Berberine exerts anti-adipogenic activity through up-regulation of C/EBP inhibitors, CHOP and DEC2

Tang

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

et al. 2014

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is becoming increasingly important in the effort to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying adipogenesis. However, the expression profile of a target gene may be misinterpreted due to the unstable expression of the reference genes under different experimental conditions. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the expression stability of 10 commonly used reference genes during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. The mRNA expression levels of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and transferrin receptor (TFRC) significantly increased during the course of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, which was decreased by berberine, an inhibitor of adipogenesis. Three popular algorithms, GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper, identified 18 ribosomal RNA and hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) as the most stable reference genes, while GAPDH and TFRC were the least stable ones. Peptidylprolyl isomerase A [PIPA (cyclophilin A)], ribosomal protein, large, P0 (36-B4), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), α1-tubulin, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) and β-actin showed relatively stable expression levels. The choice of reference genes with various expression stabilities exerted a profound influence on the expression profiles of 2 target genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ2 and C/EBPα. In addition, western blot analysis revealed that the increased protein expression of GAPDH was markedly inhibited by berberine during adipocyte differentiation. This study highlights the importance of selecting suitable reference genes for qRT-PCR studies of gene expression during the process of adipogenesis.

Section: Expression Levels Of Target Gene Influenced By the Selectionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Identification of suitable reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation

Tang

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

et al. 2014

“…To the best of our knowledge this is the first study of berberine effect on life- and health-span in Drosophila . Although berberine possesses a wide range of therapeutic effects related to AAMPD (antidepressant, [12] anti-inflammatory, [13] anti-diabetic, [14] anti-adi-pogenic [15] and anti-tumorigenic [16]) its effect on life span has never been studied. The only mention of berberine effect on life span was the berberine-induced elevation the life span of leukemia harboring BALB/c mice [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Berberine Prolongs Life Span and Stimulates Locomotor Activity of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>

Navrotskaya¹,

Oxenkrug

Vorobyova³

et al. 2012

AJPS

Drosophila melanogaster mutants with deficient kynurenine (KYN) formation from tryptophan (TRP) have longer life span than wild type flies. Administration of alpha-methyl-TRP and 5-methyl-TRY, the inhibitors of TRP-KYN metabolism, prolonged life span in wild-type flies. Both inhibitors are not available for human use. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Berberis aristata, is known as the herb widely used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Berberin is a strong inhibitor of the enzyme catalyzing TRP conversion into KYN. Considering this particular feature we investigated the effect of berberine on life- and health-span in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster. The results of our study showed that Berberine extended mean, median and maximum life span of female flies. Berberine did not affect the number of pupae of filial generation and decreased their lethality. Berberine increased locomotor activity (vertical climbing). The results of the study suggest that berberine prolongs life- and improves health-span of Drosophila melanogaster. Berberine might be a candidate drug for prevention and treatment of aging and aging-associated medical and psychiatric disorders.

“…It may differ from the final official version of record. and at the same time down-modulated C/EBPα via up-regulation of expression of two different sets of C/EBP inhibitors, C/EBP homologous protein and basic helix-loop-helix family, member e41 (Pham et al 2011). Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration through activated AMPK might also play a role in its inhibitory effect on adipogenesis (Huang et al 2006;Turner et al 2008).…”

Section: Page 8 Of 39mentioning

confidence: 96%

Berberine as a therapy for type 2 diabetes and its complications: From mechanism of action to clinical studies

Chang

Chen

Hatch

2015

Biochem. Cell Biol.

123

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide, and the development of novel anti-diabetic drugs is emerging. However, most anti-diabetic drugs cannot be used in patients with hepatic dysfunction, renal disease, and heart disease, which makes pharmacological therapy of type 2 diabetes complicated. Despite continued introduction of novel agents, the search for an ideal drug that is useful as both a hypoglycemic agent and to reduce diabetes-related complications remains elusive. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid extract that has shown promise as a hypoglycemic agent in the management of diabetes in animal and human studies. Mechanistic studies have revealed beneficial effects of berberine on diabetes-related complications. Although there have been few clinical reports of the anti-diabetic effects of berberine, little documentation of adverse effects in humans positions it as a potential candidate drug to treat type 2 diabetes. In the present review, the anti-diabetic mechanism of berberine, its effect on diabetes-related complications, and its recent use in human clinical studies is highlighted. In addition, we summarize the different treatments for type 2 diabetes in adults and children.