title: Sulforaphane induces apoptosis in adipocytes via Akt/p70s6k1/Bad inhibition and ERK activation.
abstract: Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate isolated from cruciferous vegetables, possesses anti-oxidant and anti-cancer bioactivities. Moreover, SFN exerts its pro-apoptotic effects in some cancer lines. However, the effects and mechanisms of SFN on the regulation of apoptosis of adipocytes are still unknown. In this study, we found that SFN induced significant apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and markedly decreased the cellular lipid content. Western blot demonstrated that SFN-induced apoptosis was mediated via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway based on increased cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP), release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm, and activation of caspase-3, as well as decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. In addition, SFN markedly decreased phosphorylation of Akt and downstream proteins, p70s6k1 and Bad, and increased phosphorylation of ERK. Therefore, our findings clarified that SFN could induce 3T3-L1 adipocyte apoptosis via down-regulation of the Akt/p70s6k1/Bad pathway and up-regulation of the ERK pathway, suggesting SFN may be a promising agent for the treatment or prevention of obesity.
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Anjun
authors: A
authors: Yao
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; YinZhou District Center of Disease Control, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Yingzhuo
authors: Y
authors: Shen
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Anshi
authors: A
authors: Wang
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Shiyong
authors: S
authors: Chen
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Huiqin
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: The Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Fen
authors: F
authors: Chen
authors: Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Zhongming
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Wei
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Zuquan
authors: Z
authors: Zou
authors: School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
authors: Yujuan
authors: Y
authors: Shan
authors: Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: zhangxiaohong1@nbu.edu.cn.
authors: Xiaohong
authors: X
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D038762:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013454:Sulfoxides; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; C494820:Bad protein, mouse; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D064209:Phytochemicals; D013454:Sulfoxides; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D038762:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa; C016766:sulforaphane
keywords: Adipocyte; Akt; Apoptosis; ERK; Sulforaphane