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Impact of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cardiovascular Health in the Silver Star Bamboo Rat, a Species That Feeds Primarily on Bamboo
by
Lei Chen
1,†,
Zhoulong Chen
1,†,
Yongqi Zhao
1,
Nan Yang
2,
Jingheng Wang
1,
Yanni Zhao
1,
Lijun Luo
1 and
Xiuyue Zhang
1,3,* 1
Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
2
Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
3
The Conservation of Endangered Wildlife Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Animals 2025, 15(17), 2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15172526
Submission received: 27 May 2025
/
Revised: 24 August 2025
/
Accepted: 25 August 2025
/
Published: 27 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition)
Simple Summary
This study explores the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on cardiovascular health in bamboo rats, a species with a diet that lacks this essential nutrient. Our findings show that vitamin B12 supplementation reduces homocysteine levels and improves lipid metabolism, which may help mitigate cardiovascular risks. These results are significant for the conservation of bamboo-eating species like the bamboo rat, and could also inform dietary strategies for other animals with similar diets. The study highlights the potential of vitamin B12 to improve animal health and reduce disease risks in species at risk of nutrient deficiencies.
Abstract
Specialized herbivores like giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), and bamboo rats, which primarily consume bamboo, are at risk of nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 (VB12), potentially leading to cardiovascular diseases. This study explored the effects of VB12 supplementation on cardiovascular health in silver star bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus). We first conducted a comprehensive genome annotation of R. pruinosus, laying the foundation for in-depth evolutionary studies. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes related to cardiovascular disease (e.g., Sgcb, Adcy2, Itga1, Itgb8, Ifng, and Gpc1) were upregulated in the livers of R. pruinosus compared to carnivorous and omnivorous rodents, indicating a higher cardiovascular disease risk. After 60 days of VB12 supplementation, liver transcriptome analysis revealed significant improvements in cardiovascular health markers, including reduced cholesterol synthesis and enhanced fatty acid metabolism. Serum biochemical assays indicated that VB12 supplementation led to reduced homocysteine levels, decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios, and increased the apolipoprotein A-to-apolipoprotein B ratio. These findings suggest that VB12 may mitigate cardiovascular disease risk and could be considered in the dietary management of specialized bamboo-eating species. Our study provides valuable insights into disease prevention strategies for these species with similar dietary habits.
