Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2007; 115 - P01_064
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-972320

Effects of resveratrol on human adipocyte biology

P Fischer-Posovszky 1, V Kukulus 1, A Killian 1, KM Debatin 2, M Wabitsch 1
  • 1Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Sektion Pädiatrische Endokrinologie, Ulm, Germany
  • 2Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Ulm, Germany

Objectives: Calorie restriction (CR) leads to retardation of the aging processes and to longer life in many organisms. The effect of CR can be mimicked by certain natural plant products, e.g. some flavonoids and most efficiently by resveratrol, a sirtuin activating compound, which is present in grapes and red wine. This intriguing finding raises the question whether simply taking a chemical would counteract all the bad effects of being overweight without changing eating habits. In this study, we have investigated the effects of resveratrol on human fat cell biology.

Methods: As a model system we have used human SGBS preadipocytes and adipocytes. Effect of resveratrol on proliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation, adipogenic differentiation was determined by morphological means. Apoptosis was studied by flow cytometry. In addition, de novo lipogenesis and effects gene expression were investigated.

Results: Resveratrol inhibits human preadipocyte proliferation. Under serum-free conditions, apoptosis of preadipocytes was induced, whereas no induction of apoptosis could be detected under serum-containing conditions. Adipogenic differentiation was inhibited by resveratrol in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Incubation with low doses of resveratrol resulted in suppression of de novo lipogenesis. In addition, incubation with resveratrol differentially influenced gene expression of adipocytokines. While expression of leptin and adiponectin was constant, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly down-regulated.

Conclusions: Taken together, our data show that resveratrol inhibits human preadipocyte proliferation, conversion into mature adipocytes, and de novo lipogenesis. Under special conditions, resveratrol induces apoptosis in human fat cells. In addition, it inhibits production of cytokines which are involved in the development of obesity-related disorders.

These data suggest that resveratrol might exert effects on adipocyte biology in vivo which could result in a reduction of adipose tissue size and positive changes in adipocytes secretion profile.