Pycnogenol supplementation promotes lipolysis via activation of cAMP-dependent PKA in ob/ob mice and primary-cultured adipocytes

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2014;60(6):429-35. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.60.429.

Abstract

This study investigated the PKA-dependent inhibitory effect of pycnogenol (Pyc) on lipolysis using ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes. Supplementation of Pyc at 30 mg/kg significantly reduced body weight gain and visceral fat mass. The serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were reduced by Pyc supplementation, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level significantly increased. In addition, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) mRNA levels increased with Pyc supplementation in adipose tissue of ob/ob mice. The treatment of primary cultured adipocytes with Pyc at 100 μg/mL significantly increased glycerol release, cAMP level by reduction of phosphodiestersae-3B (PDE3B), and HSL levels, but decreased protein levels of perilipin A and fatty acid synthetase (FAS). The PKA inhibitor (H89) clearly blocked the cellular levels of perilipin A and HSL, suggesting that Pyc promotes lipolysis of adipocytes through activation of cAMP-dependent PKA, resulting in induction of HSL and reduction of perilipin A. Therefore, this study may elucidate the possible mechanism of Pyc, which is a candidate for weight loss through stimulation of lipolysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / drug effects*
  • Adipocytes / enzymology
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3 / genetics
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3 / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fatty Acid Synthases / genetics
  • Fatty Acid Synthases / metabolism
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Glycerol / metabolism
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / drug effects
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / metabolism
  • Lipolysis / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Obese
  • Perilipin-1
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sterol Esterase / genetics
  • Sterol Esterase / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Weight Gain

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Flavonoids
  • Perilipin-1
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Triglycerides
  • pycnogenols
  • Cholesterol
  • Fatty Acid Synthases
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Sterol Esterase
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3
  • Pde3b protein, mouse
  • Glycerol