Chitosan Oligosaccharides Suppress Adipogenesis and Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes via Multi-Pathway Transcriptomic Reprogramming

Obesity is a major global health burden that is linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) are bioactive compounds that are derived from the depolymerization of the chitosan in crustacean shells and are promising candidates for natural anti-adipogenesis effects. However, there is incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which structurally defined low-molecular-weight COS modulates adipogenic transcription networks and global transcriptional reprogramming. MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometry and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicated a predominance of dimeric species (DP2) at m/z 344.79, which represents a lower molecular weight fraction and is proposed to improve the membrane permeability and intracellular bioavailability of COS. In a 3T3-L1 preadipocyte model, COS treatment at concentrations of 320–1280 µg/mL dose-dependently reduced intracellular lipid accumulation, triglyceride content, and adipocyte maturation while enhancing lipolysis and insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Western blot analysis indicated dose-dependent downregulation of PPARγ and C/EBPα. Transcriptomic RNA-seq analysis indicated large-scale transcriptional reprogramming with the altered expression of genes involved in PPAR signaling, PI3K-Akt, AMPK, insulin signaling, and fatty acid metabolism pathways among differentially expressed genes. These findings demonstrate that COS suppresses adipogenesis through the coordinated modulation of adipogenic transcription factors and multiple metabolic signaling pathways. The results support its potential as a promising natural compound but warrant preclinical investigation in the context of obesity and metabolic disorders.