Effects of clenbuterol on the expression of adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of clenbuterol (CLB) on the expression of adiponectin (ADP) in adipocytes. Methods 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were induced into mature adipocytes, and then randomly divided into four groups based on doses of CLB: 0 μmol/L (group A, as the control), 0.5 μmol/L (group B, low-dose group), 5 µmol/L (group C, mid-dose group), and 50 μmol/L (group D, high-dose group), respectively. These four groups were cultured for both 12 h and 24 h. After CLB exposure, the effects of CLB on the expression of ADP in adipocytes were detected by qPCR and Western blotting analysis, and cell viability was quantified by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Results At 12 h, there was no difference in the expression of ADP between group A and group B or C (P>0.05). With the increase of CLB doses, the expression level of ADP in group D was lower than that in group A (P 0.05). A significant decrease of cell viability was counted in group C or D (P Conclusion After CLB exposure, the expression of ADP could be down-regulated and the decrease was more severe with the increasing doses of CLB.