Inhibitory Effects of Butein on Adipogenesis through Upregulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

• Published in: Preventive nutrition and food science Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 306 - 311
• Main Authors: Yang, Jinwoo, Sung, Jeehye, Kim, Younghwa, Jeong, Heon Sang, Lee, Junsoo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국식품영양과학회 01.12.2017; The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• Subjects: 식품과학; heme oxygenase; butein; 3T3-L1 cells; adipogenesis; obesity
• ISSN: 2287-1098; 2287-8602
• DOI: 10.3746/pnf.2017.22.4.306

Butein is reported to have many biological effects, including anti-fibrogenic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study investigated the effects of butein on adipocyte differentiation and the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway's involvement in its anti adipogenic mechanism. Butein treatment reduced protein expression of key adipogenic transcription factors such as CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). At a concentration of 5, 10, and 25 μM butein, PPARγ was decreased by 78.8, 68.3, and 31.4% and C/EBPα by 87.3, 71.7, and 42.1%, respectively. Butein also increased Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with zinc protoporphyrin, a specific HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the inhibitory effects of butein on adipogenic transcription factor protein expression. Therefore, butein inhibits adipogenesis, at least partially, through upregulation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.