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Effective use of thiazolidinediones for the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes.

We evaluated the efficacy of a thiazolidinedione in the treatment of diabetes induced by glucocorticoids. We examined the effectiveness of troglitazone in seven patients with long-standing steroid-induced diabetes. Five of the seven subjects were treated with insulin alone, one was treated with both insulin and oral therapy and one was treated with oral therapy alone. The mean insulin dose in six of the seven subjects was 0.66+/-0.09 units/kg per day. Diabetes status was assessed by measuring serum fructosamine, HgbA1c, oral glucose and meal tolerance tests (OGTT and MTT) at baseline and after treatment for 5-8 weeks with troglitazone 400 mg/day. Troglitazone caused a significant decrease in fructosamine (274+/-32 vs. 217+/-22 mmol/l; P<0.01) and HgbA1C (7.8+/-0.4 vs. 7.2+/-0.4%; P<0.01) as well as decrements in the areas under the OGTT 2,308+/-156 vs. 1,937+/-127 mmol/l; P<0.05) and MTT glucose curves (4694+/-449 vs. 4057+/-437 mmol/l; P<0.05). In addition, the area under the insulin curve for the oral glucose tolerance test showed a significant increase from 27,438+/-4,488 to 41,946+/-6,048 pmol/l (P<0.05). Total and LDL cholesterol were also significantly decreased (6.4+/-0.9 vs. 5.0+/-0.6 mmol/l and 3.8+/-0.7 vs. 2.7+/-0.4 mmol/l, respectively, P<0.05). Fasting leptin values decreased by 23% despite an increase in body weight. Troglitazone is effective in the treatment of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes as manifested by lower measures of glycemia, HgbA1c, and post-prandial glucose values, while the doses of other diabetes medications remained unchanged or were reduced. The insulin-sensitizing drug also produced a marked increase in endogenous insulin secretion in response to glucose, lower total and LDL cholesterol, and decreased fasting leptin despite weight gain. Thiazolidinediones may improve diabetes-related parameters by antagonizing pathways of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and by reversing adverse effects of glucocorticoids on beta cell function.

Administration, Oral↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma mediated inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 production and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus promote the atherosclerotic process, where an endothelial dysfunction plays a key role. The diabetic milieu elevates the production of the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and also increases the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. Recently the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in atherosclerosis has been extensively studied. However, the direct effect of PPARgamma in vascular endothelial cells is still unclear. Therefore, the effect of PPARgamma was investigated to determine if it plays an important role in PAI-1 production and cellular proliferation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). A combination of PPARgamma-overexpression and troglitazone treatment (5 ug/ml) significantly decreased both the PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression, while PPARgamma-overexpression or troglitazone alone tended to decrease both the PAI-1 protein and mRNA expression. PPARgamma-overexpression or troglitazone treatment alone reduced the thymidine uptake by the HUVEC with or without TNFalpha treatment. There was a further decrease in the thymidine uptake with troglitazone treatment in the PPARgamma-overexpressed HUVEC. In conclusion, PPARgamma can reduce PAI-1 production in HUVEC directly by transcriptional repression, and may play a beneficial role in preventing cardiovascular events. PPARgamma can also inhibit vascular endothelial cell proliferation, and its clinical relevance in diabetic vascular complications should be elucidated.

Cell Division↗

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha with anti-diabetic agents.

It has recently been indicated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production is increased under chronic hyperglycemia and TNF-alpha has harmful effects on insulin sensitivity and possibly on chronic diabetic complications. Therefore it will be favorable for diabetes treatment if anti-diabetic agents also have anti-TNF-alpha activities. In this study, we have investigated effects of hypoglycemic sulfonylureas (gliclazide and glibenclamide) and a thiazolidinedione (troglitazone) on lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha production, which was evaluated by immunoassay and bioassay, in vivo using mice and partly in vitro using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Gliclazide significantly inhibited TNF-alpha production in vivo and also in vitro at a concentration of 10(-3) mol/l. However, glibenclamide had neither effect on TNF-alpha production nor action. On the other hand, troglitazone inhibited action rather than production of TNF-alpha in vivo. In vitro troglitazone (10(-4) mol/l) significantly reduced cytolytic activity of TNF-alpha against LM cells. These results indicate that gliclazide and troglitazone have inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha.

Animals↗

Decreases in serum uric acid by amelioration of insulin resistance in overweight hypertensive patients: effect of a low-energy diet and an insulin-sensitizing agent.

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia and hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance are commonly seen in obese subjects and hypertensive patients. To clarify whether the insulin resistance plays a role in hyperuricemia, we investigated alterations in serum uric acid (UA) concentrations during treatment with a low-energy diet or an insulin-sensitizing agent in overweight hypertensive patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight overweight hypertensive patients (14 men and 14 women, mean age 61 +/- 2 years) were assigned to a weight reduction program with a low-energy diet (3360 kJ/day for 3 weeks, n = 14) and to treatment with troglitazone (200 mg twice daily for 8 weeks, n = 14). Measurements of body weight, blood pressure (BP), serum UA, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were performed at baseline and the end of the intervention periods. RESULTS: Body weight and BP decreased significantly in the diet group but not in the troglitazone group at the end of the intervention periods. Levels of blood glucose, plasma insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) improved similarly in the two groups. Serum UA concentration decreased by treatment both in the diet (0.4 +/- 0.2 mg/dL, P < .05) and troglitazone groups (1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/dL, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The amelioration of insulin resistance by either a low-energy diet or troglitazone decreased the serum UA level in overweight hypertensive patients. Insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, independent of body weight and BP, may play an important role in UA metabolism in multiple risk factor syndrome.

Adult↗

Regulation of aromatase by nuclear receptors.

We investigated the effects of a nuclear receptor system constituted by retinoid X receptor (RXR) and its heterodimer partner on the aromatase activity in a cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and also in human ovarian granulosa cells, using each selective ligand for retinoic acid receptor, RAR (TTNPB), retinoid X receptor, RXR (LG100268), PPARgamma (troglitazone), and vitamin D3 receptor (cholecalciferol). In MCF-7 cells, the combined treatment with TTNPB and LG100268 caused a dramatic stimulation of the aromatase activity. The combined treatment with other ligand and LG100268 had little or no effect on the aromatase activity. The increase in the aromatase activity by TTNPB plus LG100268 was accompanied by an increase in the P450arom mRNA levels, which was also found to be related to the specific usage of promoter 1a of the CYP19 gene. These results suggest that a nuclear receptor system constituted by a RAR:RXR heterodimer is involved in the regulation of aromatase activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In cultured human ovarian granulosa cells obtained from patients who underwent in vitro fertilization, troglitazone or LG100268 alone decreased the aromatase activity, while the combined treatment caused an even greater reduction in this activity. Little effect of other specific ligands for RXR heterodimer partners may support the notion that the effects of troglitazone and/or LG100268 in human granulosa cells may be mediated through the specific activation of PPARgamma:RXR heterodimer system. Since similar manners of effects of several PPARgamma ligands and/or LG100268 on the aromatase activity were observed in a newly established human ovarian granulosa cancer cell line, KGN, we performed the detailed analysis of the mechanisms of these effects using this cell line. As a result, the inhibitory effect of aromatase activity by troglitazone plus LG100268 was accompanied by the decrease of P450arom mRNA level. Furthermore, the loss of P450arom expression was considered to be due to both the decreased transcription and rapid degradation of its RNA based on the studies of nuclear run-on assay and RNA stability assay. In conclusion, RAR:RXR and PPARgamma:RXR heterodimer nuclear receptor systems may be other important modulators of estrogen production in human breast cancer cells and ovarian granulosa cells, respectively.

Aromatase↗

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in human transitional bladder cancer and its role in inducing cell death.

The present study examined the expression and role of the thiazolidinedione (TZD)-activated transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), in human bladder cancers. In situ hybridization shows that PPARgamma mRNA is highly expressed in all human transitional epithelial cell cancers (TCCa's) studied (n=11). PPARgamma was also expressed in five TCCa cell lines as determined by RNase protection assays and immunoblot. Retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha), a 9-cis-retinoic acid stimulated (9-cis-RA) heterodimeric partner of PPARgamma, was also co-expressed in all TCCa tissues and cell lines. Treatment of the T24 bladder cancer cells with the TZD PPARgamma agonist troglitazone, dramatically inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation and induced cell death. Addition of the RXRalpha ligands, 9-cis-RA or LG100268, sensitized T24 bladder cancer cells to the lethal effect of troglitazone and two other PPAR- activators, ciglitazone and 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-PGJ2 (15dPGJ(2)). Troglitazone treatment increased expression of two cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p16(INK4), and reduced cyclin D1 expression, consistent with G1 arrest. Troglitazone also induced an endogenous PPARgamma target gene in T24 cells, adipocyte-type fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP), the expression of which correlates with bladder cancer differentiation. In situ hybridization shows that A-FABP expression is localized to normal uroepithelial cells as well as some TCCa's. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PPARgamma is expressed in human TCCa where it may play a role in regulating TCCa differentiation and survival, thereby providing a potential target for therapy of uroepithelial cancers.

Alitretinoin↗

Functional changes in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synovial cells through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-mediated signalling pathway.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand dependent transcriptional factor known to be a regulator of adipogenesis. Recent studies have also shown that stimulation of PPARgamma inhibits the transcriptional activities of other nuclear factors and down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine synthesis in T cells and monocytes. We examined, in the present study, the functional significance of PPARgamma expressed in fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Incubation of FLS with a synthetic PPARgamma ligand, troglitazone, inhibited endogenous production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3), without inducing apoptosis of the cells. The gelatinase activity of FLS culture media was also inhibited by troglitazone. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed a significant reduction in the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB in troglitazone-treated FLS in response to TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. Moreover, long-term cultivation of FLS with troglitazone resulted in morphological changes with marked lipid accumulation in these cells. Our results show a negative regulatory function for PPARgamma on cytokine and MMP production together with inhibition of cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses in rheumatoid synovial cells. Our results also suggest that FLS could differentiate into adipocyte-like cells in the presence of proper stimulatory signals including PPARgamma.

Adipocytes↗

Thiazolidinediones enhance insulin-mediated suppression of fatty acid flux in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin-resistant glucose and lipid metabolism. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) enhance insulin-mediated glucose disposal, but their effects on lipid kinetics are unknown. We evaluated the effect of the TZD troglitazone on insulin-mediated suppression of fatty acid and glycerol kinetics. Eight obese men and women (body mass index [BMI], 34.1 +/- 2.3 kg/m(2)) with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes were studied before and after 12 weeks of troglitazone therapy (400 mg/d). Whole-body and abdominal fat masses were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Palmitate and glycerol rates of appearance (R(a)) into plasma were evaluated during a 3-stage hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, which spanned the physiologic range of plasma insulin concentrations that regulate lipolysis. Troglitazone therapy did not alter body composition. Palmitate and glycerol R(a) decreased progressively during each stage of hyperinsulinemia (P <.001). Suppression of palmitate R(a) by insulin was greater after than before troglitazone therapy (P <.001), whereas glycerol R(a) was unchanged. These results demonstrate that TZDs increase insulin-mediated suppression of fatty acid release into plasma in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which may contribute to their metabolic benefits. However, TZD therapy did not affect whole-body glycerol R(a), possibly because of upregulation of lipoprotein lipase action on plasma triglycerides.

Adipose Tissue↗

Growth inhibition of esophageal squamous carcinoma cells by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligands.

The growth of human cancer cells expressing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) has been reported to be inhibited by PPAR-gamma ligands. In esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma cell lines T.T, T.Tn, and EC-GI-10, we detected expression of PPAR-gamma and investigated the effects of PPAR-gamma ligands on these cell lines in vitro with the use of troglitazone, pioglitazone, and 15d-PGJ2. Marked growth inhibition by the PPAR-gamma ligands was observed in all cases. The growth-inhibitory effect was evidenced by a dose-dependent inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and was associated with altered cell-cycle progression manifesting G1 arrest. Cell-cycle arrest in T.Tn cells induced by troglitazone could be correlated with an increased level of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1), p21(Cip1/Waf1), and p18(Ink4c). Moreover, troglitazone treatment increased the expression of interleukin-1 alpha, a multifunctional cytokine implicated in antitumor immunity. These findings suggest that troglitazone and other PPAR-gamma ligands have adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapeutic potentials in esophageal cancer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Thiazolidinediones inhibit lipoprotein lipase activity in adipocytes.

The thiazolidinediones troglitazone and BRL 49653 improve insulin sensitivity in humans and animals with insulin resistance. Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase is an insulin-sensitive enzyme. We examined the effects of thiazolidinediones on lipoprotein lipase expression in adipocytes. When added to 3T3-F442A, 3T3-L1, and rat adipocytes in culture, troglitazone and BRL 49653 inhibited lipoprotein lipase activity. This inhibition was observed at concentrations as low as 0.1 microM and within 2 h after addition of the drug. Lipoprotein lipase activity was inhibited in differentiated adipocytes as well as the differentiating cells. Despite this decrease in enzyme activity, these drugs increased mRNA levels in undifferentiated 3T3-F442A and 3T3-L1 cells and had no effect on mRNA expression or synthesis of lipoprotein lipase in differentiated cells. Western blot analysis showed that these drugs did not affect the mass of the enzyme protein. Lipoprotein lipase activity in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells was not inhibited by troglitazone. Glucose transport, biosynthesis of lipids from glucose or the biosynthesis of proteins were unaffected by thiazolidinediones in differentiated cells, whereas glucose transport and lipid biosynthesis were increased when these drugs were added during differentiation. These results show that troglitazone and BRL 49653 have a specific, post-translational inhibitory effect on lipoprotein lipase in adipocytes, yet they promote lipid accumulation and differentiation in preadipocytes.

Adipocytes↗

Distinct mechanisms of glucose lowering by specific agonists for peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor gamma and retinoic acid X receptors.

Agonists for the nuclear receptor peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) and its heterodimeric partner, retinoid X receptor (RXR), are effective agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. To gain insight into the antidiabetic action of these compounds, we treated female Zucker diabetic rats (ZFF) with AGN194204, which we show to be a homodimer-specific RXR agonist, or the PPARgamma agonist, troglitazone. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps in ZFF showed that troglitazone and AGN194204 reduced basal endogenous glucose production (EGP) approximately 30% and doubled the insulin suppression of EGP. AGN194204 had no effect on peripheral glucose utilization, whereas troglitazone increased insulin-stimulated glucose utilization by 50%, glucose uptake into skeletal muscle by 85%, and de novo skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis by 300%. Troglitazone increased skeletal muscle Irs-1 and phospho-Akt levels following in vivo insulin treatment, whereas AGN194204 increased hepatic Irs-2 and insulin stimulated phospho-Akt in liver. Gene profiles of AGN194204-treated mouse liver analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified increases in fatty acid synthetic genes, including Srebp-1 and fatty acid synthase, a pathway previously shown to be induced by RXR agonists. A network of down-regulated genes containing Foxa2, Foxa3, and G-protein subunits was identified, and decreases in these mRNA levels were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Treatment of HepG2 cells with AGN194204 resulted in inhibition of glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation suggesting the G-protein down-regulation may provide an additional mechanism for hepatic insulin sensitization by RXR. These studies demonstrate distinct molecular events lead to insulin sensitization by high affinity RXR and PPARgamma agonists.

Animals↗

Modulation of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis by chemotherapy in thyroid cancer cell lines.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in many human cancer cells but not in normal cells. Thyroid cancer cells, however, appear to be relatively resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We therefore investigated the effect of chemotherapy on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells. We used six thyroid cancer cell lines: TPC-1, FTC-133, FTC-236, FTC-238, XTC-1, and ARO82-1. We used flow cytometry to measure apoptosis, dimethyl-thiazol-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to measure antiproliferation effects and Western blot to determine the expression of Bcl family proteins. Troglitazone, paclitaxel, geldanamycin, and cycloheximide were used for pretreatment. We used the Student's t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for statistical analysis. All thyroid cancer cell lines, except the TPC-1 cell line, were resistant to TRAIL, and growth inhibition was less than 20% at concentration of 800 ng/mL of TRAIL. In both TPC-1 (TRAIL-sensitive) and FTC-133 (TRAIL-resistant) thyroid cancer cell lines, pretreatment with troglitazone, cycloheximide, and paclitaxel enhanced TRAIL-induced cell death significantly but pretreatment with geldanamycin did not. There were no significant changes in Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bax protein expression after troglitazone treatment. In conclusion, TRAIL in combination with troglitazone, paclitaxel, and cycloheximide induces apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells at suboptimal concentrations that cannot be achieved using TRAIL alone.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Xenobiotics inhibit hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of taurocholate in rat hepatocytes.

Reports suggest that troglitazone, and to a lesser extent bosentan, may alter bile acid homeostasis by inhibiting the bile salt export pump. The present studies examined the hypothesis that these xenobiotics may modulate multiple hepatic bile acid transport mechanisms. In suspended rat hepatocytes, troglitazone (10 microM) decreased the initial rate of taurocholate uptake approximately 3-fold; the initial uptake rate of estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide, a substrate of the organic anion transporting polypeptides, also was decreased approximately 4-fold. Bosentan (100 microM) decreased the initial uptake rate of taurocholate and estradiol-17beta-D-glucuronide by approximately 12- and approximately 7-fold, respectively. In sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes, 10-min accumulation of taurocholate in cells + bile canaliculi (408 +/- 57 pmol/mg protein) was decreased significantly by troglitazone (157 +/- 17 pmol/mg protein, respectively) only in the presence of Na+, the driving force for the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. A similar decrease with 10-fold higher concentrations of bosentan was noted. The biliary excretion index of taurocholate (55 +/- 8%) was decreased in the presence of 10 microM troglitazone (27 +/- 2%) and 100 microM bosentan (10 +/- 6%). In conclusion, xenobiotics may alter hepatic bile acid transport by inhibiting both hepatic uptake and biliary excretion.

Animals↗

Effect of thiazolidinediones and metformin on LDL oxidation and aortic endothelium relaxation in diabetic GK rats.

In this study, using GK diabetic rats, we compared the effects of three insulin sensitizers on lipid oxidation and the aortic relaxation response. Eight-week-old rats were treated for 4 wk with either troglitazone or pioglitazone, both of which are thiazolidinediones, or with metformin. Despite the fact that only troglitazone has a similarity in structure to alpha-tocopherol, a potent antioxidant, the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance was lower, and the lag time of the conjugated dienes was longer, in the blood samples from the rats in both troglitazone- and pioglitazone-treated groups. In contrast, another insulin sensitizer, metformin, failed to inhibit the oxidation of blood samples. The aortic vasorelaxation response was increased in both troglitazone- and metformin-treated groups compared with the untreated group. These findings suggest that thiazolidinediones have a beneficial effect on lipid oxidation irrespective of the drug's structural similarity to alpha-tocopherol. It is also suggested that the thiazolidinediones and metformin improve vascular function in diabetes. These effects may play a role in the prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.

Acetylcholine↗

Chemopreventive effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma on gastric carcinogenesis in mice.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is known to be expressed in several cancers, and the treatment of these cancer cells with PPARgamma ligands often induces cell differentiation and apoptosis. Recently, the chemopreventive potential of PPARgamma ligands on colon carcinogenesis was reported, although the effect of PPARgamma on colon carcinogenesis and the mechanism of the effect remain controversial. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the role of PPARgamma in gastric carcinogenesis and explored the possible use of PPARgamma ligand as a chemopreventive agent for gastric cancer. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU, 240 ppm) was given in drinking water for 10 weeks to induce gastric cancer in PPARgamma wild-type (+/+) and heterozygous-deficient (+/-) mice, followed by treatment with PPARgamma ligand [troglitazone, 0.15% (w/w) in powder food] or the vehicle alone for 42 weeks. At the end of the experiment, PPARgamma (+/-) mice were more susceptible to MNU-induced gastric cancer than wild-type (+/+) mice (89.5%/55.5%), and troglitazone significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancer in PPARgamma (+/+) mice (treatment 55.5%/vehicle 9%) but not in PPARgamma (+/-) mice. The present study showed that (a) PPARgamma suppresses gastric carcinogenesis, (b) the PPARgamma ligand troglitazone is a potential chemopreventive agent for gastric carcinogenesis, and (c) troglitazone's chemopreventive effect is dependent on PPARgamma.

Animals↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activators inhibit gene expression and migration in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in atherogenesis and restenosis after arterial interventions. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-9, contributes to VSMC migration. This process requires degradation of basal laminae and other components of the arterial extracellular matrix. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), members of the nuclear receptor family, regulate gene expression after activation by various ligands. Recent studies have suggested opposing effects of PPAR gamma (PPARgamma) activation on atherogenesis. The present study tested the hypotheses that human VSMCs express PPAR alpha (PPARalpha) and PPARgamma and that PPAR agonists in VSMCs modulate MMP-9 expression and activity, as well as VSMC migration. Human VSMCs expressed PPARalpha and PPARgamma mRNA and protein. Treatment of VSMCs with the PPARgamma ligands troglitazone and the naturally occurring 15-deoxy-Delta12, 14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) decreased phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels, as well as MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity in the supernatants in a concentration-dependent manner. Six different PPARalpha activators lacked such effects. Addition of prostaglandin F2alpha, known to limit PPARgamma activity, diminished the MMP-9 inhibition seen with either troglitazone or 15d-PGJ2, further implicating PPARgamma in these effects. Finally, troglitazone and 15d-PGJ2 inhibited the platelet-derived growth factor-BB-induced migration of VSMCs in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. PPARgamma activation may regulate VSMC migration and expression and activity of MMP-9. Thus, PPARgamma activation in VSMCs, via the antidiabetic agent troglitazone or naturally occurring ligands, may act to counterbalance other potentially proatherosclerotic PPARgamma effects.

Becaplermin↗

Thiazolidinediones influence plasma steroids of male obese Zucker rats.

Insulin sensitizing thiazolidinediones (TZDs) inhibit steroidogenic enzyme activities in vitro and affect plasma steroids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. This study was to examine TZD action on circulating steroids in male genetically obese Zucker rats (fa/fa), which were treated with troglitazone or rosiglitazone (0.3% and 0.01% food admixture, respectively) and were compared to untreated obese and lean littermates. After 36 days of TZD administration, obesity- associated derangement of carbohydrate metabolism was ameliorated (e.g., insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation by isolated soleus muscle, nmol/g/h: lean controls, 1049 +/- 100; obese controls, 518 +/- 30; troglitazone-treated obese, 672 +/- 43; rosiglitazone-treated obese, 761 +/- 77; p < 0.01 each vs. obese controls). While plasma pregnenolone and testosterone were neither affected by obesity nor by TZDs, a marked reduction of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in obese vs. lean controls (27 +/- 3 vs. 58 +/- 10 ng/dl; p < 0.01) was partially reversed by TZD treatment (46 +/- 5 and 48 +/- 9 ng/dl for troglitazone and rosiglitazone, respectively; p < 0.02 each vs. untreated obese). Plasma 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, in contrast, was not reduced by obesity (76 +/- 9 vs. 59 +/- 7 ng/dl in obese vs. lean controls; n.s.) but blunted by TZD treatment of obese rats (38 +/- 4 and 44 +/- 3 ng/dl for troglitazone and rosiglitazone, respectively; p < 0.05 each vs. untreated obese). We conclude that (i) oral TZD treatment influences circulating steroid concentrations of male obese Zucker rats, and (ii) these effects are at least in part mediated via mechanisms other than those underlying TZD-induced insulin sensitization.

Animals↗

Ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of human papillary thyroid carcinoma cells.

Ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) induce apoptosis and exert antiproliferative effects on several carcinoma cell lines. The present study investigates the expression of PPARgamma and the possibility that agonists for PPARgamma also inhibit the growth of human thyroid carcinoma cells. We examined this hypothesis using six cell lines, designated BHP thyroid carcinoma cells, which originated from patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the thyroid carcinoma cell lines BHP2-7, 7-13, 10-3, and 18-21 express PPARgamma. More PPARgamma was expressed in carcinoma than in adjacent normal thyroid tissue in three of six samples of human papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. PPARgamma-positive thyroid carcinoma cells were treated with agonists of PPARgamma, troglitazone, BRL 49653, and 15-deoxy-12,14-prostaglandin J2. Troglitazone (10 micromol/L), BRL 49653 (10 micromol/L), and 15-deoxy-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (1 microg/mL) decreased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and reduced cell number, respectively, in BHP carcinoma cell lines that expressed PPARgamma. Under low serum conditions, ligands for PPARgamma induced condensation of the nucleus and fragmentation of chromatin into nucleosome ladders. These findings indicate that the death of thyroid carcinoma cells is a form of apoptosis. To investigate the molecular mechanism of the apoptosis, we assessed expression of the apoptosis-regulatory genes bcl-2, bax, and c-myc. Troglitazone significantly increased the expression of c-myc messenger RNA but had no effect on the expression of bcl-2 and bax in thyroid carcinoma cells. These results suggest that, at least in part, the induction of apoptosis in human papillary thyroid carcinoma cells may be due to an increase of c-myc. Troglitazone (500 mg/kg.day) significantly inhibited tumor growth and prevented distant metastasis of BHP18-21 tumors in nude mice in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that PPARgamma agonist inhibit cell growth of some types of human thyroid cancer.

Animals↗