Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Isolation of Adipogenic and Fibro-Inflammatory Stromal Cell Subpopulations from Murine Intra-Abdominal Adipose Depots
Published on: August 16, 2020
Dietary olive oil induces cannabinoid CB2 receptor expression in adipose tissue of ApcMin/+ transgenic mice
Maria Notarnicola1, Valeria Tutino1, Angela Tafaro2
1Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases "S. de Bellis" , Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid- 2 (CB2) receptor is known for its anti-obesity effects silencing the activated immune cells that are key drivers of metabolic syndrome and inflammation. Nutritional interventions in experimental models of carcinogenesis have been demonstrated to modulate tissue inflammation state and proliferation. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to test, in ApcMin/+ mice, whether a diet enriched with olive oil, omega- 3 and omega-6- PUFAs affects the adipose tissue inflammation status. METHODS: Four groups of animal were studied: ST group, receiving a standard diet; OO group, receiving the standard diet in which soybean oil (source of fats) was replaced with olive oil; OM-3 group, receiving the standard diet in which soybean oil was replaced with salmon oil; OM-6 group, receiving the standard diet in which soybean oil was replaced with oenothera oil. Gene and protein expression, in adipose tissue, were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western Blotting, respectively. Enzymatic activities were assayed by fluorescent and radiometric method, where appropriated. RESULTS: The diet enriched with olive oil significantly induced CB2 receptor expression and it was able to control inflammatory and proliferative activity of mice adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings open opportunities for developing novel nutritional strategies considering olive oil a key ingredient of a healthy dietary pattern.
Insights
Olive oil-enriched diets significantly increase Cannabinoid-2 (CB2) receptor expression, reducing inflammation and proliferation in mouse adipose tissue. This suggests olive oil
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cannabinoid-2 (CB2) receptor plays a role in anti-obesity effects by modulating immune cells involved in metabolic syndrome and inflammation.
- Nutritional interventions can influence tissue inflammation and proliferation in experimental carcinogenesis models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of diets enriched with specific fatty acids on adipose tissue inflammation in ApcMin/+ mice.
- To evaluate the effects of olive oil, omega-3, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on adipose tissue inflammatory status.
Main Methods:
- Four groups of ApcMin/+ mice were fed standard, olive oil-enriched, salmon oil-enriched, or oenothera oil-enriched diets.
- Gene and protein expression in adipose tissue were analyzed using RT-PCR and Western Blotting.
- Enzymatic activities were measured using fluorescent and radiometric assays.
Main Results:
- A diet enriched with olive oil significantly upregulated CB2 receptor expression in adipose tissue.
- The olive oil-enriched diet effectively controlled inflammatory and proliferative activities within the adipose tissue.
- No significant effects were noted for omega-3 or omega-6 enriched diets on these parameters.
Conclusions:
- Olive oil consumption can enhance CB2 receptor expression, offering a potential mechanism for controlling adipose tissue inflammation.
- These findings support the development of nutritional strategies incorporating olive oil for managing metabolic health.
- Further research into specific PUFAs and their impact on CB2 receptor pathways is warranted.

