Suppression of adipogenesis in mouse mesenchymal stem cells by imipramine

Imipramine (IM) has been widely used in clinics for the treatment of some mental diseases. The understanding of its role in other tissues or organs will be beneficial for its better clinical use. Here, it is shown that IM suppresses the adipogenic differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The accumulation of intracellular, Oil red O-stained lipid droplets was inhibited by IM in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that after IM loading, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) decreased, demonstrating that the suppression of IM on MSC adipogenesis is at least partially mediated by the PPARγ2 pathway. These findings suggest that, in appropriate doses, the conventional antidepressive (IM) may exert inhibitory effect on adipocyte formation.