Invited Speaker

Oleuropein and related compounds from olive plants modulate adipogenesis
Sylvia Lee-Huang, Paul Huang
USA

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease. Adipocytes arise from pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which are also capable of differentiation into bone, muscle, or cartilage. Adipogenesis involves lineage commitment, mitotic clonal expansion, and terminal differentiation. Understanding these mechanisms, as well as when and how to turn them on or off, may allow development of new therapeutic approaches to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The most abundant non-lipid component of olive plants, is the polyphenol oleuropein.

We found that oleuropein modulates adipocyte differentiation, fat accumulation and adipogenic gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Oleuropein blocks adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Using RT-PCR to monitor gene expression, we found that oleuropein down-regulates the expression of adipogenic genes PPARg2, LPL (lipoprotein lipase), and aP2 (lipid binding protein), while it up-regulates PPARd expression. In addition, in the presence of oleuropein, we were able to achieve transdifferentiation and de-differentiation, allowing fat cells to assume other fates. These results demonstrate the potential utility of oleuropein for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders, which are associated with increased fat mass. Because it modulates adipocyte differentaion, oleuropein may also be useful for the treatment of cachexia and lipodystrophy.