Pycnogenol Supplementation Promotes Lipolysis via Activation of cAMP-Dependent PKA in ob/ob Mice and Primary-Cultured Adipocytes

This study investigated the PKA-dependent inhibitory effect of pycnogenol (Pyc) on lipolysis using ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes. Supplementation of Pyc at 30 mg/kg significantly reduced body weight gain and visceral fat mass. The serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were reduced by Pyc supplementation, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level significantly increased. In addition, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) mRNA levels increased with Pyc supplementation in adipose tissue of ob/ob mice. The treatment of primary cultured adipocytes with Pyc at 100 μg/mL significantly increased glycerol release, cAMP level by reduction of phosphodiestersae-3B (PDE3B), and HSL levels, but decreased protein levels of perilipin A and fatty acid synthetase (FAS). The PKA inhibitor (H89) clearly blocked the cellular levels of perilipin A and HSL, suggesting that Pyc promotes lipolysis of adipocytes through activation of cAMP-dependent PKA, resulting in induction of HSL and reduction of perilipin A. Therefore, this study may elucidate the possible mechanism of Pyc, which is a candidate for weight loss through stimulation of lipolysis.