Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate diet-induced obesity by activating thermogenesis and alleviating inflammation in adipose tissue

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2025-02, Vol.747, p.151172, Article 151172
• Main Authors: Wang, Yanxue, Fu, Jingfei, He, Wanghong, Gao, Yike, Du, Juan, Xu, Junji, Guo, Lijia, Liu, Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - cytology; Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Adipose tissue thermogenesis; Adipose Tissue, Brown - metabolism; Adipose Tissue, White - metabolism; Animals; Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs); Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Inflammation; Inflammation - metabolism; Inflammation - pathology; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation - methods; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Obesity; Obesity - metabolism; Thermogenesis
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.151172

Obesity and its related metabolic disorders seriously threaten our health and significantly reduce our life expectancy. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice. The results demonstrated that BMSCs significantly reduced body weight, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in obese mice. Further analysis showed that BMSCs could promote brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning by increasing the expression of mitochondrial uncouple protein 1 (UCP1). Additionally, BMSCs markedly increase mitochondrial biogenesis, activate oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in adipose tissue, further contributing to energy metabolism regulation. Moreover, BMSCs were effective in inhibiting macrophage-related inflammation in adipose tissue, thereby mitigating obesity-associated inflammatory responses. Overall, our results lay the foundation for research on the potential of BMSCs as a promising strategy in alleviating obesity and related metabolic diseases. •Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and associated metabolic disorders.•Promote brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning.•Enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and activate oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in adipose tissue.•Reduce macrophage-related inflammation in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT).