A novel approach towards obesity: The use of a bacterial product, gassericin A, in 3T3-L1 cells

Abstract

Background and objectiveThe problem of obesity and its related complications are adversely affecting human society. We studied the effects of gassericin A, a bacteriocin produced by the intestinal bacteria, on adipocyte differentiation and development. DesignGassericin A was purified from Lactobacillus gasseri LA39 and was added to the culture medium of 3T3-L1 cells in two phases: Phase 1, 3T3-L1 cells were incubated with gassericin A while being induced to adipocytes (days 1–7); phase 2, the cells were incubated with the bacteriocin after being induced to adipocytes (days 8–12). The resultant changes in the pattern of expression of some of the important genes involved in adipogenesis were evaluated by RT-qPCR. The viability of cells and their numbers were also studied. ResultsIn phase 1 of the study, the levels of transcripts for stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD-1), zinc finger protein 423 (zfp-423), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) genes were significantly reduced, while that of 422ap2 gene showed a significant increment (p < 0.05). In phase 2, the zfp-423 gene showed a reduction of expression and the 422ap2 gene showed an increase in expression (p < 0.05). The other genes including UCP-1 and TNF-α did not show any significant changes in neither of the groups. Gassericin A did not affect the morphology or viability of the cells, however, the numbers of cells had nearly doubled in the treatment groups. ConclusionIt seems that gassericin A could significantly alter the properties of adipocytes while they are in the process of development and after they have developed.