Sulfation of chitosan oligomers enhances their anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid accumulation has a very crucial role to prevent obesity. Low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan is known to inhibit fat accumulation and adipogenesis. (N,O)-sulfated chitosan is a sulfation derivative of chitosan oligomers, and its anti-obesity effect is not yet reported. In this study, it has been reported that (N,O)-sulfated chitosan significantly decreased lipid accumulation, an indicator for adipogenesis, in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. Furthermore, mRNA expressions and protein levels of key adipogenic markers such as peroxisome prolifetor-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-α were considerably decreased by (N,O)-sulfated chitosan treatment. As a consequence, sulfation of LMWC remarkably increased its effect of adipogenesis inhibition, adding (N,O)-sulfated chitosan high potential to be utilized as a bioactive agent in food and pharmaceutical industry.