The effects of citalopram and sertraline on adipogenesis and lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), widely used antidepressants, have been associated with metabolic adverse effects, including weight gain and disrupted lipid metabolism. This study investigates the potential adipogenic and lipogenic effects of two commonly prescribed SSRIs, citalopram (CIT) and sertraline (SER), using the murine 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line. Key markers, such as adiponectin secretion, G3PDH activity, and the expression of critical transcription factors (PPAR gamma, CEBP alpha, SREBP1) and lipogenic enzymes (FASN, LPL), were evaluated. Furthermore, assessment of intracellular lipid accumulation via Oil Red O staining was used as a measure for enhanced adipogenesis. The results show that CIT significantly increased adiponectin secretion and G3PDH activity, with comparable potency to the positive control, rosiglitazone. Both SSRIs upregulated the transcription of key adipogenic genes but displayed discrepancies in protein expression. Despite these molecular changes, neither CIT nor SER promoted lipid accumulation, indicating disruption of adipogenic and lipogenic processes without direct stimulation of fat storage. These findings underscore the complexity of SSRI-induced metabolic effects and the need for further studies to evaluate their long-term impact.