attenuation of differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes by co-administration of calcium and alltrans retinoic acid

Background: adipogenesis is affected by multiple factors, among which all-trans retinoic acid (atra) and ca^2 + are considered important factors. objectives: this study aimed to evaluate the effect of calcium, atra, and their underlying molecular mechanisms, alone and in combination, on adipocyte differentiation. methods: human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (had-mscs) were differentiated into adipocytes and simultaneously exposed to 0.5 μm atra or 2.5 mm calcium, or both in combination for 14 days. results: higher intracellular ca2 + was observed in both ca^2 + and ca^2 + plus atra groups. assessment of triglyceride content and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh) activity indicated lower differentiation levels in all treatment groups than in the control group. furthermore, the results demonstrated a higher expression of retinoic acid receptor alpha (rar-α) and lower expression of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ2 (pparγ2) and glucose transferase-4 (glut4) in the treatment groups as compared with the control group. it is noteworthy that ca^2 + plus atra treatment caused more significant effects on gene expression levels (p < 0.05). conclusion: in conclusion, combined treatment with ca^2 + and atra has a more pronounced inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation, indicating their cumulative effect.