Piperonal prevents high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in mice via activation of adiponectin/AMPK pathway.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Piperonal is an important flavor additive with antibacterial and anxiolytic properties. We investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of piperonal protection against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance.

METHODS:

C57BL/6 J mice were fed with a normal diet (ND; based on the AIN-76 rodent diet), HFD (20% fat and 1% cholesterol), or piperonal-supplemented diet (POD; HFD supplemented with 0.05% piperonal) for 10 weeks.

RESULTS:

Piperonal supplementation reduced hepatic lipid concentrations, liver dysfunction and plasma levels of insulin and glucose in HFD-fed mice. Piperonal significantly enhanced mRNA expression and secretion of adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Dietary piperonal significantly increased circulating adiponectin levels and hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in HFD-fed mice; these were associated with the suppression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c and activation of glucose transporter-2 translocation in the livers. Piperonal also significantly reduced the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers in the livers of HFD-fed mice.

CONCLUSIONS:

Piperonal may activate the adiponectin/AMPK pathway in the livers of mice. The activated adiponectin/AMPK axis may inhibit p70S6 kinase signaling and the ER stress response, with protective effects on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance.

• Authors: X Li, Y Choi, Y Yanakawa, T Park
• Journal: International journal of obesity (2005) (Int J Obes (Lond)) Vol. 38 Issue 1 Pg. 140-7 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1476-5497 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23711775 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adiponectin
• Benzaldehydes
• Benzodioxoles
• Flavoring Agents
• RNA, Messenger
• AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
• piperonal

Topics

• AMP-Activated Protein Kinases (drug effects, metabolism)
• Adiponectin (metabolism)
• Animals
• Benzaldehydes (pharmacology)
• Benzodioxoles (pharmacology)
• Blotting, Western
• Diet, High-Fat
• Fatty Liver (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Flavoring Agents (pharmacology)
• Insulin Resistance
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (drug effects)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• RNA, Messenger
• Signal Transduction