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Pingmu Decoction Induces Orbital Preadipocytes Apoptosis In Vitro
Yali Zhang1, Hong Li2, Long Gao2
1Department of Gastroenterology, Long Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Institute of Digestive Disease Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, South Wan Ping Road No. 725, Shanghai 200032, China.
Pingmu Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, inhibits fat cell development in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). It reduces orbital adipocyte accumulation by inducing apoptosis and downregulating key fat-producing genes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) involves orbital adipocyte accumulation.
- Pingmu Decoction is a Traditional Chinese Medicine used for GO treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which Pingmu Decoction inhibits preadipocyte differentiation in GO patients.
- To explore Pingmu Decoction's effect on apoptosis and adipogenic gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Human orbital preadipocytes were cultured and induced to differentiate.
- Cells were treated with rat serum containing Pingmu Decoction at varying doses.
- Cell viability, apoptosis, lipid accumulation, and gene expression (Fas, Fas L, PPARγ, C/EBPα) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Pingmu Decoction reduced preadipocyte viability and induced mature adipocyte apoptosis via the Fas/Fas L pathway.
- It decreased lipid accumulation and downregulated peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) expression.
Conclusions:
- Pingmu Decoction demonstrates a therapeutic effect in Graves' ophthalmopathy by inhibiting orbital adipocyte differentiation and accumulation.
- The mechanism involves inducing apoptosis and downregulating key adipogenic transcription factors.
