Alendronate inhibits triglyceride accumulation and oxidative stress in adipocytes and the inflammatory response of macrophages which are associated with adipose tissue dysfunction.

Alendronate, a bisphosphonate used to prevent osteoporosis, stimulates osteogenesis but impairs adipogenesis. Different clinical trials suggest that the incidence of diabetes may be lower in patients treated with alendronate. Taking into account the importance of adipocytes and macrophages of adipose tissue in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of alendronate in both cell types.

MCAM knockdown impairs PPARγ expression and 3T3-L1 fibroblasts differentiation to adipocytes.

We investigated for the first time the expression of melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) and its involvement in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes. We found that MCAM mRNA increased subsequent to the activation of the master regulator of adipogenesis, PPARγ, and this increase was maintained in the mature adipocytes. On the other hand, MCAM knockdown impaired differentiation and induction of PPARγ as well as expression of genes activated by PPARγ.

Glyphosate Inhibits PPAR Gamma Induction and Differentiation of Preadipocytes and is able to Induce Oxidative Stress.

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GF) are extensively used for weed control. Thus, it is important to investigate their putative toxic effects. We have reported that GF at subagriculture concentrations inhibits proliferation and differentiation to adipocytes of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts.

Effect of hexavalent chromium on proliferation and differentiation to adipocytes of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts.

Heavy metals contamination has become an important risk factor for public health and the environment. Chromium is a frequent industrial contaminant and is also used in orthopaedic joint replacements made from cobalt-chromium-alloy. Since hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was reported as genotoxic and carcinogenic in different mammals, to further evaluate its cytotoxicity, we investigated the effect of this heavy metal in the proliferation and differentiation to adipocytes of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts.

Exchange protein activated by cyclic AMP is involved in the regulation of adipogenic genes during 3T3-L1 fibroblasts differentiation.

Adipogenesis is stimulated in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts by a combination of insulin, dexamethasone and isobutylmethylxanthine, IBMX, (I+D+M). Two transcription factors are important for the acquisition of the adipocyte phenotype, C/EBP beta (CCAT enhancer-binding protein beta) and PPAR gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma). IBMX increases cAMP content, which can activate protein kinase A (PKA) and/or EPAC (exchange protein activated by cAMP).

A commercial formulation of glyphosate inhibits proliferation and differentiation to adipocytes and induces apoptosis in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts.

Glyphosate-based herbicides are extensively used for weed control all over the world. Therefore, it is important to investigate the putative toxic effects of these formulations which include not only glyphosate itself but also surfactants that may also be toxic. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts are a useful tool to study adipocyte differentiation, this cell line can be induced to differentiate by addition of a differentiation mixture containing insulin, dexamethasone and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine.

PKA-dependent and independent cAMP signaling in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts differentiation.

Adipogenesis is stimulated in 3T3-L1 fibroblast by a combination of insulin, dexamethasone, and methylisobutylxanthine (MIX). Mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) precedes differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblast to adipocytes. MIX increases cAMP content, which is the activator of protein kinase A (PKA).

Induction of 5-aminolevulinate synthase by activators of steroid biosynthesis.

Different cytochromes P450 are involved in steroid biosynthesis. These cytochromes have heme as the prosthetic group. We previously reported that ACTH, an activator of glucocorticoid biosynthesis in adrenal, requires heme biosynthesis for a maximal response.