Studies have shown that polyphenols reduce the risk of inflammation-related diseases and upregulates energy expenditure in adipose tissue. Here, we investigated the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory and antiobesity effects of almond skin polyphenol extract (ASP) in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The antioxidant effects of ASP were measured based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with ASP. Subsequently, lipolysis proteins and transcription factors of adipogenesis were measured. The proinflammatory mediators monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and chemokine ligand 5 (CCL-5) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that ASP significantly promoted phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), increased activity of adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, and inhibited adipogenesis-related transcription factors. In addition, ASP inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced cell inflammatory response via downregulation of MCP-1 and CCL-5 secretion. This study suggests that ASP regulates lipolysis through activation of AMPK, reduced adipogenesis, and suppresses proinflammatory cytokines in adipocytes.
Keywords: 3T3-L1 adipocyte; adipogenesis; almond skin polyphenol extract; lipolysis; proinflammatory mediators.