Stimulatory Effects of Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum cassia) during the Initiation Stage of 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation.

Sang Lee,Joanna Siaw,Hye Kang

doi:10.3390/foods5040083

Abstract

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) has an anti-diabetic effect by possibly increasing the lipid storage capacity of white adipocytes; however, this effect remains controversial. The aim of this study was to examine which stage of adipogenesis is critical for the stimulatory effect of cinnamon in adipogenesis using 3T3-L1 cells. Cells were treated with cinnamon extract during three different stages of adipogenesis. We found that genes related to adipogenesis and lipogenesis were enhanced when cinnamon extract was administered during the initiation stage of differentiation but not when administered during the preadipocyte and post stages of differentiation. At the same time, genes that were involved in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation were unexpectedly upregulated. Taken together, cinnamon may boost lipid storage in white adipocytes and increase the fatty acid oxidation capacity throughout the initiation stage of differentiation, which may be beneficial for the prevention of obesity-induced type II diabetes.

Highlights

White adipose tissue (WAT) is the primary site where extra calories are stored as fat for the body’s energy reserve
The concentration ranges of cinnamon extract (CE) selected for treatment in 3T3-L1 cells were 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL
PPARγ remain remain enhancing controversial. It is unclear which adipogenic stage is critical for the stimulatory effect of cinnamon to increase the capacity of white adipocytes to store lipids

Summary

Introduction

White adipose tissue (WAT) is the primary site where extra calories are stored as fat for the body’s energy reserve. Excessive fat accumulation in WAT causes obesity and adipocyte dysfunction [2], resulting in a spillover of fatty acids into non-adipose organs, which further increases susceptibility for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia [3]. It is important for WAT to maintain its normal function and capacity to safely store fat, which protects other tissues against lipotoxicity [4]. This maintenance can be achieved by acquiring new adipocytes through adipocyte differentiation in WAT. Adipocyte differentiation is the process in which preadipocytes develop into mature white adipocytes that accumulate lipids as a single lipid droplet through early, intermediate, and terminal stages [5]

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