scholarly journals Citrus Flavanone Naringenin Induces Browning and Brown Adipogenesis: Role of PPARgamma

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 382-382
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Xinyun Xu ◽  
Haley Overby ◽  
Kelsey Hildreth ◽  
Ling Zhao

Abstract Objectives Browning of white adipose tissue and brown adipogenesis induced by PPARg agonists have shown beneficial effects on obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Naringenin, a citrus flavanone, is a promising nutrient for obesity prevention partially through PPARg activation. We previously reported that naringenin significantly enhanced the isoproterenol (ISO)-stimulated thermogenesis by upregulating Ucp1 and Pgc1α in 3T3-L1 cell lines (murine white adipocytes). However, the effects of naringenin on browning and brown adipogenesis and its mechanisms have not been fully explored. We aim to investigate the effects of naringenin on browning and brown adipogenesis and its potential mechanisms in vitro. Methods Murine primary stromal white preadipocytes and murine brown preadipocytes were treated with 10 microM naringenin. PPARg knockdown (PPARg-KD) and scrambled nontargeting control (SCR) in 3T3-L1 cell lines and murine brown preadipocytes were generated and treated with naringenin (10 microM). Oil red o staining was performed to quantify lipid accumulation corresponding to the level of differentiation and the brown adipogenesis. mRNA and protein expression of candidate genes involved in thermogenesis and differentiation were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Results In murine primary stromal white adipocytes, naringenin significantly increased Ucp1 mRNA expression at the basal state and significantly enhanced the ISO-stimulated upregulation of Ucp1 and Pgc1α mRNA expression. PPARg-KD significantly blocked the naringenin-induced upregulation of Ucp1 and Pgc1α mRNA. In addition, naringenin significantly promoted the differentiation of brown preadipocytes as determined by oil red o lipid staining. Consistently, protein expression of general differentiation markers including FABP4, HSL, PLIN, and ATGL and thermogenic markers UCP1 and PGC1 α were significantly increased by naringenin, which was significantly attenuated by PPARg knockdown. Conclusions Combined with our previous study showing that naringenin transactivated PPARg using reporter assays, we demonstrated that naringenin induced browning of primary stromal white adipocytes and promoted brown adipogenesis through PPARg activation. Funding Sources The work was supported by funding from NIH.

Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martyna Łupicka ◽  
Gabriel Bodek ◽  
Nahum Shpigel ◽  
Ehud Elnekave ◽  
Anna J Korzekwa

The aim of this study was to identify uterine pluripotent cells both in bovine uterine tissues as well in epithelial, stromal, and myometrial uterine cell populations. Moreover, the relationship of pluripotent markers expression with age and the uterine horn side was considered. Uterine tissue was collected from ipsilateral and contralateral horns (days 8–10 of the estrous cycle). Immunohistostaining for C-KIT, OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in uterine tissue was determined. mRNA expression of C-KIT, OCT3/4, NANOG and SOX2 was evaluated in uterine tissue relative to the age of the cow and uterine horn side. Gene and protein expression of these markers in the uterine luminal epithelial, stromal, and myometrial cells was evaluated by real-time PCR and western blotting respectively. The expression of pluripotent cell markers OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 was identified by flow cytometry assay in epithelial, stromal, and myometrial cells. Multilineage differentiation of the bovine uterine cells was performed. mRNA expression of OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in uterine tissue was higher in the ipsilateral horn than in the contralateral horn. Flow cytometry assay revealed positive fluorescence for OCT3/4, NANOG, and SOX2 in all uterine cell types. Results showed the age-dependent expression of pluripotent markers in uterine tissue. Beside, the different expression of pluripotent cells in each horn of uterus suggests the influence of ovarian hormones on these characteristics. The highest mRNA and protein expression for pluripotent markers was observed in stromal cells among uterine cells, which indicates this population of cells as the main site of pluripotent cells in the cow uterus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1305
Author(s):  
Carlos Alonso Domínguez-Alemán ◽  
Luis Alberto Sánchez-Vargas ◽  
Karina Guadalupe Hernández-Flores ◽  
Andrea Isabel Torres-Zugaide ◽  
Arturo Reyes-Sandoval ◽  
...  

A common hallmark of dengue infections is the dysfunction of the vascular endothelium induced by different biological mechanisms. In this paper, we studied the role of recombinant NS1 proteins representing the four dengue serotypes, and their role in promoting the expression and release of endocan, which is a highly specific biomarker of endothelial cell activation. We evaluated mRNA expression and the levels of endocan protein in vitro following the stimulation of HUVEC and HMEC-1 cell lines with recombinant NS1 proteins. NS1 proteins increase endocan mRNA expression 48 h post-activation in both endothelial cell lines. Endocan mRNA expression levels were higher in HUVEC and HMEC-1 cells stimulated with NS1 proteins than in non-stimulated cells (p < 0.05). A two-fold to three-fold increase in endocan protein release was observed after the stimulation of HUVECs or HMEC-1 cells with NS1 proteins compared with that in non-stimulated cells (p < 0.05). The blockade of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) signaling on HMEC-1 cells with an antagonistic antibody prevented NS1-dependent endocan production. Dengue-infected patients showed elevated serum endocan levels (≥30 ng/mL) during early dengue infection. High endocan serum levels were associated with laboratory abnormalities, such as lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia, and are associated with the presence of NS1 in the serum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382098011
Author(s):  
Junjun Shu ◽  
Ling Xiao ◽  
Sanhua Yan ◽  
Boqun Fan ◽  
Xia Zou ◽  
...  

Objective: Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks one of the most prevalent fatal tumors of female genital organs. Aberrant promoter methylation triggers changes of microRNA (miR)-375 in OC. Our study aimed to evaluate the mechanism of methylated miR-375 promoter region in OC cell malignancy and to seek the possible treatment for OC. Methods: miR-375 promoter methylation level in OC tissues and cells was detected. miR-375 expression in OC tissues and cell lines was compared with that in demethylated cells. Role of miR-375 in OC progression was measured. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized to verify the targeting relationship between miR-375 and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). Then, Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related protein expression was tested. Moreover, xenograft transplantation was applied to confirm the in vitro experiments. Results: Highly methylated miR-375 was seen in OC tissues and cell lines, while its expression was decreased as the promoter methylation increased. Demethylation in OC cells brought miR-375 back to normal level, with obviously declined cell invasion, migration and viability and improved apoptosis. Additionally, miR-375 targeted YAP1 to regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway protein expression. Overexpressed YAP1 reversed the protein expression, promoted cell invasion, migration and viability while reduced cell apoptosis. Overexpressed miR-375 in vivo inhibited OC progression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that demethylated miR-375 inhibited OC growth by targeting YAP1 and downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This investigation may offer novel insight for OC treatment.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1028
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Nikoleousakos ◽  
Panagiotis Dalezis ◽  
Aikaterini Polonifi ◽  
Elena G. Geromichalou ◽  
Sofia Sagredou ◽  
...  

We evaluated three newly synthesized B-lactam hybrid homo-aza-steroidal alkylators (ASA-A, ASA-B and ASA-C) for their PARP1/2 inhibition activity and their DNA damaging effect against human ovarian carcinoma cells. These agents are conjugated with an alkylating component (POPA), which also served as a reference molecule (positive control), and were tested against four human ovarian cell lines in vitro (UWB1.289 + BRCA1, UWB1.289, SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3). The studied compounds were thereafter compared to 3-AB, a known PARP inhibitor, as well as to Olaparib, a standard third-generation PARP inhibitor, on a PARP assay investigating their inhibitory potential. Finally, a PARP1 and PARP2 mRNA expression analysis by qRT-PCR was produced in order to measure the absolute and the relative gene expression (in mRNA transcripts) between treated and untreated cells. All the investigated hybrid steroid alkylators and POPA decreased in vitro cell growth differentially, according to the sensitivity and different gene characteristics of each cell line, while ASA-A and ASA-B presented the most significant anticancer activity. Both these compounds induced PARP1/2 enzyme inhibition, DNA damage (alkylation) and upregulation of PARP mRNA expression, for all tested cell lines. However, ASA-C underperformed on average in the above tasks, while the compound ASA-B induced synthetic lethality effects on the ovarian cancer cells. Nevertheless, the overall outcome, leading to a drug-like potential, provides strong evidence toward further evaluation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Shang ◽  
Xiang Yu ◽  
Hui Ren ◽  
Gengyang Shen ◽  
Wenhua Zhao ◽  
...  

Extracts from plastrum testudinis (PTE) are active compounds that have been used to treat bone diseases in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In previous studies, we demonstrated their effects on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which PTE regulates the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in vitro remain poorly understood. In this study, rBMSCs were treated with medium (CON), PTE, osteogenic induction (OI), and a combination of PTE and OI (PTE+OI) over a 21-day period. We found that PTE significantly promoted rBMSCs osteogenic differentiation and mineralisation after 21 days of culturing. Moreover, PTE+OI further enhanced the differentiation and mineralisation process. PTE upregulated STE20, IGF1R, and p38 MAPK mRNA expression and downregulated TRAF6 mRNA expression. The extracts inhibited TRAF6 protein expression and promoted STE20, IGF1R, and phosphorylated p38 MAPK protein expression. Our results imply that PTE promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs by upregulating p38 MAPK, STE20, and IGF1R and downregulating TRAF6 expression, which may provide experimental evidence of the potential of PTE in the treatment of osteoporosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Longlong Li ◽  
Yao Yao ◽  
Zhihao Jiang ◽  
Jinlong Zhao ◽  
Ji Cao ◽  
...  

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a popular dietary supplement that has well-known benefits in animals and humans, but there is not enough information about the mechanisms underlying its effects. The present study aimed at investigating these mechanisms through in vitro experiments on the effects of DHEA on rat liver BRL-3A cells exposed to oxidative stress through H2O2. The findings showed that DHEA increased the antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased ROS generation, and inhibited apoptosis in H2O2-treated cells. These effects of DHEA were not observed when the cells were pretreated with known antagonists of sex hormones (Trilostane, Flutamide, or Fulvestrant). Furthermore, treatment with estradiol and testosterone did not have the same protective effects as DHEA. Thus, the beneficial effects of DHEA were associated with mechanisms that were independent of steroid hormone pathways. With regard to the mechanism underlying the antiapoptotic effect of DHEA, pretreatment with DHEA was found to induce a significant decrease in the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 and a significant increase in the protein expression of PI3K and p-Akt in H2O2-treated BRL-3A cells. These effects of DHEA were abolished when the cells were pretreated with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. No changes were observed on the p-ERK1/2, p-p38, and p-JNK protein levels in H2O2-induced BRL-3A cells pretreated with DHEA. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that DHEA protects BRL-3A cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through mechanisms that do not involve its biotransformation into steroid hormones or the activation of sex hormone receptors. Importantly, the protective effect of DHEA on BRL-3A cells was mainly associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, rather than MAPK signaling pathways.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (14) ◽  
pp. 2637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Mizerska-Kowalska ◽  
Adrianna Sławińska-Brych ◽  
Katarzyna Kaławaj ◽  
Aleksandra Żurek ◽  
Beata Pawińska ◽  
...  

Although betulin (BET), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene, has a variety of biological activities, its osteogenic potential has not been investigated so far. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of BET on differentiation of human osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 cells) in vitro in osteogenic (with ascorbic acid as an osteogenic supplement) and osteoinductive (without an additional osteogenic supplement) conditions. Osteoblast differentiation was evaluated based on the mRNA expression (RT-qPCR) of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen-α1 (COL1A1), and osteopontin (OPN). Additionally, ALP activity and production of COL1A1 (western blot analysis) and OPN (ELISA) were evaluated. The level of mineralization (calcium accumulation) was determined with Alizarin red S staining. BET upregulated the mRNA level of RUNX2 and the expression of other osteoblast differentiation markers in both cell lines (except the influence of BET on ALP expression/activity in the Saos-2 cells). Moreover, it increased mineralization in both cell lines in the osteogenic conditions. BET also increased the mRNA level of osteoblast differentiation markers in both cell lines (except for ALP in the Saos-2 cells) in the osteoinductive conditions, which was accompanied with increased matrix mineralization. The osteoinductive activity of BET in the hFOB 1.19 cells was probably mediated via activation of MAPKs (JNK and ERK1/2) and mTOR, as the specific inhibitors of these kinases abolished the BET-induced osteoblast differentiation. Our results suggest that BET has the potential to enhance osteogenesis.


Author(s):  
BIN XU ◽  
DI WU ◽  
HONG YING ◽  
YING ZHANG

Backgroud/aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a combination use of methimazole (MMI) and selenium (Se) in the treatment of Graves’ disease (GD). Materials and methods: A total of 103 newly-diagnosed hyperthyroidism patients were randomized to MMI and MMI+Se combination group. After treatment for six months, the levels of triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotrophin receptor antibody (TRAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were observed. Besides, an in vitro culture model of thyroid cells was established and the protein expression and mRNA levels of TRAb, TPOAb and TGAb were determined by western blot and RT-PCR. Results: A significant decrease in the levels of FT3, FT4, TRAb, TPOAb and TGAb were observed in both groups along with a marked increase in TSH levels. Furthermore, the in vitro experiments showed that the protein expression and mRNA levels of TRAb, TPOAb and TGAb decreased significantly. Also, compared to the MMI group, there was a greater improvement of these indices in the MMI+Se group. Conclusion: We suggest that the combined use of MMI and Se could improve the thyroid activity in patients which may provide effective therapy for the treatment of GD in clinical settings. Key words: Graves’ disease; methimazole; selenium; TRAb; TPOAb; TGAb


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