Influence of folate on lipid accumulation in human primary subcutaneous adipocytes (827.8)

Abstract

Epidemiological studies report inverse associations between serum folate concentrations and body mass index, however the potential influence of changes in folate status on adipose cell development and metabolism has only been examined in animal models or a murine cell line. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of alterations in folate availability on differentiation of human primary preadipocytes. Human primary preadipocytes, derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue of normal weight female donors (ZenBio Inc), were exposed to 0.06, 6 or 60 uM folic acid (FA; Sigma), 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF; Merck) or tetrahydrofolate (THF; Merck) during the differentiation period. The impact of treatment on lipid accumulation was determined using AdipoRedTM Adipogenesis assay reagent (Lonza). Results indicate that FA, MTHF and THF decreased lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes, after adjusting for cell number. Interestingly, MTHF and THF, reduced forms of folate, exhibited a greater inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation. These results indicate that biologically active reduced forms of folate may have a greater effect on adipocyte differentiation in human adipocytes. This study also supports preliminary findings in murine cell lines demonstrating an effect of changes in folate availability on adipose cell development.Grant Funding Source: Funded in part by HATCH #GEO00707. MTHF and THF were a kind gift from Merck & Cie, Switzerland.