Metabolic and antioxidant responses to short-term lysophosphatidylcholine injection in Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a key phospholipid intermediate with roles in membrane remodeling, lipid transport, and metabolic signaling; yet its direct physiological effects at different doses remain poorly understood in crustaceans. Here, we evaluated the dose-dependent effects of intramuscular LPC injection (0.04 and 0.08 mg/g body weight) on hepatopancreatic metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immune response in Macrobrachium rosenbergii using non-targeted metabolomics, biochemical assays, and gene expression analysis. Low-dose LPC mainly affected carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism pathways, contributing to basic energy balance, whereas high-dose LPC enriched lipid degradation and glutathione pathways, indicating enhanced metabolic turnover. Gene expression analysis revealed clear lipid metabolic differentiation: low-dose LPC significantly upregulated carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), related to fatty acid β-oxidation, whereas high-dose LPC upregulated fatty acid synthase (FAS), suggesting a shift towards lipid metabolism. The low-dose maintained a stable blood glucose level, whereas the high-dose caused a transient early increase, suggesting enhanced energy mobilization and lipid turnover. Both doses significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Low-dose LPC was more effective in elevating CAT and GSH-Px, while the high-dose enhanced SOD activity. In summary, low-dose LPC primarily maintained homeostasis by promoting fatty acid oxidation and energy balance, while high-dose LPC enhanced lipid synthesis, energy mobilization, and physiological robustness. Short-term LPC injection produced clear dose-dependent improvements in metabolic, antioxidant, and immune functions in M. rosenbergii, supporting its potential as a functional additive in sustainable aquaculture.

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