Modulation of adipogenesis and lipogenesis by indomethacin and pantoprazole

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors are suggested to act as potential “obesogens” by interacting with various metabolic processes in adipose tissue. Besides industrial chemicals that are blamed to act as endocrine disruptors as well as obesogens, pharmaceuticals can also cause obesogenic effects as unintended adverse effects. However, limited studies evaluated the obesogenic adverse effects of pharmaceuticals. Based on this information, the present study aimed to investigate possible in vitro adipogenic/lipogenic potential of indomethacin and pantoprazole that are prescribed during pregnancy. Their effects on lipid accumulation, adiponectin level, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) activity, and expression of adipogenic genes and proteins were investigated in 3 T3-L1 cell line. Range of concentrations of the pharmaceuticals were selected according to their Cmax values. Lipid accumulation was increased with indomethacin dose dependently and with pantoprazole at its highest concentration. Both pharmaceuticals also increased adiponectin levels, and this was thought to play a role in the stimulation of the adipogenesis pathway. Moreover, both pharmaceuticals altered the gene and/or protein expression of some adipogenic/lipogenic transcriptional factors, which may lead to disruption of metabolic pathways during fetal period. In conclusion, indomethacin and pantoprazole may have obesogenic effects through different mechanisms and their potential to cause obesity should be investigated by further in vivo and epidemiological studies.