Blumstein Danielle M, MacManes Matthew D
bioRxiv. 2024 May 5:2024.05.03.592397. doi: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592397.
Understanding the relationship between dietary fat and physiological responses is crucial in species adapted to arid environments where water scarcity is common. In this study, we present a comprehensive exploration of gene expression across five tissues (kidney, liver, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and hypothalamus) and 19 phenotypic measurements, investigating the effects of dietary fat in the desert-adapted cactus mouse ( ). We show impacts on immune function, circadian gene regulation, and mitochondrial function for mice fed a lower-fat diet compared to mice fed a higher-fat diet. In arid environments with severe water scarcity, even subtle changes in organismal health and water balance can affect physical performance, potentially impacting survival and reproductive success. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between diet, physiological processes, and environmental adaptation, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted impacts of dietary choices on organismal well-being and adaptation strategies in arid habitats.
了解膳食脂肪与生理反应之间的关系，对于适应干旱环境（水资源稀缺现象普遍）的物种至关重要。在本研究中，我们全面探究了沙漠适应性仙人掌小鼠五个组织（肾脏、肝脏、肺、胃肠道和下丘脑）中的基因表达以及19种表型测量指标，研究膳食脂肪的影响。我们发现，与高脂饮食喂养的小鼠相比，低脂饮食喂养的小鼠的免疫功能、昼夜节律基因调控和线粒体功能受到影响。在水资源严重稀缺的干旱环境中，即使机体健康和水平衡的细微变化也会影响身体机能，可能对生存和繁殖成功产生影响。这项研究揭示了饮食、生理过程和环境适应之间的复杂相互作用，为饮食选择对机体健康和干旱栖息地适应策略的多方面影响提供了有价值的见解。
