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Effects of aqueous cinnamon extract on 3T3‐L1 cell size, lipid volume and lipase activity
Author(s) -
Stockert Amy,
Newstead Sabrina,
Freeh Ellen,
Stephan Megan,
Aulthouse Amy
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.851.14
Subject(s) - lipid droplet , monolayer , chemistry , lipid metabolism , adipocyte , oil red o , cell size , adipogenesis , 3t3 l1 , biochemistry , food science , biophysics , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , adipose tissue
Extracts of cinnamon have long been used medicinally and recent research has solidified its use for controlling blood glucose levels. The correlation between type 2 diabetes and obesity make research in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism essential. We utilized the 3T3‐L1 cells as a model to examine degrees of differentiation to mature adipocytes by examining lipid droplet accumulation at 0, 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours post treatment. Lipids from microdroplets were exchanged with oil red O as a marker of adipogenesis, and where appropriate the lipid volume was estimated and assayed. Culture periods were extended up to two weeks to reach mature adipocytes. A reduction is cell size was observed in both monolayer and three‐dimensional culture, but the size changes appear more significant were grown in three‐dimensional culture. Cinnamon treated cells appear to have more lipid droplet accumulation, yet the lipid volume did not correlate directly with the reduction in cell size, suggesting a true change in metabolic signaling rather than an osmotic contraction. In three‐dimensional culture, there was an obvious cluster of lipid droplets, yet in monolayer this was not as obvious due to the single layer of cells. Monolayer cells were counted in each quadrant of the culture to determine the percent of cells that had rounded morphology compared to those that remained flat and fibroblast‐like. Of the rounded cells, the portion containing at least 50% space fill with lipid droplets were considered adipogenic. In monolayer, estimate of lipid droplet volume was not reliable and a quantitation of extracted dye was necessary. Culture treatments were repeated in duplicate leaving one culture unfixed to allow assay of lipase activity.