Abstract
Objective
Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a food compound that has previously been observed to be protective
against obesity and hyperglycemia in mouse models. In this study, we aimed to elucidate
the mechanisms behind this protective effect by assessing the cell-autonomous response
of primary adipocytes to CA treatment.
Methods
Primary murine adipocytes were treated with CA and thermogenic and metabolic responses
were assessed after both acute and chronic treatments. Human adipose stem cells were
differentiated and treated with CA to assess whether the CA-mediated signaling is
conserved in humans.
Results
CA significantly activated PKA signaling, increased expression levels of thermogenic
genes and induced phosphorylation of HSL and PLIN1 in murine primary adipocytes. Inhibition
of PKA or p38 MAPK enzymatic activity markedly inhibited the CA-induced thermogenic
response. In addition, chronic CA treatment regulates metabolic reprogramming, which
was partially diminished in FGF21KO adipocytes. Importantly, both acute and chronic
effects of CA were observed in human adipose stem cells isolated from multiple donors
of different ethnicities and ages and with a variety of body mass indexes (BMI).
Conclusions
CA activates thermogenic and metabolic responses in mouse and human primary subcutaneous
adipocytes in a cell-autonomous manner, giving a mechanistic explanation for the anti-obesity
effects of CA observed previously and further supporting its potential metabolic benefits
on humans. Given the wide usage of cinnamon in the food industry, the notion that
this popular food additive, instead of a drug, may activate thermogenesis, could ultimately
lead to therapeutic strategies against obesity that are much better adhered to by
participants.
Abbreviations:
CA (Cinnamaldehyde), hASC (human adipose stem cell), BMI (Body mass index), ROS (Reactive oxygen species)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 30, 2017
Accepted:
August 15,
2017
Received:
March 20,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
