Authors:
Parray HA, Yun JW
Abstract:
Recruitment of the brown-like phenotype in white adipocytes (browning)
and activation of existing brown adipocytes are currently being
investigated as a means to combat obesity. Thus, a wide variety of
dietary agents that contribute to browning of white adipocytes have been
identified. The present study was designed to investigate the effects
of cannabidiol (CBD), a major nonpsychotropic phytocannabinoid of
Cannabis sativa, on induction of browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CBD
enhanced expression of a core set of brown fat-specific marker genes
(Ucp1, Cited1, Tmem26, Prdm16, Cidea, Tbx1, Fgf21, and Pgc-1α) and
proteins (UCP1, PRDM16, and PGC-1α). Increased expression of UCP1 and
other brown fat-specific markers contributed to the browning of 3T3-L1
adipocytes possibly via activation of PPARγ and PI3K. In addition, CBD
increased protein expression levels of CPT1, ACSL, SIRT1, and PLIN while
down-regulating JNK2, SREBP1, and LPL. These data suggest possible
roles for CBD in browning of white adipocytes, augmentation of
lipolysis, thermogenesis, and reduction of lipogenesis. In conclusion,
the current data suggest that CBD plays dual modulatory roles in the
form of inducing the brown-like phenotype as well as promoting lipid
metabolism. Thus, CBD may be explored as a potentially promising
therapeutic agent for the prevention of obesity.