Grape-seed derived procyanidins interfere with adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells at the onset of differentiation

OBJECTIVE: Our group's previous results on the effects of a grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) on adipose metabolism showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- γ (PPAR γ ) plays a central role in the lipolytic effects of GSPE on adipocytes. Since PPAR γ 2 is a main regulator of the differentiation process of adipocytes, we investigated whether GSPE affects the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. DESIGN: We performed a time point screening by treating 3T3-L1 cells with GSPE during the differentiation process for 24 h. MEASUREMENTS: Differentiation markers and differential gene expression due to GSPE treatment (using the microarray technique). RESULTS: Twenty four hour-GSPE treatment at the onset of differentiation reduces adipose-specific markers and maintains the expression of preadipocyte marker preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) significantly elevated. These effects were not found in other time points. Microarray analysis of gene expression after GSPE treatment at the early stage of differentiation showed a modified gene expression profile in which cell cycle and growth-related genes were downregulated by GSPE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GSPE affects adipogenesis, mainly at the induction of differentiation, and that procyanidins may have a new role in which they impede the formation of adipose cells.