The chlorophyll-derived metabolite phytanic acid induces white adipocyte differentiation.
Phytanic acid is a derivative of the phytol side-chain of chlorophyll. It appears in humans following the ingestion of fat-containing foods and is present in human blood at a low micromolar concentration. It may activate retinoid X receptors (RXR) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha in vitro. Phytanic acid induced the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells in culture as assessed by accumulation of lipid droplets and induction of the aP2 mRNA marker. This effect was mimicked by a synthetic activator of RXR but not by a PPARalpha agonist or by palmitic acid. In human pre-adipocytes in primary culture, phytanic acid also induced adipocyte differentiation. These findings indicate that phytanic acid may act as a natural rexinoid in adipose cells and suggest a potential use in the treatment of human type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
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A
Schlüter
P
P
Yubero
R
R
Iglesias
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M
Giralt
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F
Villarroya
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010831:Phytanic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002734:Chlorophyll; D010831:Phytanic Acid