Methotrexate enhances 3T3-L1 adipocytes hypertrophy

Methotrexate (MTX) is broadly used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MeS) in patients with this condition is relatively high. Given the importance of adipose tissue in the development of obesity metabolic complications, this study aimed to investigate the effect of methotrexate on preadipocyte proliferation, adipogenesis, and glucose uptake by adipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes proliferation was evaluated by sulforhodamine B staining and 3H-thymidine incorporation, after 24 or 48 h of treatment with MTX (0.1 and 10 μM). Preadipocytes were induced to differentiate with an appropriate adipogenic cocktail in the presence or absence of MTX. Adipogenesis was determined by measuring lipid accumulation after staining with oil red O. 3H-Deoxyglucose (3H-DG) uptake was determined by liquid scintillation counting. MTX treatment reduced culture protein content in a concentration-dependent manner and 3H-thymidine incorporation (P < 0.05). MTX (0.1 μM) treatment increased lipid accumulation and basal 3H-DG uptake by adipocytes (P < 0.05). In 0.1 μM MTX-treated adipocytes, insulin stimulation did not result in an increase of 3H-DG uptake, contrarily to what was observed in control cells. These results demonstrate that methotrexate interferes with adipocyte proliferation and promotes the hypertrophic growth of adipocytes. These molecular effects may have implications on metabolic profile of RA patients treated with MTX.