The effect of sacha inchi oil on intracellular lipid accumulation and insulin senstivity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Name: Kotchankorn Daikan

keyword: Obesity

; Normal 3T3-L1 adipocytes

; Diabetic 3T3-L1 adipocytes

; Sacha inchi oil

Abstract: Obesity is a condition of excessive body fat that increases the risk of metabolic diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, obesity is the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. It is caused by increasing adipose tissue mass via the excessive number of adipocytes (hyperplasia) and adipocyte size (hypertrophy), leading to hypoxia and consequently an upregulation of pro-inflammatory (such as TNF-α) responses that lead to insulin resistance, which is one of the key factors in triggering type 2 diabetes. Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil (SIO) is a native plant of the Amazon rainforest in South America and is becoming an economic crop in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand. It contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, resulting in lowering the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids to 1:1; it has been reported that omega-3 fatty acids may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and anti-inflammation. In addition, previous studies found that SIO contained some phytochemicals, such as phytosterols (b-sitosterol, polyphenol (flavonoid (e.g., apigenin and luteolin), carotenoids, and terpenoid (limonene), which affected lipid content. It has also been shown that SIO had an anti-inflammatory and decreased serum triglyceride levels. However, the effects of SIO on obesity are not clear currently. This in vitro study aimed to investigate the effect of SIO on intracellular lipid accumulation, cellular insulin sensitivity, and the underlying mechanisms by determining the expression of adipogenic and insulin-mediated genes and proteins in both normal and diabetic 3T3-L1 adipocyte models. In the present study, fish oil (FO) was used as a positive control due to it containing a high omega-3 contents. Firstly, the cytotoxicity measurement of 3T3-L1 of adipocytes treated with SIO was examined using the MTT assay. Afterward, the effects of SIO on intracellular lipid contents and glucose uptake in both normal and diabetic 3T3-L1 adipocytes by using Oil Red O staining and the 2-NBDG assay, respectively. The triglyceride levels in normal 3T3-L1 adipocytes were also measured by using a triglyceride assay kit. In addition, the underlying mechanisms by determining the expression of adipogenesis and insulin-mediated genes and proteins in both normal and diabetic 3T3-L1 adipocyte models by using the qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. The result showed that SIO at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/ml was not toxic to the cells. The results, in both normal and diabetic 3T3-L1 adipocyte models, revealed SIO reduced lipid contents and glucose uptake through the downregulation of the expression of adipogenesis (PPARg, C/EBPa, SREBP-1c, and FAS) and insulin-mediated (IRS-1) genes and proteins, respectively, greater than FO. These results suggest that the SIO which contains high content of omega-3 fatty acids and other phytochemical compositions may have synergistic effects to affect cellular lipid contents and glucose uptake. Moreover, SIO also increased the expression of adiponectin, an insulinsensitizing adipocyte-derived protein. These results suggest that SIO may have beneficial effects in the prevention or treatment of obesity and obese diabetics.

NARESUAN UNIVERSITY. NARESUAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Address: PHITSANULOK

Email: library@nu.ac.th

Name: Tantip Boonsong,

Role: Advisor

Name: Wanthanee Hanchang

Role: Co-Advisor

Created: 2022

Modified: 2026-03-29

Issued: 2026-03-29

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

eng

DegreeName: Master of Science

Level: Master's degree

Descipline: Biochemistry

Grantor: Naresuan University

©copyrights Naresuan University

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