Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A014
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A014 (2025)
Effect of flavonoid compound – baicalein on lipolysis in mature rat adipocytes
Klaudia Konieczna1*, Katarzyna Szkudelska1, Tomasz Szkudelski1
1 Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Biostructure, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
* Corresponding author: klaudia.konieczna@up.poznan.pl
Abstract
Obesity is currently one of the most common metabolic diseases of the 21st century, contributing to the development of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, degenerative joint diseases, and some cancers. Bioactive plant compounds are increasingly seen as potential therapeutics in the prevention and alleviation of metabolic disorders. Substances belonging to the group of polyphenolic compounds, including genistein, resveratrol, quercetin, and many others, beneficially regulate metabolism, and their antidiabetic properties have been demonstrated in animal experiments. Baicalein (B) is a polyphenol found in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis. It has been proven that in mouse fat cells (adipocytes) derived from the 3T3-L1 B line, it inhibited lipid accumulation, but only during the early stages of adipogenesis. However, there is no literature data confirming a similar effect in mature adipocytes. The aim of our studies was to determine the short-term effect of B on lipolysis in primary mature rat adipocytes and to explain the mechanism of its action. In the experiment, adipose tissue was collected from male Wistar rats weighing 280–300 g. Adipocytes were isolated according to the method described by Rodbell, and then incubated with stimulants, as well as inhibitors regulating the process at different stages of the lipolytic cascade (stimulants: adrenalin, db-cAMP, DPCPX, forskolin; inhibitors: insulin and H89. The measure of lipolysis was the concentration of glycerol released from adipocytes. We showed that B stimulates lipid breakdown in the presence of adrenaline, but has no effect on basal lipolysis. Lipolysis was increased in the presence of db-cAMP – an activator of protein kinase A and forskolin – an activator of adenylate cyclase. In the case of DPCPX, no changes were observed, which excluded the action of B via the adenosine A1 receptor activation pathway of lipolysis. B also limited the antilipolytic effect of insulin and H89, significantly increasing glycerol secretion. It can be assumed that B regulates lipolysis by stimulating enzymes acting in the last stages of the lipolytic cascade and can activate protein kinase A (PKA) and/or hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and/or triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Baicalein may, therefore, contribute to limiting lipid accumulation in the body.
Keywords: baicalein, lipolysis, adipocytes, metabolism
How to cite
K. Konieczna, K. Szkudelska, T. Szkudelski, 2025. Effect of flavonoid compound – baicalein on lipolysis in mature rat adipocytes. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A014