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IL-6 induces lipolysis and mitochondrial dysfunction, but does not affect insulin-mediated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

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Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has emerged as an important cytokine involved in the regulation of metabolism. However, the role of IL-6 in the etiology of obesity and insulin resistance is not fully understood. Mitochondria are key organelles of energy metabolism, and there is growing evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated insulin resistance. In this study, we determined the direct effect of IL-6 on lipolysis in adipocytes, and the effects of IL-6 on mitochondrial function were investigated. We found that cells treated with IL-6 displayed fewer lipids and an elevated glycerol release rate. Further, IL-6 treatment led to decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased cellular ATP production, and increased intracellular ROS levels. The mitochondria in IL-6-treated cells became swollen and hollow with reduced or missing cristae. However, insulin-stimulated glucose transport was unaltered. PGC-1α, NRF1, and mtTFA mRNA levels were markedly increased, and the mitochondrial contents were also increased. Our results demonstrate that IL-6 can exert a direct lipolytic effect and induce mitochondrial dysfunction. However, IL-6 did not affect insulin sensitivity in adipocytes in vitro. We deduce that in these cells, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis might play a compensatory role in glucose transport.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 123 Tianfei Lane, Nanjing, 210004, China

    Chenbo Ji & Xirong Guo

  2. Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China

    Chenbo Ji, Xiaohui Chen & Xirong Guo

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China

    Chunlin Gao

  4. Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 82nd Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army, 100 Jiankang Road, Huaian, 223001, China

    Liuhong Jiao, Jianguo Wang, Guangfeng Xu, Hailong Fu & Yaping Zhao

Authors
  1. Chenbo Ji
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  2. Xiaohui Chen
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  3. Chunlin Gao
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  4. Liuhong Jiao
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  5. Jianguo Wang
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  6. Guangfeng Xu
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  7. Hailong Fu
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  8. Xirong Guo
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  9. Yaping Zhao
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Correspondence to Xirong Guo or Yaping Zhao.

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Chenbo Ji and Xiaohui Chen contributed equally to this work.

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Ji, C., Chen, X., Gao, C. et al. IL-6 induces lipolysis and mitochondrial dysfunction, but does not affect insulin-mediated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. J Bioenerg Biomembr 43, 367–375 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10863-011-9361-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10863-011-9361-8

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