(all-E)- and (5Z)-Lycopene Display Similar Biological Effects on Adipocytes

International audienceScope: Although about 90% of lycopene in dietary sourcesoccurs in the linear all transconformation,a large proportion of the lycopene found in human tissues is of the cisisomer type, notably (5Z)-lycopene. The biological effects of this (5Z) isomer have been under-researched. The aim of this study was to evaluate some biological functions of (5Z)-lycopene in adipocytes and to compare them with those of (all-E)-lycopene. Methods and results:(all-E)-and (5Z)-Lycopene displayed strong similarities in global gene expression profile and biological pathwaysimpacted. We identified PPAR signaling as a major actor mediating the effects of lycopene isomers. Transactivation assays confirmed the ability of both isomers to transactivate PPARγ. In addition, theTNFα-induced proinflammatory cytokinemRNA expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was reduced by both isomers, via a reduction in the phosphorylation levels of p65. Finally, lycopene isomers restored the TNFα-blunted uptake of glucose by adipocytes, via a modulation of AKT phosphorylation.Conclusion: These results show that lycopene isomers exert similar biological functions in adipocytes, linked to their ability to transactivate PPARγ. These findings add to our knowledge of lycopene effects in adipocyte biology and point to the possible use of lycopene in the prevention of obesity related disorder