Effects of (+)-catechin on the differentiation and lipid metabolism of 3T3-L1 adipocytes

[Display omitted] •(+)-catechins inhibits 3T3-L1 differentiation via C/EBPs/PPARγ/SREBP1C pathways.•(+)-catechins promote the lipid decomposition by regulating the cAMP/PKA pathways.•(+)-catechins could achieve the dual-effect of preventing obesity and reducing fat. Catechins are highly bioactive tea flavanols, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. This study follows recent attempts to discover and evaluate anti-obesity agents occurring in food materials, with the focus on the effects of (+)-catechin on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in mature adipocytes. The results showed that (+)-catechin treatments remarkably inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and lipid decomposition of mature adipocytes. On the molecular level, (+)-catechin reduced the expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ and affected the transcription level of downstream functional genes (FAS) during differentiation of preadipocytes. Furthermore, (+)-catechin intervened lipid decomposition through the classic cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, not only reducing the expression of HSL, ATGL and PLIN, but also lowering the phosphorylation level of HSL during lipid decomposition of mature adipocytes. In summary, (+)-catechin had strong anti-differentiation and anti-adipogenesis effects on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mature adipocytes, via regulating the C/EBPs/PPARγ/SREBP1C and cAMP/PKA signaling pathways, respectively.