Identification of benzophenone C-glucosides from mango tree leaves and their inhibitory effect on triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

A 70% ethanol-water extract from the leaves of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae) inhibited triglyceride (TG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. From the active fraction, seven new benzophenone C-glycosides, foliamangiferosides A (1), A(1) (2), A(2) (3), B (4), C(1) (5), C(2) (6), and C(3) (7), together with five known compounds were isolated and the structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. The effects of these compounds on TG and the free fatty acid level in 3T3-L1 cells were determined, and the structure-activity relationship was discussed. On the basis of the AMPK signaling pathway, several compounds were found to increase the AMPK enzyme expression and down-regulate lipogenic enzyme gene expression such as SREBP1c, FAS, and HSL.     

Inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in relation to their antioxidant activity

Obesity is an important topic in the world of public health and preventive medicine. Inhibition of preadipocyte proliferation plays an important role in the mechanisms of proposed antiobesity. In this in vitro study, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was evaluated, and a relationship analysis was then conducted. The results showed that the addition of phenolic acids to the growth medium decreased the cell population growth of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The IC50 values of chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, o-coumaric acid and m-coumaric acid on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were 72.3, 43.3, 48.2, and 49.2 microM, respectively. A relationship analysis indicated that there is a significant linear correlation between the influence of phenolic acids on cell population growth and their antioxidant activity (r = 0.77, p < 0.01). The cell cycle assay indicated that the treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with chlorogenic acid, o-coumaric acid, and m-coumaric acid caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Gallic acid did not affect the cell cycle profile; however, it increased the number of apoptotic cells (sub-G1 phase) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis flow cytometric assay showed that gallic acid increased the number of early apoptotic (annexin V-FITC+/PI-) and late apoptotic cells (annexin V-FITC+/PI+) but not necrotic cells (annexin V-FITC-/PI+). The treatment of cells with gallic acid caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(m)). These results indicate that the inhibition of preadipocyte population growth by some phenolic acids might have further implication in in vivo antiobesity effects.     

Effects of flavonoids and phenolic acids on the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Obesity has become a global epidemic in both developed and developing countries, and it is a significant risk factor for various diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and hypertension. In the present study, the effect of naturally occurring antioxidants (flavonoids and phenolic acids) on the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated. The results showed that o-coumaric acid and rutin had the highest inhibition on intracellular triglyceride (61.3 and 83.0%, respectively) among 15 phenolic acids and 6 flavonoids tested. However, the oil red o stained material (OROSM) showed that cell number in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was not influenced by those compounds. For glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity, the data indicated that o-coumaric acid and rutin had the highest inhibition on GPDH activity (54.2 and 66.8%, respectively) among the compounds tested. o-Coumaric acid and rutin also inhibited the expression of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha and leptin and then up-regulated expression of adiponectin at the protein level. Some naturally occurring antioxidants efficiently suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results suggest that o-coumaric acid and rutin targeted for adipocyte functions could be effective in improving the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.     

Antiadipogenic effect of dietary apigenin through activation of AMPK in 3T3-L1 cells

Adipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis) is a complex process including the coordinated changes in hormone sensitivity and gene expression in response to various stimuli. Natural compounds are known to be involved in the regulation of this process. Here we investigated the effects of dietary apigenin, a plant flavonoid, on adipogenesis. Apigenin suppressed adipocyte differentiation of mouse adipocytic 3T3-L1 cells and reduced the accumulation of intracellular lipids. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that apigenin decreased the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and its target genes such as fatty acid binding protein 4 (aP2) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase. Apigenin decreased or had no effect on the expression of lipolytic genes such as adipose triglyceride lipase, hormone sensitive lipase, and monoacyl glyceride lipase, thereby reducing glycerol release from adipocytes. Noteworthily, apigenin activated 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in an apigenin dose-dependent manner, which activation is known to suppress adipogenesis. These results provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanism involved in the action of apigenin: the apigenin-induced activation of AMPK leads to decreased expression of adipogenic and lipolytic genes, thus suppressing adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Thus, dietary apigenin may contribute to lower body-fat content and body-weight gain through the activation of AMPK.     

Beta-conglycinin embeds active peptides that inhibit lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro

Obesity is a worldwide health concern because it is a well-recognized predictor of premature mortality. The objective was to identify soybean varieties that have improved potential to inhibit fat accumulation in adipocytes by testing the effects of soy hydrolysates having a range of protein subunit compositions on lipid accumulation and adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results showed that differences in the protein distribution of 15 soy genotypes led to different potentials for the reduction of fat accumulation. The inhibition of lipid accumulation of soy alcalase hydrolysates in 3T3-L1 adipocytes ranged from 29 to 46%. Soy hydrolysates made from genotypes with 45.3 +/- 3.3% of total protein as beta-conglycinin, on average, showed significantly higher inhibition of lipid accumulation compared to those with 24.7 +/- 1.5% of extracted total protein as beta-conglycinin. Moreover, after in vitro simulated digestion with pepsin-pancreatin of the soy alcalase hydrolysates, 86% of the original activity remained. Adiponectin expression was induced in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with 15 soy hydrolysates up to 2.49- and 2.63-fold for high and low molecular weight adiponectin, respectively. The inhibition of lipid accumulation calculated from a partial least squares (PLS) analysis model correlated well with experimental data (R(2) = 0.91). In conclusion, it was feasible to differentiate soy varieties on the basis of the potential of their proteins to reduce fat accumulation using a statistical model and a cell-based assay in vitro. Furthermore, beta-conglycinin embeds more peptides than glycinin subunits that inhibit lipid accumulation and induce adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, soy ingredients containing beta-conglycinin may be important food components for the control of lipid accumulation in adipose tissue.     

Effects of capsaicin on induction of apoptosis and inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Currently, at the beginning of the 21st century, obesity has become the leading metabolic disease in the world. It is a serious health problem in industrialized countries. Previous research has suggested that decreased preadipocyte differentiation and proliferation and decreased lipogenesis are mechanisms to reduce obesity. In the present study, the effects of capsaicin on the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes were investigated. The results demonstrated that capsaicin decreased cell population growth of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, assessed with the MTT assay. Flow cytometric analysis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exposed to capsaicin showed that apoptotic cells increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment with capsaicin decreased the number of normal cells and increased the number of early apoptotic and late apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of cells with capsaicin caused the loss of mitochondria membrane potential (delta psi m). The induction of apoptosis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by capsaicin was mediated through the activation of caspase-3, Bax, and Bak, and then through the cleavage of PARP and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, capsaicin significantly decreased the amount of intracellular triglycerides and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Capsaicin also inhibited the expression of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, and leptin, but induced up-regulation of adiponectin at the protein level. These results demonstrate that capsaicin efficiently induces apoptosis and inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes.     

Intracellular mediators of procyanidin-induced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

We have previously reported that grape seed procyanidins stimulate long-term lipolysis on 3T3-L1 fully differentiated adipocytes. To unravel the molecular mechanism by which procyanidins exert this effect, we checked the involvement of two main cellular targets in adipose cells: protein kinase A (PKA) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma). Procyanidin treatment increased intracellular cAMP levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and their lipolytic effect was inhibited by simultaneous treatment with H89, a PKA specific inhibitor. BRL49653, a very highly specific ligand of PPAR-gamma, totally abolished the lipolytic effect of procyanidins. Simultaneous to this long-term lipolytic effect, the mRNA levels of some differentiation adipocyte markers decreased, although there were no changes in the triglyceride content of the cells. BRL49653 did not antagonize the decrements of differentiation markers. These results support a mediation of PPAR-gamma and PKA on the lipolytic effects of procyanidins on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

miR-196a-1在3T3-L1脂肪细胞分化中的表达及作用

为研究miR-196a-1在脂肪形成中的作用,从3T3-L1细胞基因组中扩增miR-196a-1前体序列,构建miR-196a-1的表达载体,获得稳定表达miR-196a-1的3T3-L1细胞株,成脂诱导后检测脂肪细胞分化关键转录因子的mRNA表达和脂滴累积情况。结果表明,miR-196a-1在3T3-L1细胞分化过程中表达上调,在诱导分化的第2天达到高峰,并在之后的分化过程中恢复到正常水平;稳定表达miR-196a-1的3T3-L1细胞株中miR-196a-1的持续高水平表达导致脂肪形成关键基因过氧化物酶体增殖物活化受体γ(PPARγ)、CCAAT/增强子结合蛋白α(C/EBPα)和脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)的mRNA水平及脂滴累积明显增加。这些结果指明,miR-196a-1促进3T3-L1脂肪细胞分化,利用所构建的稳定表达miR-196a-1的细胞株可进一步研究miR-196a-1调节脂肪形成的分子机制。     

The apoptotic effect of green tea (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes depends on the Cdk2 pathway

This study was designed to investigate the effect of green tea catechins, especially (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on the apoptosis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Preadipocyte apoptosis as indicated by formation of DNA fragments was induced by EGCG in dose-dependent manners. While EGCG was demonstrated to decrease Cdk2 expression and activity and increase caspase-3 activity, overexpression of Cdk2 and treatment with the caspase-3 inhibitor respectively prevented preadipocytes from induction of DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity by doses of 100-400 muM of EGCG. This suggests the Cdk2- and caspase-3-dependent apoptotic effects of EGCG. Moreover, EGCG was more effective than EC, ECG, and EGC in changing the apoptotic signals. Results of this study may relate to the mechanism by which EGCG modulates body weight.     

The effect of hydrocarbon contamination on the accumulation of lipids in soils

The effect of hydrocarbon contamination on the accumulation of lipids in soils is discussed. The field study was performed in the Shchelkovo district of Moscow oblast on soddy-podzolic soils contaminated with hydrocarbons in low concentrations along the entire profile. It was shown that the transformation of the hydrocarbons under the particular soil-geochemical conditions follows the way of the formation of incompletely oxidized compounds that are analytically determined in the fraction of the lipids. A significant increase in the concentration of lipids was found in the lower horizons of the semihydromorphic and hydromorphic soils under conditions of excessive moistening and a low redox potential. There was no increase in the concentration of the lipids in the upper soil horizons with their optimum water content and high values of the redox potential, which could be due to the complete oxidation of the hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.     

Gallic acid induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes via a Fas- and mitochondrial-mediated pathway

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a naturally abundant plant phenolic compound. Our previous studies have shown that some phenolic acids such as gallic acid inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. However, the molecular mechanism of gallic acid in the induction of cell apoptosis is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of gallic acid on the apoptotic pathway in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Western blot data revealed that gallic acid stimulated an increase in the protein expression of Fas, FasL, and p53. The ratio of expression levels of pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members was changed by gallic acid treatment. Gallic acid released mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol and subsequently induced the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, which were followed by the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Pretreatment with a general caspase-9 inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK) and caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) prevented gallic acid from inhibiting cell viability in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The data also indicated that treatment with gallic acid inhibited histone deacetylase activity in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. These results demonstrate that gallic acid induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes through the Fas and mitochondrial pathway. The induction of cell apoptosis by gallic acid may prove to be a pivotal mechanism for decreased pre-adipocyte proliferation.     

Interaction of cinnamic acid derivatives with commercial hypoglycemic drugs on 2-deoxyglucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives are naturally occurring substances found in fruits, vegetables, and flowers and are consumed as dietary phenolic compounds. The effect of cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, eugenol, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid, alone and in combination with two commercial oral hypoglycemic drugs (OHD), namely, thiazolidinedione (THZ) and metformin, on the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) by 3T3-L1 adipocytes is studied. All of the phytochemicals other than cinnamic acid show synergistic interaction in 2DG uptake with both of the OHDs. THZ (20 μM) in combination with ferulic acid (25 μM) or p-coumaric acid (25 μM) increases 2DG uptake by 7- or 6.34-fold, respectively, with respect to control, whereas metformin (20 μM), along with ferulic acid (25 μM) or cinnamic acid (25 μM), increases 2DG uptake by 6.45- or 5.87-fold, respectively, when compared to control. Chlorogenic and cinnamic acids increased the expression of PPARγ, whereas other hydroxycinnamic acids enhanced the expression of PI3K, indicating different mechanisms of action between these compounds. These phytochemicals were able to reduce the expressions of the fatty acid synthase and HMG CoA reductase genes, indicating that they may be able to reduce the secondary complications caused by the accumulation of lipids. These studies suggest that hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives may be beneficial for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. They may act as a supplement with commercial drugs and may reduce the secondary complications caused by OHDs.     

Oxidation of skeletal muscle myofibrillar proteins in oil-in-water emulsions: interaction with lipids and effect of selected phenolic compounds

The effect of selected phenolic compounds, namely, gallic acid, cyanidin-3-glucoside, (+)-epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, genistein and rutin (50 and 200 microM), and alpha-tocopherol (50 microM) against the oxidation of oil-in-water emulsions (37 degrees C/10 days) containing 1% myofibrillar proteins (MPs), was investigated. Emulsions containing 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) were also prepared for comparative purposes. Protein oxidation was assessed by measuring the loss of natural tryptophan fluorescence and the protein carbonyl gain by using fluorescence spectroscopy. Lipid oxidation was concurrently analyzed by measuring the increase of conjugated dienes (CDs) and hexanal. Proteins inhibited lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions, and MPs showed a more intense antioxidant activity than BSA. MPs were also more resistant to oxidative deterioration than BSA. The different antioxidant capacity of MPs and BSA and their susceptibility to suffer oxidative reactions might be derived from their different amino acid composition and three-dimensional structures. The addition of the phenolic compounds resulted in a variety of effects, including both antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects. Gallic acid, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and genistein were the most efficient inhibitors of lipid and protein oxidation. The chemical structure of the phenolic compounds as well as the nature and conformation of the proteins were greatly influential on the overall effect against oxidative reactions.     

Metabolic fate of glucose on 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with grape seed-derived procyanidin extract (GSPE). Comparison with the effects of insulin

In this paper we investigate the effects of a grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) on the metabolic fate of glucose in adipocytes. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 140 mg/L GSPE or 100 nM insulin for a short period (1 h, acute treatment) or for a long period (15 h, chronic treatment). 2-Deoxy-[1-(3)H]glucose uptake and [1-(14)C]glucose incorporation into cells, glycogen, and lipid were measured. We found that GSPE mimicked the anabolic effects of insulin but there were several important differences. GSPE stimulated glycogen synthesis less than insulin. After chronic exposure, GSPE induced a higher incorporation of glucose into lipid, mainly due to the increase in glucose directed to glycerol synthesis. Our main conclusions, therefore, are that GSPE has insulinomimetic properties and activates glycogen and lipid synthesis. However, the differences between the effects of GSPE and the effects of insulin indicate that GSPE uses mechanisms complementary to those of insulin signaling pathways to bring about these effects.     

Effects of natural phenolic compounds on the antioxidant activity of lactoferrin in liposomes and oil-in-water emulsions

The effect of natural phenolic compounds on the antioxidant and prooxidant activity of lactoferrin was studied in liposomes and oil-in-water emulsions containing iron. The antioxidants tested with lactoferrin were alpha-tocopherol, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, tyrosol, and natural phenolic extracts obtained from three different extra-virgin olive oils and olive mill wastewater. The natural extracts of olive oils and mill wastewaters were composed mainly of polyphenols and simple phenolics, respectively. Lipid oxidation at 30 degrees C was determined by the formation of hydroperoxides and fluorescent compounds resulting from oxidized lipid interactions. All phenolic compounds showed synergistic properties in reinforcing the antioxidant activity of lactoferrin in lipid systems containing iron. The highest synergistic effects were observed for the phenolic extracts rich in polyphenols of extra-virgin olive oils and lactoferrin. This synergistic effect was higher in liposomes than in emulsions.     

The effect of preplant nitrogen and soil temperature on yield and nitrogen accumulation of alfalfa 1

Abstract

Recommendations for the use of preplant N in alfalfa establishment are controversial. Growth chamber experiments were conducted to examine the effect of preplant N and soil temperature on yield and N accumulation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Alfalfa was grown in river sand at three day/night soil temperatures (18/12°C, 24/16°C, and 27/21°C), and at five levels of preplant N (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 kg ha^?1). At 18/12°C, 40 kg ha^?1 preplant N resulted in a 69% increase in shoot dry matter yield. Dry matter and N accumulation rates were greatest at 40 and 80 kg ha^?1. Preplant N effects on dry matter and N accumulation at 18/12°C were expressed primarily between the early bud and early flowering stages. Assessment of soil temperature and soil N availability is necessary to determine the potential for a yield response of alfalfa to preplant N.     

Inhibitory effects of anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds on nitric oxide production in LPS/IFN-gamma-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Flavonoids have been reported to lower oxidative stress and possess beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases associated with nitric oxide (NO). Common phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonols, isoflavones, and anthocyanins, present in fruits were investigated for their effects on NO production in LPS/IFN-gamma-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Phenolic compounds at the range of 16-500 microM that inhibited NO production by > 50% without showing cytotoxicity were the flavonols quercetin and myricetin, the isoflavone daidzein, and the anthocyanins/anthocyanidins pelargonidin, cyanidin, delphinidin, peonidin, malvidin, malvidin 3-glucoside, and malvidin 3,5-diglucosides. Anthocyanins had strong inhibitory effects on NO production. Anthocyanin-rich crude extracts and concentrates of selected berries were also assayed, and their inhibitory effects on NO production were significantly correlated with total phenolic and anthocyanin contents. This is the first study to report the inhibitory effects of anthocyanins and berry phenolic compounds on NO production.