OXPHOS xenobiotics alter adipogenic differentiation at concentrations found in human blood

Abstract

Adipogenesis is accompanied by differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells to adipocytes. As a part of this differentiation, biogenesis of the oxidative phosphorylation system occurs. Many chemical compounds used in medicine, agriculture, or other human activities, affect the oxidative phosphorylation function. Therefore, these xenobiotics could alter adipogenesis. We have analyzed the effects on adipocyte differentiation of some xenobiotics that act on the oxidative phosphorylation system. The tested concentrations have been previously reported in human blood. Our results show that pharmaceutical drugs that decrease mitochondrial DNA replication, such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis, like ribosomal antibiotics, diminish adipocyte differentiation and leptin secretion. On the other hand, the environmental chemical pollutant tributyltin chloride, inhibiting the ATP synthase of the oxidative phosphorylation system, can promote adipocyte differentiation and leptin secretion, leading to obesity and metabolic syndrome as the obesogen hypothesis postulates.