A PDE1 inhibitor reduces adipogenesis in mice via regulation of lipolysis and adipogenic cell signaling

Exp Mol Med. 2019 Jan 11;51(1):1-15. doi: 10.1038/s12276-018-0198-7.

Abstract

Vinpocetine, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) type-1 inhibitor, increases cAMP and cGMP levels and is currently used for the management of cerebrovascular disorders, such as stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, and cognitive dysfunctions. In this study, we first determined that vinpocetine effectively suppressed adipogenesis and lipid accumulation. However, we questioned which molecular mechanism is involved because the role of PDE in adipogenesis is still controversial. Vinpocetine decreased adipogenic cell signaling, including the phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, JAK2, and STAT3, and adipokine secretion, including IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-α. Interestingly, vinpocetine increased the phosphorylation of HSL, suggesting the induction of the lipolysis pathway. Moreover, vinpocetine increased UCP1 expression via increasing cAMP and PKA phosphorylation. The administration of vinpocetine with a normal-chow diet (NFD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice attenuated body weight gain in mice fed both the NFD and HFD. These effects were larger in the HFD-fed mice, without a difference in food intake. Vinpocetine drastically decreased fat weight and adipocyte cell sizes in gonadal and inguinal white adipose tissues and in the liver in both diet groups. Serum triacylglycerol levels and fasting blood glucose levels were reduced by vinpocetine treatment. This study suggested that vinpocetine prevents adipocyte differentiation through the inhibition of adipogenesis-associated cell signaling in the early stages of adipogenesis. Moreover, upregulating cAMP levels leads to an increase in lipolysis and UCP1 expression and then inhibits lipid accumulation. Therefore, we suggest that vinpocetine could be an effective agent for treating obesity, as well as improving cognition and cardiovascular function in older individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Adipocytes / drug effects*
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipogenesis / drug effects*
  • Adipokines / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1 / genetics
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Lipolysis / drug effects*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Uncoupling Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Vinca Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Ucp1 protein, mouse
  • Uncoupling Protein 1
  • Vinca Alkaloids
  • vinpocetine
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1