Effects of Humulus lupulus extract on function of primary brown adipose tissue cells and its mechanisms / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effects of Humulus lupulus extract on the function of primary brown preadipocyte and its mechanisms, and try to provide new treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Methods: Primary brown adipocytes in newborn rats were cultivated in vitro. After adding different doses of H. lupulus extract, MTT method was used to detect the cell proliferation, and oil red O staining method was used to analyze the lipid droplets consumption rate of H. lupulus extract on the brown adipocyte. The proteins expression of brown adipocytes (such as UCP1, p38αMAPK, and PGC1α) in different groups was detected by Western blotting. Results: The cell proliferation of primary brown preadipocytes was not effected by H. lupulus extract. Compared with control group, with the increasing dose, the lipid droplets consumption rate of H. lupulus extract on the brown adipocyte was increased. The expression of UCP1, p38αMAPK, and PGC1α was upregulated compared with the control group. Conclusion: H. lupulus extract may improve the heat production of brown adipocytes, and strengthen the energy metabolism. The possible mechanism may via enhancing p38MAPK-PGC1α-UCP1 cascade reaction, sequentially increasing the expression of brown fat specificity protein UCP1.