Germinated waxy black rice extract inhibits lipid accumulation with regulation of multiple gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of germinated waxy black rice (GWBR) extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The inhibitory effect of GWBR extract against adipocyte differentiation was evaluated using Oil Red O staining and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) assay. GWBR extract inhibited adipocyte differentiation, but was not found to elicit any cytotoxicity. The mRNA levels of adipogenic transcriptional factors such as C/EBP-α and -β, PPAR-γ, and SREBP-1c, as well as adipogenic enzymes, including aP2, LPL, and FAS were significantly downregulated by treatment with GWBR extract compared to untreated control cells. However, mRNA levels of lipolytic genes such as HSL and ATGL, β-oxidation related genes CPT1, and UCP2 involved in thermogenesis were significantly up-regulated by treatment with GWBR extract. These data suggest that GWBR extract may be a potential functional food, and may have pharmacological applications in both the prevention and treatment of obesity.