Biomaterial Database

Ursolic acid inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through LKB1/AMPK pathway. 2013

Yonghan He, and Ying Li, and Tiantian Zhao, and Yanwen Wang, and Changhao Sun

Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, PR China.

BACKGROUND Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpenoid compound with multiple biological functions. This compound has recently been reported to possess an anti-obesity effect; however, the mechanisms are less understood. OBJECTIVE As adipogenesis plays a critical role in obesity, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of UA on adipogenesis and mechanisms of action in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. RESULTS The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiate in the presence or absence of UA for 6 days. The cells were determined for proliferation, differentiation, fat accumulation as well as the protein expressions of molecular targets that regulate or are involved in fatty acid synthesis and oxidation. The results demonstrated that ursolic acid at concentrations ranging from 2.5 µM to 10 µM dose-dependently attenuated adipogenesis, accompanied by reduced protein expression of CCAAT element binding protein β (C/EBPβ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT element binding protein α (C/EBPα) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), respectively. Ursolic acid increased the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), but decreased protein expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). Ursolic acid increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein expression of (silent mating type information regulation 2, homolog) 1 (Sirt1). Further studies demonstrated that the anti-adipogenic effect of UA was reversed by the AMPK siRNA, but not by the Sirt1 inhibitor nicotinamide. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), the upstream kinase of AMPK, was upregulated by UA. When LKB1 was silenced with siRNA or the inhibitor radicicol, the effect of UA on AMPK activation was diminished. CONCLUSIONS Ursolic acid inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through the LKB1/AMPK pathway. There is potential to develop UA into a therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of obesity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009765	Obesity	A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D000097245	Ursolic Acid	A pentacyclic triterpene that co-occurs with its isomer OLEANOLIC ACID in several plant species, and occurs in large amounts in FRUITS (such as CRANBERRIES; PEARS; PLUMS; and OLIVES), MEDICINAL HERBS, and other plants.	(+)-Ursolic Acid,(3 beta)-3-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic Acid,3-Epi-Ursolic Acid,3-Epiursolic Acid,3alpha-Ursolic Acid,3beta-Ursolic Acid,Olean-12-en-28-oic Acid, 3-Hydroxy-, Sodium Salt (1:1), (3beta)-,Sodium Oleanolate,Ursolic Acid Monosodium Salt,Ursolic Acid Sodium Salt,Ursolic Acid, (3beta)-Isomer, 2-(14)C-Labeled,Ursolic Acid, (3beta)-Isomer, Monopotassium Salt,Merotaine,3 Epi Ursolic Acid,3 Epiursolic Acid,3alpha Ursolic Acid,3beta Ursolic Acid,Oleanolate, Sodium
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014315	Triterpenes	A class of terpenes (the general formula C30H48) formed by the condensation of six isoprene units, equivalent to three terpene units.	Triterpene,Triterpenoid,Triterpenoids
D015398	Signal Transduction	The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.	Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D017346	Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases	A group of enzymes that catalyzes the phosphorylation of serine or threonine residues in proteins, with ATP or other nucleotides as phosphate donors.	Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases,Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase,Serine-Threonine Protein Kinases,Protein-Serine Kinase,Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinase,Protein-Threonine Kinase,Serine Kinase,Serine-Threonine Kinase,Serine-Threonine Kinases,Threonine Kinase,Kinase, Protein-Serine,Kinase, Protein-Serine-Threonine,Kinase, Protein-Threonine,Kinase, Serine-Threonine,Kinases, Protein Serine-Threonine,Kinases, Protein-Serine-Threonine,Kinases, Serine-Threonine,Protein Kinase, Serine-Threonine,Protein Kinases, Serine-Threonine,Protein Serine Kinase,Protein Serine Threonine Kinase,Protein Serine Threonine Kinases,Protein Threonine Kinase,Serine Threonine Kinase,Serine Threonine Kinases,Serine Threonine Protein Kinase,Serine Threonine Protein Kinases
D050156	Adipogenesis	The differentiation of pre-adipocytes into mature ADIPOCYTES.	Adipogeneses
D051379	Mice	The common name for the genus Mus.	Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus
D055372	AMP-Activated Protein Kinases	Intracellular signaling protein kinases that play a signaling role in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism. Their activity largely depends upon the concentration of cellular AMP which is increased under conditions of low energy or metabolic stress. AMP-activated protein kinases modify enzymes involved in LIPID METABOLISM, which in turn provide substrates needed to convert AMP into ATP.	5'-AMP-Activated Protein Kinase,AMP-Activated Kinase,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase alpha Subunit,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase alpha Subunits,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase beta Subunit,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase beta Subunits,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase gamma Subunit,AMP-Activated Protein Kinase gamma Subunits,PRKAA,5' AMP Activated Protein Kinase,AMP Activated Kinase,AMP Activated Protein Kinase,AMP Activated Protein Kinase alpha Subunit,AMP Activated Protein Kinase alpha Subunits,AMP Activated Protein Kinase beta Subunit,AMP Activated Protein Kinase beta Subunits,AMP Activated Protein Kinase gamma Subunit,AMP Activated Protein Kinase gamma Subunits,AMP Activated Protein Kinases
D019440	Anti-Obesity Agents	Agents that increase energy expenditure and weight loss by neural and metabolic regulation.	Anti-Obesity Agent,Anti-Obesity Drug,Antiobesity Agent,Antiobesity Drug,Weight-Loss Agents,Weight-Loss Drug,Anti-Obesity Drugs,Antiobesity Agents,Antiobesity Drugs,Weight-Loss Drugs,Agent, Anti-Obesity,Agent, Antiobesity,Agents, Anti-Obesity,Agents, Antiobesity,Agents, Weight-Loss,Anti Obesity Agent,Anti Obesity Agents,Anti Obesity Drug,Anti Obesity Drugs,Drug, Anti-Obesity,Drug, Antiobesity,Drug, Weight-Loss,Drugs, Anti-Obesity,Drugs, Antiobesity,Drugs, Weight-Loss,Weight Loss Agents,Weight Loss Drug,Weight Loss Drugs