Browning Effects of a Chronic Pterostilbene Supplementation in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Abstract

Obesity and related comorbidities are a major health concern. The drugs used to treat these conditions are largely inadequate or dangerous, and a well-researched approach based on nutraceuticals would be highly useful. Pterostilbene (Pt), i.e., 3,5-dimethylresveratrol, has been reported to be effective in animal models of obesity, acting on different metabolic pathways. We investigate here its ability to induce browning of white adipose tissue. Pt (5 µM) was first tested on 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes, and then it was administered (352 µmol/kg/day) to mice fed an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) for 30 weeks, starting at weaning. In the cultured adipocytes, the treatment elicited a significant increase of the levels of Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1) protein-a key component of thermogenic, energy-dissipating beige/brown adipocytes. In vivo administration antagonized weight increase, more so in males than in females. Analysis of inguinal White Adipose Tissue (WAT) revealed a trend towards browning, with significantly increased transcription of several marker genes (Cidea, Ebf2, Pgc1α, PPARγ, Sirt1, and Tbx1) and an increase in UCP1 protein levels, which, however, did not achieve significance. Given the lack of known side effects of Pt, this study strengthens the candidacy of this natural phenol as an anti-obesity nutraceutical.

• Authors: Martina La Spina, Eva Galletta, Michele Azzolini, Saioa Gomez Zorita, Sofia Parrasia, Marika Salvalaio, Andrea Salmaso, Lucia Biasutto
• Journal: International journal of molecular sciences (Int J Mol Sci) Vol. 20 Issue 21 (Oct 29 2019) ISSN: 1422-0067 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 31671737 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
• Cidea protein, mouse
• Ebf2 protein, mouse
• PPAR gamma
• Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
• Ppargc1a protein, mouse
• Stilbenes
• T-Box Domain Proteins
• Tbx1 protein, mouse
• Uncoupling Protein 1
• pterostilbene
• Sirt1 protein, mouse
• Sirtuin 1

Topics

• 3T3-L1 Cells
• Adipocytes, Brown (metabolism)
• Adipose Tissue, Brown (metabolism)
• Adipose Tissue, White (metabolism, pathology)
• Animals
• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins (genetics)
• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors (genetics)
• Body Weight
• Diet, High-Fat (adverse effects)
• Dietary Supplements
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Obesity (genetics, metabolism)
• PPAR gamma (genetics)
• Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha (genetics)
• Sirtuin 1 (genetics)
• Stilbenes (pharmacology)
• T-Box Domain Proteins (genetics)
• Thermogenesis (genetics)
• Uncoupling Protein 1 (genetics, metabolism)