Isoimperatorin enhances 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation by regulating PPARγ and C/EBPα through the Akt signaling pathway

Lipodystrophic patients have an adipose tissue triglyceride storage defect that causes ectopic lipid accumulation, leading to severe insulin resistance. The present study investigated the potential role of isoimperatorin on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. mRNA and protein levels of differentiation- and lipid accumulation-associated genes, as well as the adipogenesis-related signaling pathway were analyzed in control and isoimperatorin-treated differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. Results determined that isoimperatorin promoted 3T3-L1 fibroblast adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner compared with standard differentiation inducers. Isoimperatorin significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of the crucial adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα). mRNA expression of the downstream adipogenesis-related genes sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1c, adipocyte protein 2, fatty acid synthase, adiponectin and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 were also significantly increased following isoimperatorin treatment. The underlying mechanism likely involved activation of the Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, the present findings indicated that isoimperatorin may alter PPARγ and C/EBPα expression via the Akt signaling pathway, resulting in promotion of adipogenesis. The results highlighted the potential use of isoimperatorin as a therapeutic agent for preventing diabetes.