An improved in vitro 3T3-L1 adipocyte model of inflammation and insulin resistance

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)/hypoxia-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes have been used to model inflamed and insulin-resistant adipose tissue: this study examines gaps in the model. We tested whether modulating TNF-alpha/hypoxia treatment time could reduce cell death while still inducing inflammation and insulin resistance. Adipocytes were treated with TNF-alpha (12 h or 24 h) and incubated in a hypoxic chamber for 24 h. To examine maintenance of the phenotype over time, glucose and FBS were added at 24 h post initiation of treatment, and the cells were maintained for an additional 48 h. Untreated adipocytes were used as a control. Viability, insulin resistance, and inflammation were assessed using Live/Dead staining, RT-qPCR, ELISA, and glucose uptake assays. Treatment for 12 h with TNF-alpha in the presence of hypoxia resulted in an increase in the percentage of live cells compared to 24 h treated cells. Importantly, insulin resistance and inflammation were still induced in the 12 h treated adipocytes: the expression of the insulin sensitive and inflammatory genes was decreased and increased, respectively. In 72 h treated adipocytes, no significant differences were found in the viability, glucose uptake or insulin-sensitive and inflammatory gene expression. This study provides a modified approach to in vitro odeling adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance.