Ginsenoside Rb1 Facilitates Browning by Repressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The discovery of browning in white adipose tissue has provided new ideas for treating obesity. Many studies have reported that ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1) has activity against diabetes, inflammation, and obesity, but further investigation is needed on the effect and mechanism of G-Rb1 on browning. MATERIAL AND METHODS We treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 0-200 μM G-Rb1, and 0.5 μM Compound 3f and 30 μM SKL2001 were used to activate Wnt/b-catenin signaling. Adipocyte activity was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8. Oil Red O staining was used to detect the lipid droplets. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of Cd-137, Cited-1, Txb-1, Prdm-16, and Ucp-1 mRNA. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of Ucp-1, pGSK-3ß (Ser 9), GSK- 3ß, and ß-catenin proteins. The expression of Ucp-1 was also detected with immunofluorescence. RESULTS Adipocyte activity was not affected by 0-100 μM G-Rb1. However, G-Rb1 dose-dependently reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets; increased the expression of Cd-137, Cited-1, Txb-1, Prdm-16, and Ucp-1 mRNA; and increased the expression of Ucp-1, pGSK-3ß (Ser 9), GSK-3ß, and ß-catenin proteins. The accumulation of lipid droplets and the expression of Ucp-1 protein decreased as b-catenin increased. CONCLUSIONS G-Rb1 at various concentrations (0-100 μM) promoted the browning of adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Further, we confirmed that activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling could inhibit browning. Therefore, the browning promoted by G-Rb1 may be associated with the inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

• Authors: Qingxin Fan, Pengjiao Xi, Derun Tian, Lianqun Jia, Yuan Cao, Kaixuan Zhan, Tianwei Sun, Yinlong Zhang, Qiming Wang
• Journal: Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research (Med Sci Monit) Vol. 27 Pg. e928619 (Jan 27 2021) ISSN: 1643-3750 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33503016 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ginsenosides
• Lipids
• Transcription Factors
• beta Catenin
• ginsenoside Rb1

Topics

• 3T3-L1 Cells
• Adipocytes (drug effects)
• Adipocytes, White (drug effects, metabolism)
• Adipogenesis (drug effects)
• Adipose Tissue, White (metabolism)
• Animals
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Ginsenosides (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Lipid Metabolism (physiology)
• Lipids (physiology)
• Mice
• Obesity (metabolism)
• Transcription Factors (metabolism)
• Wnt Signaling Pathway (drug effects)
• beta Catenin (drug effects, metabolism)