title: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone inhibits adipocyte differentiation via antioxidant activity and induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anti-obesity effects of a natural plant flavonoid 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) were evaluated using 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Effects of 7,8-DHF on intracellular lipid droplets and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using a 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay and Oil Red O staining method, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was monitored by annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and by a TUNEL assay. Antioxidant enzyme mRNA levels and protein expression of adipogenic transcription factors were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whereas the cell viability of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was not affected by lower concentrations of 7,8-DHF (<20 μM), higher concentrations of 7,8-DHF (>20 μM) induced apoptotic cell death. 7,8-DHF (<20 μM) significantly reduced the intracellular lipid droplets and the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), C/EBP-β, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). 7,8-DHF treatment also dose-dependently reduced the intracellular ROS level, attenuated MAPK pathway activation, and increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase (CAT), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicated that 7,8-DHF inhibits the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells by down-regulating the expression of adipogenic transcription factors, reduces lipid accumulation, and attenuates ROS accumulation by inducing antioxidant enzymes in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, suggesting for the first time that 7,8-DHF has an anti-obesity effect in vitro via its anti-oxidant activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, The CUK Agromedical Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do 420-743, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, The CUK Agromedical Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do 420-743, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Won
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, The CUK Agromedical Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do 420-743, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jisun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, The CUK Agromedical Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do 420-743, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Doo Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Institute of Biomolecule Reconstruction, Sun Moon University, Asansi, Chungnam 336-708, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sohng
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, The CUK Agromedical Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do 420-743, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yongil382@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yong Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D047309:Flavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C485383:6,7-dihydroxyflavone; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D047309:Flavones; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
keywords: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone; Adipocyte; Anti-obesity; Antioxidant; Differentiation