TRIACYLGLYCERINES OF Ruta graveolens GROWN in vivo AND in vitro

The composition of triacylglycerines (TAG) from photosynthetic tissues ofRuta graveolensL. (Rutaceae) grownin vivoandin vitrowas studied with respect to chain length and unsaturation. Esterification of sn-2-glycerol by unsaturated acids is less selective underin vitrothanin vivoconditions. TAG of thein vitroculture have an elevated content of forms with oleinic acid in the sn-2-position.     

Anti-Obesity Effect of Dyglomera® Is Associated with Activation of the AMPK Signaling Pathway in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Mice with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Dyglomera^® is an aqueous ethanol extract of the fruit pods of Dichrostachys glomerata, a Cameroonian spice. Several studies have shown its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects. However, the underlying mechanisms for such effects remain unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Dyglomera^® and its underlying mechanisms in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results revealed that Dyglomera^® inhibited adipogenesis and lipogenesis by regulating AMPK phosphorylation in white adipose tissues (WATs) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes and promoted lipolysis by increasing the expression of lipolysis-related proteins. These results suggest that Dyglomera^® can be used as an effective dietary supplement for treating obesity due to its modulating effect on adipogenesis/lipogenesis and lipolysis.     

Tadehaginoside modulates lipogenesis and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells

Tadehaginoside (TS) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside found in Tadehagi triquetrum, a medicinal plant with multiple biological activities. This study investigated the effect of TS on lipogenesis and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells. Treatment with TS inhibited lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was closely associated with the downregulation of lipogenic genes such as SREBP-1a, SREBP-2 and their downstream targets (FAS, ACC, HMGR) and the upregulation of lipolytic gene PPARα as revealed by real-time quantitative PCR. Further investigation showed that TS significantly stimulated glucose consumption by HepG2 cells and glucose uptake by C2C12 myotubes, which could be partially explained by the upregulation of PPARγ. Collectively, these results clearly indicate that TS is an effective regulator of lipogenesis and glucose consumption, which could be useful in treatment of obesity and diabetes.     

Novel Facet of an Old Dietary Molecule? Direct Influence of Caffeine on Glucose and Biogenic Amine Handling by Human Adipocytes

Caffeine is a plant alkaloid present in food and beverages consumed worldwide. It has high lipid solubility with recognized actions in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues, notably the adipose depots. However, the literature is scant regarding caffeine’s influence on adipocyte functions other than lipolysis, such as glucose incorporation into lipids (lipogenesis) and amine oxidation. The objective of this study was to explore the direct effects of caffeine and of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) on these adipocyte functions. Glucose transport into fat cells freshly isolated from mice, rats, or humans was monitored by determining [³H]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake, while the incorporation of radiolabeled glucose into cell lipids was used as an index of lipogenic activity. Oxidation of benzylamine by primary amine oxidase (PrAO) was inhibited by increasing doses of caffeine in human adipose tissue preparations with an inhibition constant (Ki) in the millimolar range. Caffeine inhibited basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport as well as lipogenesis in rodent adipose cells. The antilipogenic action of caffeine was also observed in adipocytes from mice genetically invalidated for PrAO activity, indicating that PrAO activity was not required for lipogenesis inhibition. These caffeine inhibitory properties were extended to human adipocytes: relative to basal 2-DG uptake, set at 1.0 ± 0.2 for 6 individuals, 0.1 mM caffeine tended to reduce uptake to 0.83 ± 0.08. Insulin increased uptake by 3.86 ± 1.11 fold when tested alone at 100 nM, and by 3.21 ± 0.80 when combined with caffeine. Our results reinforce the recommendation of caffeine’s potential in the treatment or prevention of obesity complications.     

A White Grape Juice Extract Reduces Fat Accumulation through the Modulation of Ghrelin and Leptin Expression in an In Vivo Model of Overfed Zebrafish

A caloric surplus and a sedentary lifestyle are undoubtedly known to be the leading causes of obesity. Natural products represent valuable allies to face this problematic issue. This study was planned to assess the effect of a white grape (Vitis vinifera) juice extract (WGJe) in diet-induced obese zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were divided into four different diet groups: (i) normally fed (NF); (ii) overfed (OF); (iii) WGJe-supplemented NF (5 mL/L in fish water); (iv) WGJe-supplemented OF. Body mass index (BMI) was extrapolated each week. After the fourth week, euthanized zebrafish were processed for both microscopic evaluations and gene expression analyses. OF zebrafish showed higher BMI values with respect to NF counterparts, an effect that was hindered by WGJe treatment. Moreover, histological analyses showed that the area of the adipose tissue, as well as the number, size, and density of adipocytes was significantly higher in OF fish. On the other hand, WGJe was able to avoid these outcomes both at the subcutaneous and visceral levels, albeit to different extents. At the gene level, WGJe restored the altered levels of ghrelin and leptin of OF fish both in gut and brain. Overall, our results support the anti-obesity property of WGJe, suggesting its potential role in weight management.     

Amber Extract Reduces Lipid Content in Mature 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by Activating the Lipolysis Pathway

Amber—the fossilized resin of trees—is rich in terpenoids and rosin acids. The physiological effects, such as antipyretic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory, were used in traditional medicine. This study aims to clarify the physiological effects of amber extract on lipid metabolism in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. Mature adipocytes are used to evaluate the effect of amber extract on lipolysis by measuring the triglyceride content, glucose uptake, glycerol release, and lipolysis-related gene expression. Our results show that the amount of triacylglycerol, which is stored in lipid droplets in mature adipocytes, decreases following 96 h of treatment with different concentrations of amber extract. Amber extract treatment also decreases glucose uptake and increases the release of glycerol from the cells. Moreover, amber extract increases the expression of lipolysis-related genes encoding perilipin and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and promotes the activity of HSL (by increasing HSL phosphorylation). Amber extract treatment also regulates the expression of other adipocytokines in mature adipocytes, such as adiponectin and leptin. Overall, our results indicate that amber extract increases the expression of lipolysis-related genes to induce lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells, highlighting its potential for treating various obesity-related diseases.     

MOOC环境下生物化学微课程的设计

尝试了在生物化学教学过程中应用MOOC协同教学模式进行教学重构,并以脂肪分解代谢一节为例着重详述慕课核心——微课程的设计过程,这种新颖的教学模式能显著提高学生的学习兴趣,也为研究者参与 MOOC 环境教学提供参考。     

调Q双红外脉冲激光皮下消脂初探

人体过多的脂肪严重影响形体美和健康。为了提高消脂效率可选择高吸收系数的激光,但其不易穿透表皮和真皮到达脂肪表面进行消脂。基于消融性微小光热解效应和选择性光热解效应的基本原理,采用聚焦、调Q的2.75 mm波长中红外脉冲激光消融皮肤表皮和真皮,形成微小的通道,便于后续聚焦、调Q的2.3 mm波长红外脉冲激光能量无损地穿过通道选择性光热解脂肪组织,光热解产物通过新陈代谢排出体外,微小消融区在周围正常组织作用下快速愈合,实现消脂治疗安全性和有效性的和谐统一。该研究可为皮肤科手术治疗提供一种新方法。     

Ferulic Acid Stimulates Adipocyte-Specific Secretory Proteins to Regulate Adipose Homeostasis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Obesity has recently emerged as a public health issue facing developing countries in the world. It is caused by the accumulation of fat in adipose, characterized by insulin resistance, excessive lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, leading to an increase in adipokine levels. Herein, we investigated the capacity of a bioactive polyphenolic compound (ferulic acid (FA)) to control adipocyte dysfunction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (in vitro). Key adipocyte differentiation markers, glycerol content, lipolysis-associated mRNA, and proteins were measured in experimental adipocytes. FA-treated adipocytes exhibited downregulated key adipocyte differentiation factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAT enhancer binding-proteins—α (C/EBP-α) and its downstream targets in a time-dependent manner. The FA-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes showed an increased release of glycerol content compared with non-treated adipocytes. Also, FA treatment significantly up-regulated the lipolysis-related factors, including p-HSL, and p-perilipin, and down-regulated ApoD, Sema3C, Cxcl12, Sfrp2, p-stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), adiponectin, and Grk5. Also, the FA treatment showed significantly down-regulated adipokines leptin, chemerin, and irisin than the non-treated cells. The present findings indicated that FA showed significant anti-adipogenic and lipogenic activities by regulating key adipocyte factors and enzyme, enhanced lipolysis by HSL/perilipin cascade. FA is considered a potent molecule to prevent obesity and its associated metabolic changes in the future.