Carob pod polyphenols suppress the differentiation of adipocytes through posttranscriptional regulation of C/EBPβ

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 8;16(3):e0248073. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248073. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Obesity is a major risk factor for various chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer; hence, there is an urgent need for an effective strategy to prevent this disorder. Currently, the anti-obesity effects of food ingredients are drawing attention. Therefore, we focused on carob, which has high antioxidant capacity and various physiological effects, and examined its anti-obesity effect. Carob is cultivated in the Mediterranean region, and its roasted powder is used as a substitute for cocoa powder. We investigated the effect of carob pod polyphenols (CPPs) on suppressing increases in adipose tissue weight and adipocyte hypertrophy in high fat diet-induced obesity model mice, and the mechanism by which CPPs inhibit the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes in vitro. In an in vivo experimental system, we revealed that CPPs significantly suppressed the increase in adipose tissue weight and adipocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, in an in vitro experimental system, CPPs acted at the early stage of differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and suppressed cell proliferation because of differentiation induction. They also suppressed the expression of transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation, thereby reducing triacylglycerol synthesis ability and triglycerol (TG) accumulation. Notably, CPPs regulated CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)β, which is expressed at the early stage of differentiation, at the posttranscriptional level. These results demonstrate that CPPs suppress the differentiation of adipocytes through the posttranscriptional regulation of C/EBPβ and may serve as an effective anti-obesity compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Fabaceae / chemistry*
  • Galactans / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mannans / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Plant Gums / chemistry*
  • Polyphenols / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology*

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta
  • Cebpb protein, mouse
  • Galactans
  • Mannans
  • Plant Gums
  • Polyphenols
  • locust bean gum

Grants and funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Number JP15K00832). KAKENHI aims to significantly develop all "academic research" from basic to applied (research based on the free thinking of researchers). TAISHO TECHNOS, Co., Ltd. provided the Carob pod polyphenols, a part of the grant, and support in the form of salary for T.S., but did not have any additional role in the study design data collection and analysis decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific role of T.S. is articulated in the “Author Contributions” section.