AICAR, an activator of AMPK, inhibits adipogenesis via the WNT/β-catenin pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to sense the cellular energy state and regulates various cellular energy metabolism pathways through its activation by AMP, an indicator of a low-energy state. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an activator of AMPK, efficiently inhibited the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. To elucidate its possible mechanism of action, the expression levels of β-catenin and other members of the WNT/β-catenin pathway were analyzed during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells in the presence or absence of AICAR. It was found that AICAR significantly enhanced β-catenin expression and its nuclear accumulation. Transfection of β-catenin small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly prevented the effects of AICAR on the expression of various genes. The expression of the major genes of adipogenesis including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EPB)α, the fatty acid binding protein (FABP)4 and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which were all reduced by AICAR treatment, were significantly recovered in β-catenin siRNA-transfected cells. Among the members of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, the expression of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)6, dishevelled (DVL)2 and DVL3 were significantly up-regulated by AICAR treatment, whereas the expression of AXIN was down-regulated. The present study provides compelling evidence that AICAR inhibits adipogenesis through the modulation of the WNT/β‑catenin pathway.