Nonivamide enhances miRNA let-7d expression and decreases adipogenesis PPARγ expression in 3T3-L1 cells

Red pepper and its major pungent principle, capsaicin (CAP), have been shown to be effective anti-obesity agents by reducing energy intake, enhancing energy metabolism, decreasing serum triacylglycerol content, and inhibiting adipogenesis via activation of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1). However, the binding of CAP to the TRPV1 receptor is also responsible for its pungent sensation, strongly limiting its dietary intake. Here, the effects of a less pungent structural CAP-analog, nonivamide, on adipogenesis and underlying mechanisms in 3T3-L1 cells were studied. Nonivamide was found to reduce mean lipid accumulation, a marker of adipogenesis, to a similar extent as CAP, up to 10.4% (P < 0.001). Blockage of the TRPV1 receptor with the specific inhibitor trans-tert-butylcyclohexanol revealed that the anti-adipogenic activity of nonivamide depends, as with CAP, on TRPV1 receptor activation. In addition, in cells treated with nonivamide during adipogenesis, protein levels of the pro-adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) decreased. Results from miRNA microarrays and digital droplet PCR analysis demonstrated an increase in the expression of the miRNA mmu-let-7d-5p, which has been associated with decreased PPARγ levels.