Obesity is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance, which are aggravated by the interaction between hypertrophic adipocytes and macrophages. In this study, we investigated the effects of tangeretin on inflammatory changes and glucose uptake in a coculture of hypertrophic adipocytes and macrophages. Tangeretin decreased nitric oxide production and the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in a coculture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 cells. Tangeretin also increased glucose uptake in the coculture system, but did not affect the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and Akt. These results suggest that tangeretin improves insulin resistance by attenuating obesity-induced inflammation in adipose tissue.

• Hye-Sun Shin(Department of Biology, Jeju National University)
• Seong-Il Kang(Department of Biology, Jeju National University)
• Hee-Chul Ko(Jeju Sasa Industry Development Agency, Jeju National University)
• Deok-bae Park(Department of Medicine, Jeju National University)
• Se-Jae Kim(Department of Biology, Jeju National University) Corresponding Author