Role of 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 in Adipogenesis of SGBS Cells: New Insights into Human Preadipocyte Proliferation

Background/Aims:Compared with non-obese individuals, obese individuals commonly store more vitamin D in adipose tissue. VDR expression in adipose tissue can influence adipogenesis and is therefore a target pathway deserving further study. This study aims to assess the role of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 in human preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. Methods: RTCA, MTT, and trypan blue assays were used to assess the effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 on the viability, proliferation, and adipogenic differentiation of SGBS cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis analyses were performed with flow cytometry, triglycerides were quantified, and RT-q PCR was used to assess gene expression. Results: We confirmed that the SGBS cell model is suitable for studying adipogenesis and demonstrated that the differentiation protocol induces cell maturation, thereby increasing the lipid content of cells independently of treatment. 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 treatment had different effects according to the cell stage, indicating different modes of action driving proliferation and differentiation. In preadipocytes, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 induced G1 growth arrest at both tested concentrations without altering CDKN1A gene expression. Treatment with 100 nM 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 also decreased MTT absorbance and the lipid concentration. Moreover, increased normalized cell index values and decreased metabolic activity were not induced by proliferation or apoptosis. Exposure to 100 nM 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 induced VDR, CEBPA, and CEBPB expression, even in the preadipocyte stage. During adipogenesis, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 had limited effects on processes such as VDR and PPARG gene expression, but it upregulated CEBPA expression. Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 induces changes in preadipocytes, including VDR expression and growth arrest, and increases the lipid content in adipocytes treated for 16 days. Preadipocytes are important cells in adipose tissue homeostasis, and understanding the role of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 in adipogenesis is a crucial step in ensuring adequate ...