Abstract
Resveratrol is a phytoalexin with multiple bioactive properties, including antioxidative, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anticancer effects. However, resveratrol exhibits structural instability in response to UV irradiation, alkaline pH, and oxygen exposure. Thus, resveratrol derivatives have attracted considerable research interest. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic effects of pinostilbene hydrate (PH), a methylated resveratrol derivative, in 3T3-L1 cells. We also evaluated the mechanisms underlying the effects of PH on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oil Red O staining, lipid accumulation assay, and triglyceride (TG) content assay revealed that PH significantly inhibited lipid and TG accumulation without cytotoxicity. In addition, we determined that PH decreased the expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors, such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, and FABP4, and the phosphorylation of MAPK and protein kinase B (AKT). Moreover, PH attenuated the expression of CREB and C/EBPβ, while increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC, and decreasing the expression of fatty acid synthase and FABP4. Based on these results, we suggest that PH suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells via the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway and the inhibition of the MAPK and AKT insulin-dependent signaling pathways.
Highlights
Obesity is caused by the accumulation of excess calories in the body when the energy gained via the consumption of high-calorie foods exceeds its utilization [1]
Pinostilbene hydrate (PH) attenuated the expression of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and C/EBPβ, while increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and decreasing the expression of fatty acid synthase and fatty acidbinding protein 4 (FABP4)
The Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the medium increased by 46% compared with that in that in control cells following treatment with 200 μM PH (Figure 1c)
Summary
Obesity is caused by the accumulation of excess calories in the body when the energy gained via the consumption of high-calorie foods exceeds its utilization [1] If this energy imbalance continues, most of the excess energy is converted to triglycerides via fatty acids and accumulates in adipocytes, resulting in weight gain [2,3]. When there is an energy deficit in the body, adipose tissue releases triglycerides, which are stored in adipocytes in the form of glycerol and fatty acids, to supply energy [10] In addition to this energy storage function, adipose tissue plays a role in various biological processes, such as the immune response and glucose and lipid metabolism, and serves as an endocrine organ by secreting various hormones such as adiponectin, leptin, and adipsin [11,12,13,14,15,16]. Adipose tissue is highly important for maintaining physiological homeostasis
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