Abstract
Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) is a cyclic oligosaccharide, commonly used as a pharmacological agent to deplete membrane cholesterol. In this study, we examined the effect of MβCD on adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) isolated form healthy horses (ASCCTRL) and from horses suffering from metabolic syndrome (ASCEMS). We investigated the changes in the mRNA levels of the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and found that MβCD application may lead to a significant improvement in glucose transport in ASCEMS. We also showed that MβCD treatment affected GLUT4 upregulation in an insulin-independent manner via an NO-dependent signaling pathway. Furthermore, the analysis of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels showed that MβCD treatment was associated with an increased antioxidant capacity in ASCEMS. Moreover, we indicated that methyl-β-cyclodextrin treatment did not cause a dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. Thereby, we propose the possibility of improving the functionality of ASCEMS by increasing their metabolic stability.