• 제목/요약/키워드: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

검색결과 342건 처리시간 0.02초

Effects of dietary leucine supplementation on the hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism in normal birth weight and intrauterine growth-retarded weanling piglets

  • Su, Weipeng;Xu, Wen;Zhang, Hao;Ying, Zhixiong;Zhou, Le;Zhang, Lili;Wang, Tian
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • 제11권2호
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    • pp.121-129
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    • 2017
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary leucine supplementation on mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism in the liver of normal birth weight (NBW) and intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) weanling piglets. MATERIALS/METHODS: A total of sixteen pairs of NBW and IUGR piglets from sixteen sows were selected according to their birth weight. At postnatal day 14, all piglets were weaned and fed either a control diet or a leucine-supplemented diet for 21 d. Thereafter, a $2{\times}2$ factorial experimental design was used. Each treatment consisted of eight replications with one piglet per replication. RESULTS: Compared with NBW piglets, IUGR piglets had a decreased (P < 0.05) hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. Also, IUGR piglets exhibited reductions (P < 0.05) in the activities of hepatic mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), citrate synthase (CS), ${\alpha}$-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (${\alpha}$-KGDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and complexes I and V, along with decreases (P < 0.05) in the concentration of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the protein expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ coactivator $1{\alpha}$ (PGC-$1{\alpha}$). Dietary leucine supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the content of ATP, and the activities of CS, ${\alpha}$-KGDH, MDH, and complex V in the liver of piglets. Furthermore, compared to those fed a control diet, piglets given a leucine-supplemented diet exhibited increases (P < 0.05) in the mtDNA content and in the mRNA expressions of sirtuin 1, PGC-$1{\alpha}$, nuclear respiratory factor 1, mitochondrial transcription factor A, and ATP synthase, $H^+$ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex, ${\beta}$ polypeptide in liver. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary leucine supplementation may exert beneficial effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism in NBW and IUGR weanling piglets.

TM-25659-Induced Activation of FGF21 Level Decreases Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Skeletal Muscle via GCN2 Pathways

  • Jung, Jong Gab;Yi, Sang-A;Choi, Sung-E;Kang, Yup;Kim, Tae Ho;Jeon, Ja Young;Bae, Myung Ae;Ahn, Jin Hee;Jeong, Hana;Hwang, Eun Sook;Lee, Kwan-Woo
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • 제38권12호
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    • pp.1037-1043
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    • 2015
  • The TAZ activator 2-butyl-5-methyl-6-(pyridine-3-yl)-3-[2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine] (TM-25659) inhibits adipocyte differentiation by interacting with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. 1 TM-25659 was previously shown to decrease weight gain in a high fat (HF) diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying the effects of TM-25659 remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of TM-25659 on skeletal muscle functions in C2 myotubes and C57BL/6J mice. We studied the molecular mechanisms underlying the contribution of TM-25659 to palmitate (PA)-induced insulin resistance in C2 myotubes. TM-25659 improved PA-induced insulin resistance and inflammation in C2 myotubes. In addition, TM-25659 increased FGF21 mRNA expression, protein levels, and FGF21 secretion in C2 myotubes via activation of GCN2 pathways (GCN2-$phosphoelF2{\alpha}$-ATF4 and FGF21). This beneficial effect of TM-25659 was diminished by FGF21 siRNA. C57BL/6J mice were fed a HF diet for 30 weeks. The HF-diet group was randomly divided into two groups for the next 14 days: the HF-diet and HF-diet + TM-25659 groups. The HF diet + TM-25659-treated mice showed improvements in their fasting blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation, and inflammation, but neither body weight nor food intake was affected. The HF diet + TM-25659-treated mice also exhibited increased expression of both FGF21 mRNA and protein. These data indicate that TM-25659 may be beneficial for treating insulin resistance by inducing FGF21 in models of PA-induced insulin resistance and HF diet-induced insulin resistance.

MiR-144-3p and Its Target Gene β-Amyloid Precursor Protein Regulate 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2-3,6-Tetrahydropyridine-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction

  • Li, Kuo;Zhang, Junling;Ji, Chunxue;Wang, Lixuan
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • 제39권7호
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    • pp.543-549
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    • 2016
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in many neurodegenerative diseases. The present study focused on the role of hsa-miR-144-3p in one of the neuro-degenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease (PD). Our study showed a remarkable down-regulation of miR-144-3p expression in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated SH-SY5Y cells. MiR-144-3p was then overexpressed and silenced in human SH-SY5Y cells by miRNA-mimics and miRNA-inhibitor transfections, respectively. Furthermore, ${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein (APP) was identified as a target gene of miR-144-3p via a luciferase reporter assay. We found that miR-144-3p overexpression significantly inhibited the protein expression of APP. Since mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to be one of the major pathological events in PD, we also focused on the role of miR-144-3p and APP in regulating mitochondrial functions. Our study demonstrated that up-regulation of miR-144-3p increased expression of the key genes involved in maintaining mitochondrial function, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ coactivator-$1{\alpha}$(PGC-$1{\alpha}$), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Moreover, there was also a significant increase in cellular ATP, cell viability and the relative copy number of mtDNA in the presence of miR-144-3p overexpression. In contrast, miR-144-3p silencing showed opposite effects. We also found that APP overexpression significantly decreased ATP level, cell viability, the relative copy number of mtDNA and the expression of these three genes, which reversed the effects of miR-144-3p overexpression. Taken together, these results show that miR-144-3p plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function, and its target gene APP is also involved in this process.

항당뇨 기능성 식품의 개발 전략 (Strategies for Development of Anti- diabetic Functional Foods)

  • 박선민
    • 식품과학과 산업
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    • 제40권2호
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    • pp.46-58
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    • 2007
  • 제2형 당뇨병은 대사성 질환으로 간, 근육 그리고 지방 조직 세포에서 인슐린 작용의 장애로 나타나는 인슐린 저항성으로 혈당의 이용이 감소하여 혈당이 높아짐에도 불구하고 췌장의 베타세포에서 인슐린 분비가 충분하지 못할 때 유발된다. 서구에서는 비만 등으로 인해 인슐린 저항성이 증가하면 인슐린 분비가 높은 고인슐린혈증을 나타내어 당뇨병으로의 진전은 늦다. 하지만 우리나라를 비롯한 아시아의 사람들은 인슐린 저항성이 증가할 때 인슐린 분비가 충분치 못해 혈청 인슐린 농도가 정상인과 비슷하거나 더 낮은 상태에서 당뇨병으로 진전된다. 이러한 차이는 우리나라를 비롯한 아시아 사람들에게서 제2형 당뇨병의 발생이 급격하게 증가할 것이라는 보고되었다. 결국 당뇨병은 간, 근육 및 지방조직에서의 인슐린 작용의 장애와 췌장의 베타세포에서 인슐린 분비의 부족의 복합적인 장애에 의해서 나타나고 이것은 공통적으로 각 조직에서의 인슐린/insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 신호전달의 장애와 관련이 있다. 베타세포에서의 인슐린분비 자체는 인슐린/IGF-1 신호전달과 관계가 없지만 간접적으로 관련이 있다. 인슐린 분비능은 베타세포의 증식과 생존에 의한 베타세포의 양과 밀접한 관련이 있는데 인슐린/IGF-1 신호전달은 베타세포의 증식과 생존을 조절한다. 그러므로 혈당 조절에 관여하는 기능성 식품은 인슐린 작용을 향상시키는 인슐린 민감성 특성을 가지거나, 혈당이 높아질 때 인슐린 분비를 촉진시키는 insulinotropic 작용을 하는 성질을 가지고 있어야 하겠다. 전자의 대표적인 약은 1999년에 미국 FDA에서 승인 받은 peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR)-{\gamma}$ agonist 인 thiazolidinedione 계통의 약물인 troglitazone, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone 등이 있고, 후자는 2007년에 승인 받은 Exenatide는 glucagon like peptide (GLP)-1 agonist이다. 이 두 가지 약은 모두 자연계에 존재하는 동식물에서 유래된 것으로 식품에도 많이 다양한 종류의 인슐린 민감성 물질이나 insulinotropic 작용을 하는 물질이 함유되어 있을 것이다. 이러한 기능 이외에 혈당조절 약이나 식품으로 사용되는 것은 탄수화물의 소화를 방해하는 것으로 탄수화물 소화효소인 a-amylase 또는 maltase의 활성을 억제하여 식후 혈당의 급격한 상승을 방지하는 것이 있다. 우리나라 사람들은 탄수화물의 섭취가 너무 많아서 실제로 이러한 식품이나 약의 효능이 높지 않을 것이다. 혈당을 조절하는 기능성 식품은 이 세 가지 효능 중 일부를 가지고 있는 것이 될 수 있다. 이러한 기능을 스크리닝하기 위해서 3가지 단계를 거쳐야 한다. 먼저 시험관에서 또는 세포 실험을 통해서 앞서 언급한 3가지 기능을 가지고 있는 지 여부를 각각 조사한다. 이중에서 효과가 있는 것은 당뇨 동물 모델을 사용하여 in vivo에서 혈당 강하기능과 혈당 강하기전을 조사하는 실험을 한다. 효과가 있는 식품이 우리가 전통적으로 식품으로 섭취해 왔다면 독성 검사를 거쳐야 할 필요가 없지만 한약재이거나 특수 식품의 경우에는 in vivo 실험 전에 GLP 기관에서 반드시 독성 실험을 거쳐 독성 유무를 확인할 필요가 있다. 동물 실험에서 효과적인 것은 인체 실험을 거쳐 혈당 조절 기능성 식품으로 식약청에서 허가를 받을 수 있겠다. 결론적으로 식품에는 항당뇨 특성을 가진 물질들이 함유되어 있는 것들이 상당히 많다. 혈당 조절기능이 있는 기능성 식품으로 개발할 때 고려해야 할 것은 1) 그 양이 혈당 강하 기능성 식품으로 지정받을 수 있을 정도로 충분히 함유되어 있느냐, 2) 혈당을 강하시키는 기전이 단순히 당의 배설을 촉진시켜서 혈당을 저하시키는 것이 아니라, 인슐린 작용을 촉진시키거나, 포도당 자극에 의한 인슐린 분비를 촉진시키거나 탄수화물의 소화 흡수를 억제시킴으로 혈당을 강하시키는 지 등을 파악하는 것이다. 이러한 조건을 만족시키는 식품은 지속적으로 섭취할 때 당뇨병을 예방하거나 진전을 지연시킬 수 있는 혈당조절기능이 있는 기능성 식품으로 개발 가능성이 있겠다.

뽕잎 추출물 기원 Flavonoid Rich Fraction의 항비만효과 (Anti-obesity Effect of the Flavonoid Rich Fraction from Mulberry Leaf Extract)

  • 고은지;류병렬;양수진;백종섭;유수지;김현복;임정대
    • 한국약용작물학회지
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    • 제28권6호
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    • pp.395-411
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    • 2020
  • Background: This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) and its constituent, rutin obtained from the leaf of Morus alba L., on the lipid accumulation mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and C57BL/6 mouse models. Methods and Results: In Oil Red O staining, FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) treatments showed inhibition rate of 35.39% in lipid accumulation compared to that in the control. AdipoRedTM assay indicated that the triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) was reduced to 23.22%, and free glycerol content was increased to 106.04% that of the control. FRF and its major constituent, rutin affected mRNA gene expression. Rutin contributed to the inhibition of Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expression, and inhibited the transcription factors SREBP-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, the effect of FRF administration on obesity development in C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated. FRF suppressed weight gain, and reduced liver triglyceride and leptin secretion. FRF exerted potential anti-inflammatory effects by improving insulin resistance and adiponectin levels, and could thus be used to help counteract obesity. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ, FAS, ACC, and CPT-1 were determined in liver tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was also performed to evaluate the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in epididymal adipose tissue. Compared to the control group, mice fed the HFD showed the up-regulation in PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α genes, and down-regulation in CPT1 gene expression. FRF treatement markedly reduced the expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in HFD control, whereas increased the expression level of CPT1. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FRF and its major active constituent, rutin, can be used as effective anti-obesity agents.

Major ginsenosides from Panax ginseng promote aerobic cellular respiration and SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons

  • Huang, Qingxia;Lou, Tingting;Lu, Jing;Wang, Manying;Chen, Xuenan;Xue, Linyuan;Tang, Xiaolei;Qi, Wenxiu;Zhang, Zepeng;Su, Hang;Jin, Wenqi;Jing, Chenxu;Zhao, Daqing;Sun, Liwei;Li, Xiangyan
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • 제46권6호
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    • pp.759-770
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    • 2022
  • Background: Aerobic cellular respiration provides chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain multiple cellular functions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can deacetylate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Targeting energy metabolism is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cardiac and neurological disorders. Ginsenosides, one of the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, have been extensively used due to their diverse beneficial effects on healthy subjects and patients with different diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of total ginsenosides (GS) on energy metabolism remain unclear. Methods: In this study, oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, glucose metabolism, and SIRT1-PGC-1α pathways in untreated and GS-treated different cells, fly, and mouse models were investigated. Results: GS pretreatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration capacity and ATP production in aerobic respiration-dominated cardiomyocytes and neurons, and promoted tricarboxylic acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, GS clearly enhanced NAD+-dependent SIRT1 activation to increase mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons, which was completely abrogated by nicotinamide. Importantly, ginsenoside monomers, such as Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rh1, Rb2, and Rb3, were found to activate SIRT1 and promote energy metabolism. Conclusion: This study may provide new insights into the extensive application of ginseng for cardiac and neurological protection in healthy subjects and patients.

Screening of key miRNAs related with the differentiation of subcutaneous adipocytes and the validation of miR-133a-3p functional significance in goats

  • Xin, Li;Hao, Zhang;Yong, Wang;Yanyan, Li;Youli, Wang;Jiangjiang, Zhu;Yaqiu, Lin
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • 제36권1호
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    • pp.144-155
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    • 2023
  • Objective: Adipocyte differentiation is regulated by a variety of functional genes and noncoding RNAs. However, the role of miRNAs in lipid deposition of goat white adipose tissue is still unclear. Therefore, this study revealed the miRNA expression profile in goat subcutaneous adipocytes by sRNA-seq. Methods: The miRNA expressed in goat subcutaneous preadipocytes and the mature adipocytes were sequenced by sRNA-seq. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEm) were screened and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia for genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function combined with oil red O staining, Bodipy staining, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were utilized to determine the effect of miR-133a-3p on adipocyte differentiation. Results: A total of 218 DEm were screened out. The target genes of these DEm were significantly enriched in GO items such as biological regulation and in KEGG terms such as FAK signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. qPCR verified that the expression trend of miRNA was consistent with miRNA-seq. The gain-of-function or loss-of-function of miR-133a-3p showed that it promoted or inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets, and CCAAT enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ were extremely significantly up-regulated or down-regulated respectively (p<0.01), the loss-of-function also led to a significant down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study successfully identified miRNAs expression patterns in goat subcutaneous adipocytes, and functional identification indicates that miR-133a-3p is a positive regulator of the differentiation process of goat subcutaneous adipocytes. Our results lay the foundation for the molecular mechanism of lipid deposition in meat-source goats from the perspective of miRNA.

지방세포로의 분화를 통한 악성 종양의 치료 가능성 (Possibility of Cancer Treatment by Cellular Differentiation into Adipocytes)

  • 전병균;이성호
    • 생명과학회지
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    • 제33권6호
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    • pp.512-522
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    • 2023
  • 전세계적으로 인류를 위협하는 가장 큰 질병은 악성종양 혹은 암이다. 이에 따라, 수술적 요법, 항암제를 사용한 항암 요법, 방사선 요법, 면역 요법을 포함한 여러 다양한 방법이 다양한 암의 진단과 치료를 위해 단독 혹은 혼용하여 현재까지 적용되고 있으나, 지금까지 가장 흔히 적용되는 항암 요법은 심각한 부작용이나 특정한 암에 제한적으로 적용되기도 하는 문제점을 가지고 있어, 좀 더 부작용이 낮은 새로운 치료 방법이 절실한 실정이다. 일반적으로 무한 증식을 하는 줄기세포는 세포 분화 후 세포의 성장이 정지되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이에 이 총설에서는 거의 모든 암세포에서 공통적으로 나타나는 높은 포도당 대사 과정을 가진 암세포에 지방세포로의 분화를 유도하여, 분화된 암세포가 성장 억제 효과가 일어날 수 있는지 조사하였다. 여러 선행 연구에서, 당뇨병의 치료제로 사용되는 TDZs 계열의 약물을 여러 조직 기원의 암세포에 체외 투여하였을 때, 많은 조직 기원의 암세포주는 지방세포로 분화가 되는 것으로 알려줬으며, 분화된 암세포주는 세포의 성장이 점점 억제되는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들을 종합해 볼 때, 거의 모든 암세포에서 공통적으로 나타내는 높은 포도당 대사를 이용하여, 암세포를 지방세포로 분화를 유도하는 방법으로 암의 치료를 위한 한 요법 혹은 보조 요법으로 적용이 가능할 것으로 생각된다. 그러나, 체내에서 임상적으로 적용을 위해서는 지방세포 분화를 위한 약물이 성상 체세포 및 우리 몸의 재생을 위해 존재하는 줄기세포에 미치는 영향과 여러 체내 부작용을 면밀하게 조사하는 것이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

3T3-L1 세포에서 지방세포형성 유도조절자 및 억제조절자의 발현에 대한 platycodin D의 효과 (Effects of Platycodin D on Gene Expressions of Pro-adipogenic and Anti-adipogenic Regulators in 3T3-L1 Cells)

  • 이해용;강련화;조수현;김성수;김영식;윤유식
    • 생명과학회지
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    • 제19권12호
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    • pp.1802-1807
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    • 2009
  • Platycodi radix의 주요 성분으로 항염증, 항고지혈 및 항종양 등 다양한 약리적 기능을 가지는 platycodin D는 최근 비만 및 지방세포형성(adipogenesis)을 억제하는 효과를 가진다고 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 adipogenesis의 상위단계에 위치한 다양한 pro-adipogenic regulators와 anti-adipogenic regulators의 발현이 platycodin D에 의해 어떻게 변화되는지 분석하였다. Real-time PCR을 이용한 mRNA 발현의 정량적 분석에서 adipogenesis의 marker라 불리는 ADIPOQ와 GLUT4의 mRNA 발현은 platycodin D의 처리에 의해 유의적으로 감소되었다. 또한 terminal marker의 발현을 조절하는 PPAR$\gamma$와 C/EPB$\alpha$의 mRNA 발현 역시 platycodin D에 의해 유의하게 억제되었다. Platycodin D의 지방세포 억제 효과에 대한 상세한 분자적 메커니즘을 규명하기 위해, PPAR$\gamma$와 C/EPB$\alpha$의 상위 조절자들의 mRNA 발현 변화를 분석하였다. Pro-adipogenic regulators에 대한 platycodin D의 효과를 분석한 결과, C/EBP$\beta$와 C/EPB$\delta$의 mRNA 발현은 platycodin D에 의해 변화가 없었던 반면, KROX20과 KLF15의 mRNA 발현은 각각 초기 분화(2일)와 후기 분화(4일)에서 platycodin D에 의해 유의한 감소를 보였다. 또한, 대표적인 anti-adipogenic regulators인 CHOP의 mRNA 발현은 초기분화에서 platycodin D에 의해 유의하게 증가한 반면, 또 다른 anti-adipogenic regulators인 C/EBP$\gamma$의 mRNA 발현은 platycodin D에 의해 영향을 받지 않았다. 따라서 adipogenesis 과정에서 platycodin D는 pro-adipogenic regulators인 KROX20, KLF15와 anti-adipogenic regulator인 CHOP의 mRNA 발현에 영향을 주어 PPAR$\gamma$와 C/EPB$\alpha$를 조절하는 것으로 보여진다. 결론적으로, platycodin D에 의한 adipogenesis 억제 효과는 KROX20, KLF15 등의pro-adipogenic regulator와 CHOP 등의 anti-adipogenic regulator의 상호작용을 통해 나타나는 결과라 사료된다.

Processed Panax ginseng, sun ginseng, inhibits the differentiation and proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

  • Lee, Hyejin;Kim, Jinhee;Park, Jun Yeon;Kang, Ki Sung;Park, Joeng Hill;Hwang, Gwi Seo
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • 제41권3호
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    • pp.257-267
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    • 2017
  • Background: Heat-processed ginseng, sun ginseng (SG), has been reported to have improved therapeutic properties compared with raw forms, such as increased antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity effects of SG through the suppression of cell differentiation and proliferation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells and the lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: To investigate the effect of SG on adipocyte differentiation, levels of stained intracellular lipid droplets were quantified by measuring the oil red O signal in the lipid extracts of cells on differentiation Day 7. To study the effect of SG on fat accumulation in C. elegans, L4 stage worms were cultured on an Escherichia coli OP50 diet supplemented with $10{\mu}g/mL$ of SG, followed by Nile red staining. To determine the effect of SG on gene expression of lipid and glucose metabolism-regulation molecules, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of genes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, the phosphorylation of Akt was examined by Western blotting. Results: SG suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells stimulated by a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI), and inhibited the proliferation of adipocytes during differentiation. Treatment of C. elegans with SG showed reductions in lipid accumulation by Nile red staining, thus directly demonstrating an antiobesity effect for SG. Furthermore, SG treatment down-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor subtype ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and decreased the mRNA level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c in MDI-treated adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-regulating factors, such as amplifying mouse fatty acid-binding protein 2, leptin, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter protein 1, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, were increased, whereas that of the lipolytic enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 was decreased. Our data demonstrate that SG inversely regulated the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG induced increases in the mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes such as glucokinase and pyruvate kinase, and a decrease in the mRNA level of the glycogenic enzyme phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase. In addition, mRNA levels of the glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 were elevated by MDI stimulation, whereas SG dose-dependently inhibited the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) at an early phase of MDI stimulation. Intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels were markedly decreased by MDI stimulation and recovered by SG treatment of adipocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SG effectively inhibits adipocyte proliferation and differentiation through the downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$, by suppressing Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation and enhancing NO production. These results provide strong evidence to support the development of SG for antiobesity treatment.