Protective Effect of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin against Metabolic Syndrome: In Vitro Evidence Showing Anti-Inflammatory and Lipolytic Effects on Adipocytes and Macrophages

Figure 3

SHBG reduces lipid contents of differentiated 3T3-L1 cells with alterations in corresponding protein levels. (a) Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with SHBG proteins at the indicated concentrations in serum-free media and incubated for 3 days. Oil Red O staining was performed. Representative fluorescent microscopy images are shown. (b) Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 20 nM SHBG proteins for 18 or 35 hrs. Glycerol concentrations in culture media were measured by ELISA. Student’s t-test was performed. Data are the means ± S.D. (, ). (c) Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 20 nM SHBG proteins or 10 μM isoproterenol for 1 or 18 hrs. Intracellular cAMP concentrations were measured. Student’s t-test was performed. Data are the means ± S.D. (SHBG 0 and 20 nM: ). (d) Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 20 nM SHBG proteins for 3 days. Protein levels of CEBPα and ATGL were evaluated by Western blotting. Each band was quantified using ImageJ. Relative intensities normalized by β-actin are shown. Data are means ± S.D. (, ).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)