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Comparison of Different Molecular Forms of Astaxanthin in Inhibiting Lipogenesis and its Mechanism
Yanqi Li1, Yaxuan Liu1, Yingying Tian2
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
Background:
Astaxanthin is a natural active substance with a plurality of biological activities, such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. However, there is less research on the effects of astaxanthin on obesity. Astaxanthin with different structural forms affect the corresponding biological activity.
Objective:
The study aimed to compare Astaxanthin-octanoic acid diester (C8-AST) and Free Astaxanthin (F-AST) to explore the effect on lipogenesis in vitro.
Methods:
3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured under astaxanthin treatment. Cell proliferation and differentiation were evaluated by MTT assay and oil red O staining, respectively. The synthesis of metabolic mechanism of intracellular fatty acids and triglycerides was examined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.
Results:
C8-AST and F-AST had no effect on adipocyte proliferation at low concentration, but inhibited adipocyte differentiation. The treatment of astaxanthin could inhibit the expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα and SREBP-1c in adipocytes, up-regulate the expression of Wnt10b, LRP6, FZ in Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway and increase the β-catenin entry into nucleus, suggesting that the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was involved in axtaxanthin-regulated lipogenesis. Notably, inhibition effect of lipogenesis on C8-AST was better than F-AST overall.
Conclusion:
At the cellular level, both two kinds of astaxanthins inhibit the synthesis of intracellular fatty acids and triglycerides. Notably, the inhibition effect of C8-AST is better than F-AST overall.
