1,2-vinyldithiin from garlic inhibits differentiation and inflammation of human preadipocytes

Obesity is a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. Limiting white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion and therefore reducing inflammation could be effective in preventing the progression of obesity and the development of associated complications. We investigated the effects of 1,2-vinyldithiin (1,2-DT), a garlic-derived organosulfur, on the differentiation and inflammatory state of human preadipocytes. Preadipocytes were prepared from subcutaneous adipose tissue of nonobese young women and differentiated in the presence of 1,2-DT. Inflammatory preadipocytes were obtained following treatment with human macrophage-secreted factors. 1,2-DT (100 micromol/L) significantly reduced gene expression of PPARgamma2 (-40%), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha (-25%), lipoprotein lipase (-22%), leptin (-30%), and adiponectin (-15%). Lipid accumulation was also significantly diminished in preadipocytes differentiated in the presence of 100 micromol/L 1,2-DT (-37%) compared with controls. Furthermore, 100 micromol/L 1,2-DT treatment for 10 d significantly reduced PPARgamma activity (-27%). The protein expression of perilipin and the secretion levels for 2 adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, were significantly diminished in 1,2-DT-cultured preadipocytes (-37, -51, and -43%, respectively). Moreover, the secretion of inflammatory molecules (interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) induced by macrophage-secreted factors was partially abolished in 100 micromol/L 1,2-DT-treated preadipocytes (-28 and -25%, respectively). In conclusion, we demonstrated that 1,2-DT, a garlic-derived organosulfur, has antiadipogenic and antiinflammatory actions on human preadipocytes and may be a novel, antiobesity nutraceutical.