Studies on molecular mechanisms of lipid accumulation in adipocytes for anti-metabolic syndrome

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Adipocytes in adipose tissues store energy as triglycerides within lipid droplets and provide energy by degrading them when required. Excess storage of triglycerides in lipid droplets leads to obesity, which causes metabolic syndrome. To explore molecular mechanism of lipid droplet formation in adipocytes, molecular cell biological studies were carried out. We succeeded to identify a couple of novel factors that are deeply involved in lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Moreover, an assay system to evaluate the activity of food factors that increase energy expenditure in adipocytes was established. Using this system, a citrus limonoid was found to be a novel anti-obesity agent.