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Inhibition of STAT3 enhances UCP1 expression and mitochondrial function in brown adipocytes

Lini Song1, Xi Cao1, Wenyi Ji1

  • 1Beijing Diabetes Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diabetes Research and Care, Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.

European Journal of Pharmacology
|May 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Nifuroxazide (NFX) enhances brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis by blocking the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) pathway. This promotes fat breakdown and mitochondrial respiration, offering a potential strategy against obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Metabolic research
  • Adipose tissue biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass and activity are linked to obesity prevention.
  • The Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway influences adipocyte development.
  • The role of JAK/STAT signaling in mature brown adipocyte thermogenesis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Nifuroxazide (NFX), a STAT3 inhibitor, on the thermogenic properties of mature brown adipocytes.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of NFX action in brown adipocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of mature brown adipocytes with Nifuroxazide (NFX).
  • Assessment of lipolysis, gene/protein expression (ACCα, FAS, ATGL, pHSL, thermogenic factors, mitochondrial content).
  • Analysis of inflammatory signaling pathways (STAT3, NF-κB, IL-6, TNFα).

Main Results:

  • NFX induced lipolysis, decreasing ACCα and FAS while increasing ATGL and pHSL levels.
  • NFX promoted mitochondrial respiration and increased thermogenic gene/protein expression.
  • NFX suppressed the STAT3/NF-κB/IL-6 pathway, counteracting inflammatory inhibition of brown thermogenic programming.

Conclusions:

  • Blocking the JAK/STAT3 pathway with NFX exerts a pro-thermogenic effect on mature brown adipocytes.
  • NFX demonstrates potential for repurposing as a therapeutic agent against obesity and metabolic disorders.
Keywords:
Adipocytes differentiationJAK/STAT3 pathwayMature brown adipocytesNifuroxazide

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