Sorbitol has no significant effects on 3T3-L1 -adipogenesis and adiponectin synthesis and secretion

Abstract

Abstract

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol, widely used as a low-calorie sweetener.  It has been shown that sorbitol has no effects on blood glucose.  Decreased plasma adiponectin, secreted by adipocytes in adipose tissues, is associated with insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.  The research objectives were to determine if sorbitol would affect adipogenesis of pre-adipocytes and adiponectin production from mature adipocytes.  Adipogenesis was assessed by measuring fat accumulations in mature adipocytes by using Oil Red O staining.  Adiponectin production was determined by using SDS-polyacrylaminde gel electrophoresis and Western blot technique.  Pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells were used as a model of study.  First, adipogenesis of pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells was induced in the absence and presence of sorbitol.  It was found that adipogenesis was not significantly changed by sorbitol.  Next, mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with sorbitol for 24 and 48 hours, and adiponectin in the adipocyte lysates and the culture media was determined to assess adiponectin synthesis and secretion.  It was observed that sorbitol did not affect adiponectin synthesis and secretion from the mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes.  Our results reveal that sorbitol does not directly affect 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis and adiponectin production.

Keywords: 3T3-L1 cells; adipocyte; adipogenesis; adiponectin; sorbitol; sweetener.