Investigation of the regulatory effect of icariin on the hepatopancreas glycolipid metabolism and energy metabolism of female Eriocheir sinensis during exogenous vitellogenesis based on the transcriptomics and metabolomics

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) mainly depends on lipids and carbohydrates to meet the energy requirements for its growth and rapid ovarian development during the exogenous vitellogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of dietary icariin supplement on the hepatopancreas' glycolipid metabolism and energy metabolism during this vital stage. Biochemical analysis revealed the apparent differential effects of icariin on the key indicators involving glycolipid metabolism. The functional mechanisms of icariin on glycolipid metabolism were systematically investigated using transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. After 100 mg/kg icariin supplementation, fifty differential expression genes mainly involving in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid beta-oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway were found. In addition, forty differential metabolites mainly involving the metabolism process of pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis were identified. Besides, the results of RT-PCR and Western blot verified several key transcription factors related to glycolipid and energy metabolism; the results demonstrated that icariin could strengthen glycolipid metabolism and energy metabolism of E. sinensis by activating related genes. This would facilitate the further understanding of the metabolism and regulation mechanism of nutrition and energy during the exogenous vitellogenesis in crustaceans.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of dietary icariin supplement on glycolipid metabolism and energy metabolism in the Chinese mitten crab during a vital growth stage. The results showed differential expression genes and metabolites related to glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and other pathways after icariin supplementation. Activation of key transcription factors by icariin was found to strengthen glycolipid and energy metabolism in E. sinensis.