[Effects of berberine on cell proliferation, peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma, CAAT/enhancer binding protein mRNA and protein expression in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect and mechanism of berberine (BER) on the proliferation and differentiation of adipocytes.


METHODS
The proliferation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes was detected by XTT method. Lipid droplets accumulated in the cytoplasm of adipocytes in the differentiating process were observed by oil red O staining and quantified by colorimetry. The expressions of peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), CAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) mRNA and protein were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively.


RESULTS
Intervention with BER in concentration below 10 micromol/L for 24 h showed insignificant effect on the proliferation of adipocytes, as compared with that in the control group (P > 0.05); but that in concentrations 20, 40 and 80 micromol/L revealed significant suppressive effect; that in different concentrations acting for 48 h and 72 h could affect the proliferation and the effect displayed a dose-dependent manner, i. e. the higher the concentration of BER, the more apparent the suppression, showing significant difference as compared with those in the control group (P <0.05 or P <0.01). The pre-adipocyte treated with 10 micromol/L BER showed that the lipid droplets in the cytoplasm significantly lessened, so did the expression of differentiation related factor PPAR gamma mRNA as well as the expressions of C/EBPalpha mRNA and protein, as compared with those in the blank control group and the group intervened with rosiglitazone, the difference was significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
BER can suppress the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, reduce the accumulation of lipid drops in the adipocyte differentiating process, which may be associated with its effects in decreasing the expressions of adipocyte differentiation related gene PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha mRNA and protein. The study provides a basis for applying BER on the prevention and treatment of such metabolic related diseases as obesity.
Liu
Yi
Y
Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai.
Lou
Shao-Ying
SY
He
Yan-Ming
YM
D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D022763:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D022763:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha; D047495:PPAR gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001599:Berberine