Characterization of the microbial community structure in intestinal segments of yak (Bos grunniens).

Yak (Bos grunniens), a ruminant, has a complex gastrointestinal microbial ecosystem, which is essential for host nutrition and health. However, not much is known about gut microbial communities of yak. This study was conducted to characterize the gut microbial diversity and composition of small intestinal and cecal contents of yaks through high-throughput sequencing targeting V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA gene.

Effect of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and its redox state on the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic cascade reaction and tenderization of yak meat during postmortem aging.

We aim to investigate the effect of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and its redox state on the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway and yak meat tenderization during postmortem aging. Results indicated that the internal environment factors considerably decreased, whereas mitochondrial dysfunction increased in the early stage (0-72 h). Moreover, the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was an apoptotic early event and the apoptosome elements in the cytoplasm changed remarkably with the increase of aging time.

Study on the effect of reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress on the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis and the tenderness of yak meat.

This study investigated the effect of reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress on activation of mitochondrial apoptosis and tenderness of yak meat during postmortem ageing. Oxidative stress degree, Ca levels, membrane permeability transition pore opening, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptotic factors and the shear force were examined. Results showed that the ROS generated by HO significantly increased mitochondrial oxidative stress by decreasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and increasing lipid peroxidation.

Effect of mitochondrial apoptotic activation through the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore on yak meat tenderness during postmortem aging.

The effect of membrane permeability transition pore dependent mitochondrial apoptotic activation on yak meat tenderness was investigated. Results indicate that MPTP opening increased significantly and the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased markedly in the early aging process (P<0.05).