Combined effect of retinoic acid and calcium on the in vitro differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells to adipocytes

CONTEXT: It has been shown that adipogenesis can be modulated by factors such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and calcium. OBJECTIVE: To determine, the combined effect of ATRA and calcium on the differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the adipocytes by 0.5 and 1 µM of ATRA and 5 and 10 mM calcium separately or in combination. After MTS assay the differentiation of MSCs to adipocyte was evaluated, Oil Red O staining, GLUT4 concentration and gene expression of PPARG2, adiponectin, and GLUT4 were measured by Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: Except 10 mM calcium treated group, other groups and more significantly combination treatments could reduce all adipocyte markers compared to the control. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ATRA and calcium together have significant inhibitory effect on adipogenesis that can be helpful for finding new mechanisms to prevent or control the adipogenesis.