Promotion of adipogenesis by 15-(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

Excess adipogenesis is a characteristic of obesity, which is associated with serious health problem, including type 2 diabetes. Here, to better understand the mechanisms for the development of adipocytes, we investigated the regulatory role of 15-(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE) in adipogenesis by treating 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) with 15(S)-HETE. In the 3T3-L1 study, 15(S)-HETE stimulated lipid accumulation and enhanced expression of adipogenic markers such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), yet reduced the activity of factor negatively controlling adipogenesis, such as the 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase. In the early stage of adipogenesis, 15(S)-HETE increased activation of protein kinase B and expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)β and C/EBPδ. Finally, 15(S)-HETE promoted adipogenesis in hBMSCs, and resulted in increased lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic markers. In conclusion, 15(S)-HETE functions as a natural PPARγ agonist and enhances adipogenesis. Our findings may provide the basis for the development of novel therapeutic measures to treat obesity.