Jian Pi Tiao Gan Yin alleviates obesity phenotypes through mTORC1/SREBP1 signaling in vitro and in vivo

Dapagliflozin promotes white adipose tissue browning though regulating angiogenesis in high fat induced obese mice

Browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) is become an appealing target for therapeutics in the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Dapagliflozin is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and it is also found that the drug exhibits regulate systemic metabolism such as obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. However, the precise role of dapagliflozin on WAT remodeling remains to be elucidated. The current study aimed to explore the role of dapagliflozin on WAT browning in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 6 per group) were used to establish obesity model by following feeding with HFD for 6 weeks. The mice were randomly treated with or without dapagliflozin for the experimental observation. The volume and fat fraction of WAT were quantified, H&E, UCP-1 staining and immunohistochemistry were conducted to investigate the white-to-brown fat conversion and angiogenesis in WAT respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to explore the mRNA expression levels of genes related to fat browning and angiogenesis in WAT. Subsequently, 3T3-L1 cells were used to explore the effect of dapagliflozin on preadipocytes differentiation in vitro. Our results demonstrated that dapagliflozin could reduce body weight gain and promote WAT browning in HFD induced obese mice via regulating lipogenesis and angiogenesis in WAT. Furthermore, dapagliflozin reduce cells differentiation, up-regulate the expression of WAT browning and angiogenesis genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro. In conclusion, dapagliflozin can potentially promote WAT browning in HFD induced obese mice via improving lipogenesis and angiogenesis in WAT.

Alisol B 23-acetate promotes white adipose tissue browning to mitigate high-fat diet-induced obesity by regulating mTOR-SREBP1 signaling

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is a global health concern with management strategies encompassing bariatric surgery and anti-obesity drugs; however, concerns regarding complexities and side effects persist, driving research for more effective, low-risk strategies. The promotion of white adipose tissue (WAT) browning has emerged as a promising approach. Moreover, alisol B 23-acetate (AB23A) has demonstrated efficacy in addressing metabolic disorders, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in obesity management. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of AB23A for mitigating obesity by regulating metabolic phenotypes and lipid distribution in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

An obesity mouse model was established by administration of an HFD. Glucose and insulin metabolism were assessed via glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Adipocyte size was determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of browning markers in WAT was evaluated using Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Metabolic cage monitoring involved the assessment of various parameters, including food and water intake, energy metabolism, respiratory exchange rates, and physical activity. Moreover, oil red O staining was used to evaluate intracellular lipid accumulation. A bioinformatic analysis tool for identifying the molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine was used to examine AB23A targets and associated signaling pathways.

RESULTS

AB23A administration significantly reduced the weight of obese mice, decreased the mass of inguinal WAT, epididymal WAT, and perirenal adipose tissue, improved glucose and insulin metabolism, and reduced adipocyte size. Moreover, treatment with AB23A promoted the expression of browning markers in WAT, enhanced overall energy metabolism in mice, and had no discernible effect on food intake, water consumption, or physical activity. In 3T3-L1 cells, AB23A inhibited lipid accumulation, and both AB23A and rapamycin inhibited the mammalian target of rapamycin-sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (mTOR-SREBP1) signaling pathway. Furthermore, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone and insulin, at concentrations of 0.25 mmol/L, 0.25 μmol/L and 1 μg/mL, respectively, induced activation of the mTOR-SREBP1 signaling pathway, which was further strengthened by an mTOR activator MHY1485. Notably, MHY1485 reversed the beneficial effects of AB23A in 3T3-L1 cells.

CONCLUSION

AB23A promoted WAT browning by inhibiting the mTOR-SREBP1 signaling pathway, offering a potential strategy to prevent obesity. Please cite this article as: Han LL, Zhang X, Zhang H, Li T, Zhao YC, Tian MH, Sun FL, Feng B. Alisol B 23-acetate promotes white adipose tissue browning to mitigate high-fat diet-induced obesity by regulating mTOR-SREBP1 signaling. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(1): 83-92.