Cirsium japonicum flavones enhance adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells

Cirsium japonicum flavones have been demonstrated to possess anti-diabetic effects in diabetic rats, but the functional mechanism remains unknown. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) plays an important role in glucose and lipid homeostasis. In this study, we report the effects of Cirsium japonicum flavones (pectolinarin and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,4-dimethoxy flavone) on PPARγ activation, adipocyte differentiation, and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. Reporter gene assays and Oil Red O staining showed that Cirsium japonicum flavones induced PPARγ activation and enhanced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Cirsium japonicum flavones increased the expression of PPARγ target genes, such as adiponectin and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and enhanced the translocation of intracellular GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. In mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Cirsium japonicum flavones significantly enhanced the basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The flavones-induced effects in 3T3-L1 cells were abolished by the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, and by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, wortmannin. This study suggests that Cirsium japonicum flavones promote adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake by inducing PPARγ activation and then modulating the insulin signaling pathway in some way, which could benefit diabetes patients.     

Echinacea purpurea root extract enhances the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells

Echinacea purpurea has been shown to have anti-diabetic activities; for example, it activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Adipogenesis has been used to study the insulin signaling pathway and to screen anti-diabetic compounds. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of an ethanol extract of E. purpurea (EEEP) and its constituents on the insulin-induced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. When adipocyte differentiation was induced with insulin plus 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and dexamethasone, the accumulation of lipid droplets and the cellular triglyceride content were significantly increased by EEEP. The expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα in adipocytes treated with EEEP were gradually increased as compared with control cells. Fat accumulation and triglyceride content of adipocytes treated with dodeca-2(E),4(E)-dienoic acid isobutylamide were significantly increased as compared with control cells. The expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα in adipocytes treated with dodeca-2(E),4(E)-dienoic acid isobutylamide were significantly higher than in control cells. These results suggest EEEP promotes the adipogenesis that is partially induced by insulin and that dodeca-2(E),4(E)-dienoic acid isobutylamide appears to be responsible for EEEP-enhanced adipocyte differentiation.     

Artepillin C, as a PPARγ ligand, enhances adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation. Its ligands, including thiazolidinediones, improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. We investigated the effects of artepillin C, an ingredient of Baccharis dracunculifolia, on adipogenesis and glucose uptake using 3T3-L1 cells. In PPARγ ligand-binding assays, artepillin C exhibited binding affinity toward PPARγ. Artepillin C dose-dependently enhanced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. As a result of the artepillin C-induced adipocyte differentiation, the gene expression of PPARγ and its target genes, such as aP2, adiponectin and glucose transporter (GLUT) 4, was increased. These increases were abolished by cotreatment with GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist. In mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes, artepillin C significantly enhanced the basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. These effects were decreased by cotreatment with a PI3K inhibitor. Although artepillin C had no effects on the insulin signaling cascade, artepillin C enhanced the expression and plasma membrane translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4 in mature adipocytes. In conclusion, these findings suggest that artepillin C promotes adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in part by direct binding to PPARγ, which could be the basis of the pharmacological benefits of green propolis intake in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.     

Rhamnetin-induced suppression of clonal expansion during early stage of adipogenesis

Adipocyte differentiation plays a pivotal role in the progression of obesity which is a major risk factor for several diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease. In this study, the inhibitory effect of rhamnetin, a flavonoid compound, on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells was investigated. Rhamnetin decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets, and inhibited the elevation of triglyceride content in the adipocytes (IC(50) = 17.3 μM). The expressions of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and perilipin, adipocyte differentiation markers, were significantly reduced by rhamnetin. Triglyceride biosynthesis and clonal expansion of adipocytes were completely inhibited during the early stage by rhamnetin. Additionally, rhamnetin significantly decreased the expression of C/EBPβ, an early stage marker. Our results indicate that suppression of clonal expansion during the early stage of adipogenesis by rhamnetin may be associated with inhibition of the C/EBPβ, C/EBPα, and PPARγ pathways.     

Nitric oxide enhances Oct-4 expression in bone marrow stem cells and promotes endothelial differentiation

This study was designed to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in bone marrow stem cells and their differentiation into endothelial cells in vitro. Adult mouse bone marrow multipotent progenitor cells (MAPCs) were used as the source of stem cells. Oct-4 expression (both mRNA and protein) was significantly increased by up to 68.0% in MAPCs when incubated with NO donors DETA-NONOate or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in a concentration-dependant manner (n=3, P<0.05). However, the cell proliferation was dramatically decreased by over 3-folds when treated with DETA-NONOate or SNP for 48 h (n=3, P<0.05). When MAPCs were exposed to DETA-NONOate (100 microM) for the first 48 h during differentiation, the expression (both mRNA and protein) of vWF was significantly increased at day 14 in the differentiating cells. The effects of DETA-NONOate or SNP on cell proliferation, Oct-4 expression and endothelial differentiation of MAPCs were not affected by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one or cGMP analog 8-Br-cGMP. These data indicate that NO may regulate both the pluripotency and differentiation of MAPCs via a cGMP-independent mechanism.     

Stimulation of glucose uptake and improvement of insulin resistance by aromadendrin

Agents that stimulate glucose uptake and improve insulin resistance may be useful in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Thus, the aims of this study were to assess the effects of aromadendrin, a flavonoid from Gleditsia sinensis Lam., on stimulation of glucose uptake and improvement of insulin resistance and to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying these activities. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was measured in HepG2 cells and in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG), a fluorescent D-glucose analog. Expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 (PPARγ2) and adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein (aP2) mRNAs and the PPARγ2 protein was analyzed in adipocytes using RT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) phosphorylation was measured in high glucose-induced, insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Similar to 30 μmol/l rosiglitazone, treatment with 30 μmol/l aromadendrin significantly stimulated insulin-sensitive glucose uptake in both HepG2 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Aromadendrin treatment also enhanced adipogenesis and caused increases in the expression of PPARγ2 and aP2 mRNAs and the PPARγ2 protein in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In high glucose-induced, insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, aromadendrin reversed the inhibition of Akt/PKB phosphorylation in response to insulin, which could be abrogated by pretreatment with LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Aromadendrin treatment induced adipogenesis by increases in PPARγ2 expression, resulting in stimulation of glucose uptake and ameliorated insulin resistance. These findings suggest that aromadendrin may represent a potential therapeutic candidate for the management of type 2 DM.     

Honokiol enhances adipocyte differentiation by potentiating insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Adipose tissue plays an essential role in energy homeostasis as a metabolic and endocrine organ. Accordingly, adipocytes are emerging as a major drug target for obesity and obesity-mediated metabolic syndrome. Dysfunction of enlarged adipocytes in obesity is involved in obesity-mediated metabolic syndrome. Adipocytokines, such as adiponectin released from small adipocytes, are able to prevent these disorders. In this study, we found that honokiol, an ingredient of Magnolia officinalis used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines, enhanced adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Oil Red O staining showed that treatment with honokiol in the presence of insulin dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipoyctes although its activity was weak compared with rosiglitazone. During adipocyte differentiation, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) mRNA and PPARγ target genes such as adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), adiponectin, and GLUT4 was induced by treatment with 10?μM honokiol. However, honokiol failed to show direct binding to the PPARγ ligand-binding domain in vitro. In preadipocytes, treatment with honokiol in the presence of insulin increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 protein and Akt protein, early insulin signaling pathways related to adipocyte differentiation, compared with insulin-only treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that honokiol promotes adipocyte differentiation through increased expression of PPARγ2 mRNA and potentiation of insulin signaling pathways such as the Ras/ERK1/2 and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways.     

小檗碱对大鼠骨髓间质干细胞成脂分化的抑制作用(英文)

目的探讨小檗碱对大鼠骨髓间质干细胞成脂分化的影响及其机制。方法经分离纯化的大鼠骨髓间质干细胞,分为正常对照组,成脂分化诱导液(AIM)模型组及AIM+小檗碱0.1,0.3,1和3μmol·L-1组。倒置显微镜下观察细胞的形态特征,油红O染色检测脂肪细胞,以对硝基苯磷酸为底物检测碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性,MTT法检测细胞存活率,RT-PCR检测过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ),脂肪酸结合蛋白(aP2)和CCAAT增强子结合蛋白α(C/EBPα)mRNA表达。结果与正常对照组比较,AIM模型组细胞形成的脂肪细胞明显增加(P<0.01),ALP活性明显降低(P<0.01),PPAR,γaP2和C/EBPαmRNA表达明显增高(P<0.01)。与AIM组比较,AIM+小檗碱显著抑制骨髓间质干细胞成脂分化,小檗碱0.1,0.3,1和3μmol·L-1显著升高ALP活性,分别增加26%,54%,81%和122%;小檗碱3μmol·L-1显著下调PPARγmRNA(0.91±0.10vs1.34±0.06),(P<0.01),aP2 mRNA(1.05±0.10vs1.53±0.09)(P<0.01)和C/EBPαmRNA表达(1.24±0.06vs1.54±0.09)(P<0.01)。小檗碱对骨髓间质干细胞增殖无显著影响。结论小檗碱能够抑制骨髓间质干细胞成脂分化,该作用可能与其下调PPARγmRNA,aP2 mRNA和C/EBPαmRNA表达有关。     

Insulin-sensitizing effects of a novel alpha-methyl- alpha -phenoxylpropionate derivative in vitro

AIM: To examine the insulin sensitizing effects of a novel alpha-methyl-alpha- phenoxylpropionate derivative YY20 in insulin-sensitive cell lines. METHODS: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) agonist bioactivities of YY20 were detected by a preadipocyte differentiation assay. RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of the target gene or protein. The effects of YY20 on insulin-mediated glucose consumption were determined in the HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma line. RESULTS: YY20 could enhance the differentiation of preadipocytes to adipocytes and upregulate the gene expression of PPAR gamma 2, as well as the protein expression of insulin receptor substrate- 1 (IRS-1), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), and adiponectin (ACRP30). The effects on GLUT4 and ACRP30 could be reversed by the PPAR gamma inhibitor SR-202. Furthermore, YY20 efficiently reduced glucose consumptions in HepG2 cells after 24 h culture, and the effects were related to insulin and YY20 concentrations. CONCLUSION: YY20, a potential insulin-sensitizing agent like rosiglitazone, could enhance glucose consumption in HepG2 cells in a concentration- and insulindependent manner. It may improve the insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes.     

Octamer 4基因在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及临床意义

目的检测Octamer 4(Oct-4)基因在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)中的表达,探讨Oct-4在NSCLC发生、发展中的作用。方法采用流式细胞仪分选出肺癌细胞系A549中Oct-4+及Oct-4-的细胞群,用免疫荧光法检测分选后的细胞亚群中CD133的表达情况;采用体外侵袭实验检测Oct-4+细胞群和Oct-4-细胞群的侵袭能力。结果 1以标记Oct-4通过流式细胞仪分离后,成功获得肺癌细胞株A549中Oct-4+细胞群和Oct-4-细胞群。且Oct-4+细胞群中CD133的表达明显高于Oct-4-细胞群,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。2Oct-4+细胞群的侵袭细胞数显著高于Oct-4-细胞群,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。3Oct-4在NSCLC中的表达率为83%(50/60),且Oct-4+细胞群中CD133的表达明显高于Oct-4-细胞群,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且Oct-4的表达与NSCLC组织的分化程度、肿瘤的临床分期及是否已经发生淋巴结转移有关,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论干细胞标志物Oct-4在NSCLC干细胞亚群中呈高表达,可能与肺癌的发生、发展及转移密切相关,为肺癌治疗提供新的靶点。     

滋肾降糖丸对小鼠骨髓基质干细胞成脂分化的影响

目的:研究滋肾降糖丸对小鼠骨髓基质干细胞(MSC)模型成脂分化的影响。方法:小鼠灌胃滋肾降糖丸(1.5g·kg-1),每天1次,连续7d,最后一天在灌胃2h后收集含药血清。随后用油红O染色法检测上述含药血清对MSC成脂诱导分化的影响。最后用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Q-RT-PCR)方法进一步测定含药血清对MSC成脂诱导过程中相关关键基因过氧化物酶体增殖物激活γ2受体(PPARγ2)与人脂肪酸结合蛋白4(FABP4)表达的影响。结果:含药血清可显著抑制MSC的成脂分化,显著抑制MSC成脂诱导分化第3、6天后关键基因PPARγ与FABP4的表达。结论:滋肾降糖丸具有抑制MSC成脂分化的作用,其作用机制可能与抑制MSC上PPARγ2与FABP4的表达有关。     

海地瓜硫酸软骨素对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖和分化的影响

目的研究海地瓜硫酸软骨素(Acaudina Molpadioideschondroitin sulfate,AM-CHS)对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞增殖和分化的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法采用传统的鸡尾酒诱导剂诱导分化3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,以MTT法检测AM-CHS对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞及不同分化阶段3T3-L1细胞增殖活性的影响;分别采用油红O染色和甘油三酯(triglycerides,TG)含量测定法评价其对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化的影响。采用RT-PCR法检测脂肪细胞中过氧化物酶体增殖体激活受体γ(peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors gamma,PPARγ)、CCAAT增强子结合蛋白α(CCAAT/enhancer bind-ing protein alpha,C/EBPα)、固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c(ste-rol regulatory element binding protein-1c,SREBP-1c)等分化相关基因的mRNA表达水平。结果 AM-CHS能明显抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞和成熟脂肪细胞的增殖,抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的分化过程,以对分化早期的抑制作用最强。RT-PCR结果表明,AM-CHS能明显降低脂肪细胞PPARγ、C/EBPα和SREBP-1c mRNA的表达。结论海地瓜AM-CHS能明显抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的增殖和分化,其作用机制与下调分化相关基因PPARγ、C/EBPα和SREBP-1c的表达有关。     

Adipocyte-derived exosomal miR-27a induces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle through repression of PPARγ

OBJECTIVE To explore increasingly exosomal serum miR-27 a derived from adipocytes could be taken up by skeletal muscle tissue and induce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle in obese state. METHODS The association between miR-27 a and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle was determined in obese children,high-fat diet-induced miR-27 a knockdown obese mice,db/db mice and C2C12 cells overexpressing miR-27 a.The crosstalk mediated by exosomal miR-27 a between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle was determined in C2C12 cel s incubated with conditioned medium prepared from palmitate-treated 3 T3-L1 adipocytes. RESULTS After knockdown miR-27 a in obese insulin resistance mice,impaired insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance of skeletal muscle were partly restored. In high-fat diet group, the expressions of IRS-1 and GLUT4 in glucose uptake signal pathway of skeletal muscle were significantly decreased, while the expression of IRS-1 and GLUT4 was restored after miR-27 a knockdown. The content of FABP4, a marker specific for exosomes from adipocytes, was detected in sera, skeletal muscle, supernatant of adipocytes and co-cultured C2C12 cells; furthermore,exosomal miR-27 a in serum and adipocyte supernatants were detect, and fluorescence co-localization experiments were conducted to detect whether the exosomal miR-27 a in serum is mainly derived from adipocyte; finally,we used the supernatant of adipose tissue to construct conditioned media to treat with C2C12 cells, and detected whether adipocytes derived exosomal miR-27 a could impaired glucose uptake signaling pathway of skeletal muscle. the expressions of PPARγ silencing high-fat diet induced C57 BL/6 J obese mouse model and adenovirus intervention miR-27 a knockdown model were examined,and a C2C12 cell model overexpressing miR-27 a in the absence or presence with rosiglitazone(PPARγ activator)were established to test glucose consumption, glucose uptake, and glucose uptake signaling pathways of skeletal muscle cells. CONCLUSION These results identify a novel crosstalk signaling pathway between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in the development of insulin resistance, and indicate that adipose tissue-derived miR-27 a may play a key role in the development of obesity-triggered insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.     

Effects of inorganic HgCl2 on adipogenesis.

Mercury is a common pollutant that alters glucose metabolism in adipocytes; however, the effect of HgCl2 on differentiating adipocytes and their subsequent metabolic function is not well understood. Two adipocyte models, the 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 (10T1/2) cell lines, were differentiated in the presence of HgCl2. To assess the amount of differentiation in a population, markers of differentiation (i.e., PPARgamma and GLUT 4 expression and lipid accumulation) and functions of adipocytes (i.e., glucose transport and insulin-induced glucose transport) were measured. HgCl2 exposure significantly decreased the number of phenotypic adipocytes and PPARgamma expression in both 3T3-L1 and 10T1/2 cells without effects on cell viability. GLUT 4 was significantly reduced by HgCl2 treatment in 10T1/2 but not 3T3-L1 cells. Exposure to HgCl2 during differentiation increased basal glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner (up to 2.5-fold) and decreased insulin-induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In contrast, HgCl2 had little effect on basal or insulin-induced glucose uptake in 10T1/2 cells, possibly due to their lower insulin responsiveness. We examined the effect of HgCl2 exposure on signaling event involved in differentiation of adipocytes and cellular stress, namely, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK, respectively. HgCl2 exposure had no effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation in either cell line, increased JNK phosphorylation in the 10T1/2, and had no effect on JNK phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 cells. These data indicate HgCl2 exposure can inhibit the differentiation of fibroblasts into adipocytes as well as influence signaling events and the subsequent metabolic activity of differentiated adipocytes.     

Effect of PPARalpha activation of macrophages on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in cultured adipocytes

The relationship between adipocytes and infiltrated macrophages in fat tissue is important for the pathogenesis of insulin resistance through the activation of cytokines. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play a role in the regulation of cytokine secretion in these cells. We studied the effect of the PPARalpha activation of macrophages on the modulation of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) expression in adipocytes using a cell culture system. A conditioned medium of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, a macrophage cell line, induced the level of TNFalpha mRNA in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This effect was inhibited by the addition of neutralizing antibody against interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the conditioned medium or the preincubation of RAW264.7 cells with a specific PPARalpha agonist, K-111 (2,2-dichloro-12-(4-chlorophenyl)dodecanoic acid). K-111 reduced both the IL-6 production and mRNA expression in RAW264.7 cells, and its effect was stronger than that of rosiglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist. The activation of the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) pathway and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) subunits of p65 was significantly inhibited by K-111. The blocking of IL-6 production through the SAPK/JNK pathway or by transfection with siRNA specific for IL-6 abolished the inhibitory effect of K-111 on the TNFalpha expression in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. As a result, the IL-6 produced by RAW264.7 cells is an inducer of TNFalpha expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the IL-6 secretion is inhibited by the activation of PPARalpha. The PPARalpha activators may suppress the pathogenetical secretion of TNFalpha in the adipocytes through the functional modulation of the infiltrated macrophages.