; 1,5 h/session; 30 students/group) in which the main topics of the subject will be revised and discussed by asking different questions.

The practical contents will be developed in two laboratory sessions (3 h each), in groups of 20 students working in pairs. Students are required to keep a Laboratory Practice Manual available on-line and drawn up by the course teachers. The Manual contained various sections, including the theoretical background, the description of the principles and applications of electrophoresis and a detailed description of the materials and procedures. In the first session, the students carry out the agarose gel electrophoresis: loading and running samples and staining/destaining the gel. In the second session, the students determine the glucose level in serum using an enzymatic method. After laboratory work was completed, students will have to elaborate a report that will be delivered through the virtual classroom for his assessment.
In the practice 1, students will carry out an electrophoretic analysis of blood serum proteins; They will work the skill related with the learning goal “perform proofs of diagnostic in samples of serum of different animal species and interpret the results” of the day one competence #22 (European Veterinary Federation): “collect, preserve and transport samples, select appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret andunderstand the limitations of the test results.” This learnig goal will be evaluated.

The recommended hygienic health measures will be maintained in all teaching activities. All students must go to the laboratory practices provided with latex gloves and a lab coat.

The evaluation system will consist of two complementary parts::

PART A: CONTINUOS ASSESSMENT (45% total score)

1) Assessment of laboratory practical work (15% of total score). It will be assessed the skill in the use of the laboratory material, the comprehension of the principles of the used techniques, the ability to analyze the obtained data (laboratory report).
In the practice 1 it will be evaluate the capacity of the students to interpret a proteinogram and identify the main groups of blood serum proteins. Students wil be guided in the realisation of the task using feedback in the learning and asessment process. The positive assessment of this activity will be mandatory to pass the course.
2) Assessment of active participation in interactive seminar sessions, and two multiple-choice tests distributed throughout the course (30% of total score).

The score corresponding to the continuous assessment section will be maintainedin both in the 1st and 2nd opportunities of examination.

PART B: FINAL EXAM (55% total score)

Assessment of the ability to relate and apply both theoretical and practical knowledge covered in the subject. The written examination will consist of open-ended questions.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance and active participation in the laboratory sessions is mandatory to pass the course.
2. To pass the final exam students should achieve a minimum overall score of 4/10.

CONDUCTING CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TESTS AND FINAL EXAMINATION

Both the continuous assessment tests and the final exam will be done in-person.

In such a case of fraudulent performance of exams or tests, the "Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos
estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións” will be applied.

1. Face-to-face classes: 32 h, distributed as follows:

- lectures: 22 h
- lab practices: 6 h
- interactive seminars: 3 h
- tutorial sessions: 1 h

2. Individual homework: 43 h, distributed as follows:

- individual study: 32 h
- elaboration of laboratory practices report: 6 h
- resolution of practical cases: 2 h
- proofs and exams: 3 h

TOTAL WORKING TIME: 75 h

Students are encouraged to dedicate a time of study and personal work just after every lecture in order to understand and to extend the information received.