Effect of Crocetin on Basal Lipolysis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Francisco J. Cimas,
Miguel Ángel De la Cruz-Morcillo,
Carmen Cifuentes,
Natalia Moratalla-López,
Gonzalo L. Alonso,
Eduardo Nava,
Sílvia Llorens
Affiliations
Francisco J. Cimas
Mecenazgo COVID-19, Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02008 Albacete, Spain
Miguel Ángel De la Cruz-Morcillo
Food Quality Research Group, Institute for Regional Development (IDR), Campus Universitario s/n, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02071 Albacete, Spain
Carmen Cifuentes
Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02008 Albacete, Spain
Natalia Moratalla-López
Cátedra de Química Agrícola, Higher Technical School of Agronomic and Forestry Engineering and Biotechnology (ETSIAMB), University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus Universitario, 02006 Albacete, Spain
Gonzalo L. Alonso
Cátedra de Química Agrícola, Higher Technical School of Agronomic and Forestry Engineering and Biotechnology (ETSIAMB), University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus Universitario, 02006 Albacete, Spain
Eduardo Nava
Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02008 Albacete, Spain
Sílvia Llorens
Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 02008 Albacete, Spain
Crocetin (CCT) is a natural saffron-derived apocarotenoid that possesses healthy properties such as anti-adipogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Lipolysis is enhanced in obesity and correlates with a pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant state. In this context, we aimed to investigate whether CCT affects lipolysis. To evaluate CCT’s possible lipolytic effect, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with CCT10μM at day 5 post-differentiation. Glycerol content and antioxidant activity were assessed using colorimetric assays. Gene expression was measured using qRT-PCR to evaluate the effect of CCT on key lipolytic enzymes and on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression. Total lipid accumulation was assessed using Oil Red O staining. CCT10μM decreased glycerol release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes and downregulated adipose tissue triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and perilipin-1, but not hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), suggesting an anti-lipolytic effect. CCT increased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, thus showing an antioxidant effect. In addition, CCT exhibited an anti-inflammatory profile, i.e., diminished inducible NOS (NOS2) and resistin expression, while enhanced the expression of adiponectin. CCT10μM also decreased intracellular fat and C/EBPα expression (a transcription factor involved in adipogenesis), thus revealing an anti-adipogenic effect. These findings point to CCT as a promising biocompound for improving lipid mobilisation in obesity.
