What is it about?
This study examines how extremely low nanomolar concentrations of antimony(III) [Sb(III)], comparable to chronic human exposure, affect adipocyte formation and cellular homeostasis. Using 3T3‑L1 preadipocytes, researchers exposed cells to 0.05–5 nM Sb(III) throughout the differentiation process. Sb exposure increased lipid accumulation and upregulated the adipogenic regulators C/EBP‑β and PPAR‑γ—an effect reversed by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780, suggesting a metalloestrogen‑like action. Sb(III) also promoted preadipocyte proliferation by inducing G2/M arrest and reducing p21 levels. In parallel, Sb triggered NF‑κB–mediated inflammatory signaling and disrupted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, increasing ROS, XBP‑1s, p‑eIF2α, GRP78 and CHOP. Together, these findings reveal obesogenic and stress‑related effects at concentrations far below regulatory limits.
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Why is it important?
Antimony is widely used in plastics, toys and food-contact materials, and trace amounts can migrate into products that reach consumers. Despite this, its molecular effects on adipose tissue remain poorly defined. This study shows that even very low doses of Sb(III) can alter adipogenesis, promote inflammatory signaling and disrupt ER stress responses during fat cell formation. These effects overlap with pathways implicated in metabolic disorders and highlight the potential contribution of environmentally relevant Sb exposures to adipose tissue dysfunction. The findings also raise concerns about cumulative exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals with shared biological targets.
Perspectives
While based on a single in vitro model, the results suggest that low‑dose antimony may act as an obesogenic and stress‑inducing agent during adipocyte differentiation. Future studies should validate these findings in more complex systems, including co‑culture models and in vivo experiments, to clarify the physiological relevance of Sb‑induced metabolic alterations. Given the widespread use of Sb‑containing materials and its potential additive effects with other EDCs, further research and exposure assessment may help inform updated safety guidelines and risk‑reduction strategies.
Prof. Antonio Speciale
University of Messina
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Low concentrations of antimony impair adipogenesis and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis during 3T3-L1 cells differentiation, Food and Chemical Toxicology, October 2023, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114107.
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