Nutritional factors in transdifferentiation of scheletal muscles to adipocytes.

Abstract A current area of interest is the determination of factors able to promote the transition from muscle to adipose tissue. The current review has highlighted that treatment of myoblasts with fatty acids (especially oleic acid) and thiazolidindiones causes conversion to adipocytes. The molecular mechanisms mediating the adipogenic action of thiazolidinediones and fatty acids in myoblasts could involve peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein C/EBP. The role of 1,25-D3 in adipogenesis is mediated at the molecular level through VDR-dependent inhibition of C/EBP and PPARgamma expression and a decrease in PPARgamma transactivation activity. Vitamin D supplementation increases muscle strength and ultimately reduces the incidence of falls. Additional research is needed to fully clarify the role of nutritional factors in adipogenesis.