Genistein and daidzein repress adipogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells <i>via</i> Wnt/β‐catenin signalling or lipolysis

Abstract

Genistein and daidzein suppressed adipogenic differentiation of AD-MSCs in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited expression of adipogenic markers, PPARγ, SREBP-1c and Glut 4, from mid-phase differentiation. Microarrays showed that anti-adipogenic effects of genistein were principally attributable to activation of Wnt signalling via ERs-dependent pathway, such as Erk/JNK signalling and LEF/TCF4 co-activators. These findings were supported by evidence that the effects of genistein were offset by ICI182,780. Unlike genistein, daidzein inhibited adipogenesis through stimulation of lipolysis, with for example, PKA-mediated hormone sensitive lipase. This is consistent with the increase in glycerol released from AD-MSCs. In conclusion, understanding that different sets of mechanisms of the two isoflavones on adipogenesis will help the design of novel strategies to prevent observed current epidemic levels of obesity, using isoflavones.