Tanshinone IIA inhibits the dihydrotestosterone-induced secretion of lipids and activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 in HaCaT cells.

To study the effects and mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) on the dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), the synthesis and secretion of lipids in HaCaT cells were examined. HaCaT cells were treated with DHT and Tan IIA at different concentrations. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of SREBP-1c, fatty acid synthase (FAS), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) mRNA in HaCaT cells. Western blotting was used to analyze the protein expression of SREBP-1 and phosphorylation of Akt. Flow cytometry and Nile red staining were used to detect the synthesis and secretion of lipids in HaCaT cells. We observed that Tan IIA inhibited the DHT-induced expression of SREBP-1 and p-AKT in HaCaT cells, which produced an effect similar to that of LY294002. Tan IIA significantly inhibited the transcription of lipid synthesis-related genes and decreased lipid secretion in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, Tan IIA downregulates the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes and decreases lipid secretion in HaCaT cells, which is correlated with the inhibitory effect on the DHT-induced mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1 in HaCaT cells.