Curcumin Inhibits Adipogenesis Elicited by Clozapine in 3T3-L1 Cells

Abstract

Although clozapine (CZP), which is used for schizophrenia treatment, causes weight gain, the mechanism remains unclear. We recently reported that the naturally occurring compound curcumin (CUR) suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The aims of the present study were to determine the mechanism by which CZP induces adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, and whether CUR reduces CZP-induced adipogenesis. We found that cells grown in the presence of CZP had significantly higher triacylglycerol levels, numbers of lipid-filled adipocytes, and mRNA expression levels of CCAAT-enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) than those grown without CZP. Treatment with CZP plus CUR resulted in major reductions in these four parameters. These results suggest that CZP enhances adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells via the C/EBPα-PPARγ pathway and that by interrupting CZP's effects, CUR might be a potent agent for preventing CZP-induced weight gain.