Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency and/or insulin resistance, which in turn affects glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism, and ultimately causes characteristic secondary complications [1]. The adipose tissue provides a link between diabetes and obesity [2]. The accumulation of adipose tissue, as in obesity, and its deficiency, as in acquired or inherited lipodystrophy, are both associated with insulin resistance [3]. The aim of this study was to synthesize a new compound as a potential antidiabetic agent. In this regard, the antiadipogenic activity of the complex of Cr(III) with 5-hydroxyflavone was evaluated in vitro on human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs) engaged in adipogenesis.
The Cr(III) complex was synthesized by refluxing an ethanolic solution containing 5-hydroxyflavone and CrCl3 in a molar ratio metal to ligand of 1:3. The red solid product obtained was characterized by elemental and thermal analyses and several spectroscopic techniques (Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry, Infrared, Ultraviolet-Visible, fluorescence spectroscopy). The antiadipogenic potential of the chromium (III) complex with 5-hydroxyflavone on hASCs was evaluated over 3 weeks after its administration in an adipogenic environment. The expression of perilipin was evaluated both quantitatively (flow cytometry) and qualitatively (fluorescence microscopy).
The physicochemical analyses revealed the formation of mononuclear complexes with 1:3 metal to ligand stoichiometry. Histograms obtained by flow cytometry showed that the expression of perilipin decreases significantly in the presence of the chromium (III) complex with 5-hydroxyflavone.
The newly synthesized complex of Cr(III) with 5-hydroxyflavone displayed in vitro antiadipogenic activity, a premise for further in vivo studies using a murine model of diabetes.
Acknowledgments
This research was financially supported by “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy through Contract no. 23PFE/17.10.2018 funded by the Ministry of Research and Innovation within PNCDI III, Program 1 (Development of the National RD system), Subprogram 1.2 (Institutional Performance) RDI excellence funding projects.
References
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