Heat stimulation reduces early adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

In this study, we used 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as a model to investigate the effects of heat stimulation on adipogenesis, which is a key process in the development of obesity. Heat stimulation at 43°C for 60 min significantly reduced lipid accumulation, as measured by Oil Red-O assay. In the early phase of adipogenesis, heat stimulation almost completely blocked the increase of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPdelta) gene expression and delayed the onset of the increase of C/EBPbeta gene expression. The expression of proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), which is regulated by these factors, was also reduced. In the later phase of adipogenesis, the induction of adipocyte-specific genes, such as C/EBPalpha, adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), adiponectin, and glucose transporter 4 (Glut4), which are regulated by PPARgamma, was reduced. However, adipogenesis was not significantly reduced if heat stimulation was carried out after the early phase of adipogenesis. These results suggest that heat stimulation reduces adipogenesis by decreasing the expression of adipogenesis-related transcriptional factors during early adipogenesis.