Inflammation in adipose tissue is a characteristic
of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. It is
suggested that the endocannabinoid system is
involved in the regulation of infl ammatory and
angiogenic processes within the tissue. Human
subcutaneous preadipocytes (Zen Bio) were
used as the source of human preadipocytes or
adipocytes. Gene expression was examined
by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. The secretion of
infl ammation-related proteins was determined
by an ELISA array. In experiments on adipocytes
treated at day 14 post-diff erentiation, JTE-907, a
synthetic cannabinoid, upregulated the expression
of key infl ammatory markers – IL-6, MCP-1
and IL-1 β – and angiogenic factors – VEGF and
ANGPTL4 – at 10 μ M after 20 h of treatment,
having also increased the expression of TRPV1
at 10 μ M. JTE-907 showed no eff ect after 4 h.
The ELISA array showed a 2.6-fold increase in
IL-6 protein release. The eff ect of JTE-907 was
inhibited by AM251 (CB 1 antagonist), and partially
by arachidonyl serotonin (TRPV1 and FAAH
antagonist). The CB 2 antagonist, AM630, partially
upregulated the eff ect of JTE-907. Preadipocytes
fed 14 days after 100 % confl uence exhibited
downregulation of CB 1 , MCP-1, and IL-1 β , 20 h
after having been exposed to JTE-907. CB 1 and
TRPV1 receptors participate in the regulation
of several infl ammatory and angiogenic factors
in human adipocytes, indicating their potential
value as targets for the treatment of disorders
related to obesity