Effects of Bamboo Stem Extracts on Adipogenic Differentiation and Lipid Metabolism Regulating Genes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, progressive disease that has lasting effects on several organs and tissues. In addition, high glucose levels, high triglyceride and high cholesterol levels increase patient health problems. In this study, we investigated natural materials that can alleviate diabetes symptoms or prevent its onset and assessed extracts of bamboo stem, which has been known for centuries as a functional food. Mouse 3T3-L1 cells were induced to differentiate by adding a mixture of dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and insulin (DMI) to the cell media after cells reached 100% confluence. The cells were then treated with hot water extract (HE), ethanol extract (EE), or methanol extract (ME) of bamboo stem for 4 and 13 days, after which the expression levels of differentiation markers C/EBPβ, PPARγ, and FABP4 were measured. At day 13, changes in metabolic function were assessed by analyzing the expression levels of ABCG1, CD36, and GLUT4 using RT-qPCR. Adipocyte size distribution was determined using a Coulter counter after trypsinization. The total triglyceride content was quantified using an adipogenesis assay kit. The HE-, EE-, and ME-treated 3T3-L1 cells showed increased adipogenesis marker expression, triglyceride content, and adipocyte volumes compared to the controls. The expression of genes related to adipocyte function were elevated in EE- and ME-treated samples. Taken together, these findings indicate that bamboo stem extracts, especially ethanol extract, have prophylactic effects for diabetes that occur through the promotion of adipogenesis and adipocyte functions.