Fucoxanthin Suppresses Lipid Accumulation and ROS Production During Differentiation in 3T3‐L1 Adipocytes

Fucoxanthin, a pigment from the chloroplasts of marine brown algae, has a number of effects against obesity, diabetes, inflammation and cancer and provides cerebrovascular protection. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of fucoxanthin on lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during adipogenesis. Treatment with fucoxanthin suppresses protein levels of the adipogenic transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha C/EBPα and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and of their target protein, fatty acid binding protein 4. Lipogenesis-related enzymes, such as diglyceride acyltransferase 1 and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase-θ, were downregulated by fucoxanthin. The ROS-producing enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) and the NADPH-generating enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase also decreased following fucoxanthin treatment. The adipokine adiponectin and the ROS-scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase 2, glutathione reductase and catalase were dose-dependently increased by fucoxanthin. Furthermore, lipolysis-related enzymes and superoxide dismutase 1 were slightly decreased, because of the suppression of lipid-generating factors and the cytosolic enzyme NOX4. To confirm these results, we investigated lipid accumulation and ROS production in zebrafish, where fucoxanthin suppressed lipid and triglyceride accumulation, as well as ROS production. Our data suggest that fucoxanthin inhibits lipid accumulation and ROS production by controlling adipogenic and lipogenic factors and ROS-regulating enzymes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.