Anti-obesity effect of sulfated glucosamine by AMPK signal pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

In this study, we investigated the effect of sulfated glucosamine (SGlc) on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes during differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes by measuring lipid accumulation and adipogenesis related factors. Treatment with SGlc reduced the triglyceride content in Oil-Red O staining and enhanced glycerol secretion in adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, SGlc induced the down-regulation of adipogenesis related factors and adipocyte specific gene promoters. Moreover, treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with SGlc activated the phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α and β along with their substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). These results suggest that inhibitory effect of SGlc on adipocyte differentiation might be mediated through the up-regulation of AMPK pathway.