Scoparone inhibits adipocyte differentiation through down-regulation of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of scoparone on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Scoparone inhibited triglyceride (TG) accumulation in the mature adipocytes, evidenced by Oil-red O staining and intracellular quantification. Real time-PCR analysis showed that scoparone significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression of key adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ, C/EBPα, compared with mature adipocytes.

Increased vulnerability to β-cell destruction and diabetes in mice lacking NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1.

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) has been known to protect cells against stressors, including the diabetogenic reagent streptozotocin (STZ). The present study demonstrated that NQO1 deficiency resulted in increased pancreatic β-cell death induced by multiple low dose of STZ (MLDS) injections. NQO1 knockout (KO) mice showed hyperglycemia, body weight loss, impaired glucose clearance rate and a lower plasma insulin level after MLDS treatment.