Data Availability StatementAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. from epidemiological studies and animal studies may indicate that betel nut has diverse functional effects in different species or systems. Thus, controversy has arisen about the direct effects of BNAs on fat cells. One potential explanation for the disparate findings might be that betel nut may harbor various alkaloids with different effects on the signaling cascades in fat cells. Accordingly, careful examination of how BNAs are AMD 070 reversible enzyme inhibition involved in the direct regulation of fat cell growth may improve our understanding AMD 070 reversible enzyme inhibition of the relationship between arecoline and body weight. studies have shown that arecoline inhibited lipid accumulation. In particular, arecoline blocked insulin signaling and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, arecoline reduced lipid storage, inhibited fatty acid synthase (a lipogenic enzyme) expression [10C11], and stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes [11]. Although arecoline had various biological HSPB1 effects on adipocytes [10C12], no studies have demonstrated whether arecoline or other BNAs affected preadipocytes. In non-fat cells, arecoline could induce dysregulation of the G1 or G2 growth phase of the cell cycle by modulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins (e.g., p21 and cyclin-dependent kinases [CDKs]) and altering the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [13C16]. However, it remains unknown whether arecoline or other BNAs can alter the cell cycle in preadipocytes. To elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the actions of arecoline and other BNAs on fat cells, it might be useful to determine their effects on cell cycle-control proteins and ROS production in preadipocytes. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by AMD 070 reversible enzyme inhibition which betel nut arecoline inhibited cell viability in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and we compared the effects to those of arecaidine and guvacine. First, we showed that arecoline, but not arecaidine or guvacine, significantly reduced preadipocyte viability. We found that arecoline, but not the other two BNAs, induced dysregulation of the cell cycle in preadipocytes; in addition, we observed significant changes in the levels of cell cycle-related proteins. We also showed that arecoline-regulated preadipocyte viability depended on intracellular ROS production and the inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Moreover, arecoline, but not arecaidine or guvacine, significantly reduced total triglyceride accumulation during adipogenic differentiation. Methods Chemical reagents All reagents (e.g., arecoline hydrobromide, arecaidine hydrochloride, guvacine hydrochloride, etc.) were obtained from Sigma Chemical (St. Louis, MO), unless otherwise stated. BNAs were dissolved in sterile medium for cell treatment. As described in detail previously [17], DMEM, calf serum (CS), trypsin, and protein markers were purchased from Gibco-Invitrogen (Grand Island, NY). Antibodies specific for AMPK, phospho-AMPK, and cyclin B1 were obtained from Cell Signaling Technology (Billerica, MA, USA). All other antibodies (i.e., anti-CDK1, anti-CDK2, anti-p21, anti-p27, anti-p53, anti-actin, donkey anti-rabbit IgG-HRP, etc.) were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA). Cell culture As described in detail previously [1], 3T3-L1 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA) were grown at a density of 15,000~20,000 cells/cm2 in DMEM (pH 7.4) containing 10% CS, 100 units/ml of penicillin, and 100 g/ml streptomycin (GibcoBRL) in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO2 at 37C. The medium (10 ml) was replaced every 2 days. Serum components contained factors that facilitated 3T3-L1 differentiation from preadipocytes to adipocytes when they reached confluency; therefore, we subcultured the cells before they reached confluency. Cell viability 3T3-L1 cells (6000 cells/well) were seeded in triplicate wells of a 96-well plate [18]. To determine whether BNAs had a dose- or time-dependent effect on the viability of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, we treated cells with arecoline, arecaidine, or guvacine, at various concentrations (0~1000 M) in the presence of 10% CS-supplemented medium for the indicated time periods. Then, we determined optimal conditions for arecoline modulation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte viability. After incubating cells for the indicated times, we added.