The inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus sakei KBL isolated from kimchi on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells

Abnormal adipocyte growth, in terms of increased cell numbers and increased cell differentiation, is considered to be a major pathological feature of obesity. Thus, the inhibition of preadipocyte mitogenesis and differentiation could help prevent and suppress obesity. Some probiotics and cellular components are known to modulate the lipid metabolism in vitro and/or in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate whether extracts from Lactobacillus sakei KBL cells isolated from kimchi could exert anti-adipogenic action in 3T3-L1 cells (fat cells). Differentiating 3T3-L1 cells were treated with L. sakei KBL cell extracts ( L. sakei KBL_CE), and cell viability was assessed by MTT assays. At concentrations below 1 mg/ml, L. sakei KBL_CE did not exert any cytotoxic effect in 3T3-L1 cells. Lipid regulation in the cell culture system was assessed by morphological analysis and oil-red-O staining of fat. Treatment with L. sakei KBL_CE significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation. L. sakei KBL_CE treatment (1 mg/ml) also reduced lipid accumulation by 25% in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These findings collectively indicate that L. sakei KBL_CE can reduce fat mass by modulating adipogenesis in maturing preadipocytes. Key words : Lactobacillus sakei KBL, 3T3-L1 cells, adipocyte differentiation, obesity.