Pig feeding from a cornucopia of cDDGS with DNA strands in the background.

Pig Out on Health: How Hog Diets Could Unlock Metabolic Secrets

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Could what pigs eat lead to breakthroughs in treating human obesity, diabetes, and heart disease? New research explores how corn byproducts in pig diets affect gene expression, offering clues to combatting metabolic disorders."

For years, farmers have strategically crafted animal diets to optimize meat production. Now, a surprising new avenue of research is exploring the impact of these diets on gene expression, potentially uncovering novel insights into human health. A recent study published in BMC Genomics investigates how feeding pigs corn dried distillers grains with solubles (cDDGS)—a byproduct of biofuel production—affects the expression of genes in their adipose tissue (backfat).

The researchers, led by Maria Oczkowicz, aimed to understand how cDDGS, commonly used in pig feed, influences metabolic and cardiovascular health. cDDGS is rich in protein, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, making it a cost-effective alternative to soybean meal. However, high levels of cDDGS can negatively impact backfat quality, prompting the addition of saturated fats like beef tallow or coconut oil to counteract this effect.

This study's innovative approach is in line with the growing recognition of pigs as valuable models for understanding human physiology, given their similarities in organ size and function. The findings suggest that seemingly simple dietary adjustments in animals could hold the key to preventing and treating complex human diseases.

Unlocking Genetic Secrets Through Pig Diets

Pig feeding from a cornucopia of cDDGS with DNA strands in the background.

The study divided crossbred pigs into four groups, each receiving an isoenergetic diet with varying amounts of cDDGS and different fat sources: rapeseed oil, beef tallow, or coconut oil. After two months, RNA sequencing was performed on backfat samples to analyze gene expression changes. The researchers focused on identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) – genes whose activity was significantly altered by the different diets.

The results revealed a compelling link between cDDGS consumption and gene expression patterns associated with key metabolic pathways. Specifically, the group fed cDDGS with rapeseed oil showed significant overrepresentation in pathways related to: metabolic processes, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid biosynthesis, Huntington's disease, fatty acid metabolism, Parkinson's disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Alzheimer's disease, and complement and coagulation cascades. These are critical pathways implicated in a range of human health conditions, from obesity and diabetes to neurodegenerative disorders.

Metabolic Master Switch: cDDGS appears to activate genes controlling key metabolic processes, potentially improving energy utilization and fat metabolism.
Brain Health Connection: The link to Huntington's and Alzheimer's pathways suggests a surprising impact on neurodegenerative processes.
Inflammation Control: Changes in complement and coagulation cascades indicate a role in modulating the inflammatory response.
Fatty Acid Fine-Tuning: cDDGS influences the expression of genes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids, crucial for overall metabolic balance.

One of the most striking findings was the downregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis genes, including FASN, ACLY, and SCD, in pigs fed cDDGS. These genes play a pivotal role in lipogenesis, the process of converting carbohydrates into fat. Inhibiting these genes has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD. The researchers also observed the upregulation of KAT8, a gene involved in the breakdown of FASN, and ZEB1, a known suppressor of adipogenesis, further supporting the anti-lipogenic effects of cDDGS.

The Future of Feed and Human Health

This research highlights the intricate relationship between animal nutrition and human health. The findings suggest that including cDDGS in animal diets can positively influence the expression of genes with therapeutic potential for metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. While further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential long-term effects, this study opens up exciting new avenues for exploring the bioactive ingredients of cDDGS and their potential applications in both animal and human nutrition. Could the secret to better health be found in what we feed our livestock?

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12864-018-5265-x, Alternate LINK

Title: Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles (Cddgs) In The Diet Of Pigs Change The Expression Of Adipose Genes That Are Potential Therapeutic Targets In Metabolic And Cardiovascular Diseases

Subject: Genetics

Journal: BMC Genomics

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Maria Oczkowicz, Tomasz Szmatoła, Małgorzata Świątkiewicz, Klaudia Pawlina-Tyszko, Artur Gurgul, Tomasz Ząbek

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What was the main focus of the study exploring pig diets, and why was it conducted?

The study published in BMC Genomics examines how corn dried distillers grains with solubles (cDDGS), a byproduct of biofuel production, impacts gene expression in pig adipose tissue (backfat). Researchers aimed to understand how cDDGS, which is rich in protein, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, influences metabolic and cardiovascular health in pigs. This is particularly relevant because pigs share physiological similarities with humans, making them a useful model for studying human diseases. The study also looked at how adding saturated fats like beef tallow or coconut oil might counteract the negative effects of cDDGS on backfat quality, influencing the research outcomes.

How was the pig diet experiment structured, and what methods were used to analyze the results?

In the experiment, pigs were divided into four groups, each receiving a diet with varying amounts of cDDGS and different fat sources such as rapeseed oil, beef tallow, or coconut oil. After two months, RNA sequencing was performed on backfat samples to analyze gene expression changes. The main goal was to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which are genes whose activity was significantly altered by the different diets. These changes were then linked to various metabolic pathways.

What critical metabolic pathways were found to be impacted by cDDGS consumption in the pig diets?

The study found that cDDGS consumption is linked to gene expression patterns associated with metabolic pathways. For example, pigs fed cDDGS with rapeseed oil showed significant overrepresentation in pathways related to metabolic processes, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid biosynthesis, Huntington's disease, fatty acid metabolism, Parkinson's disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Alzheimer's disease, and complement and coagulation cascades. These pathways are implicated in conditions like obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. The research also found that cDDGS can influence inflammation control.

Why is the downregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis genes observed in pigs fed cDDGS considered an important finding?

The downregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis genes, including FASN, ACLY, and SCD, in pigs fed cDDGS is significant because these genes play a key role in lipogenesis, the process of converting carbohydrates into fat. Inhibiting these genes is considered a therapeutic strategy for conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD. Furthermore, the upregulation of KAT8, a gene involved in the breakdown of FASN, and ZEB1, a suppressor of adipogenesis, supports the anti-lipogenic effects of cDDGS.

What are the implications of this research, and what further studies are needed to validate these findings?

While this research suggests that cDDGS in animal diets can positively influence gene expression with therapeutic potential for metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases, it's essential to note that further research is needed. We need to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential long-term effects. Future studies could explore the bioactive ingredients of cDDGS in more detail and assess their potential applications in both animal and human nutrition, examining how these findings might translate into dietary recommendations or therapeutic interventions.