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Differential vasoactive effects of the insulin sensitizers rosiglitazone (BRL 49653) and troglitazone on human small arteries in vitro.

BRL 49653 (rosiglitazone) and troglitazone are thiazolidinedione insulin-sensitizing agents, which are undergoing clinical evaluation as treatments for NIDDM. Potential side effects of thiazolidinediones include edema and hemodilution. Although the underlying mechanisms are presently unclear, animal and human studies have demonstrated a vasodilator action of troglitazone, which could in theory cause fluid retention. This in vitro study compared the direct vasodilator effects of troglitazone and BRL 49653 in small arteries (n = 44) from human subcutaneous fat. In arterial rings with a functioning endothelium and preconstricted with norepinephrine (NE; 6 micromol/l), troglitazone (n = 22 vessels), but not BRL 49653 (1-100 micromol/l), caused a concentration-related relaxation (69.4 +/- 5.2% at 100 micromol/l; P < 0.01). In the presence of indomethacin (IM; 10 micromol/l; n = 12), this vasorelaxant effect of troglitazone was abolished (P < 0.01 vs. troglitazone alone) and replaced by enhanced vasoconstriction (58.5 +/- 39.5% over the NE baseline) similar in magnitude to that produced by troglitazone vehicle (ethanol) alone (n = 16; NS vs. ethanol vehicle). By contrast, BRL 49653 (100 micromol/l; n = 22) and an equivalent volume of ethanol alone (n = 12) caused similar degrees of vasoconstriction (18.7 +/- 14.6 and 22.5 +/- 8.0%, respectively; NS). In the presence of IM (10 micromol/l; n = 10), the vasoconstrictor effect of BRL 49653 was enhanced (41.5 +/- 14.4%), although not significantly (NS vs. BRL 49653 alone or ethanol alone). Additional studies in Wistar rat arteries showed a similar vasodilator effect of troglitazone that was not inhibited by L-NAME (100 micromol/l). The alpha-tocopherol moiety alone had no vasorelaxant effect at concentrations up to 300 micromol/l. Thus, in human arterial resistance vessels in vitro, BRL 49653 does not possess the direct, IM-sensitive vasorelaxant action of troglitazone. This vasodilation could, in theory, permit transmission of systemic pressure to the capillary bed.

Adipose Tissue↗

Differential activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma by troglitazone and rosiglitazone.

The antidiabetic thiazolidinediones, which include troglitazone and rosiglitazone, are ligands for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma and exert their antihyperglycemic effects by regulation of PPAR-gamma-responsive genes. We report here that PPAR-gamma activation by troglitazone depends on the experimental setting. Troglitazone acts as a partial agonist for PPAR-gamma in transfected muscle (C2C12) and kidney (HEK 293T) cells, producing a submaximal transcriptional response (1.8- to 2.5-fold activation) compared with rosiglitazone (7.4- to 13-fold activation). Additionally, troglitazone antagonizes rosiglitazone-stimulated PPAR-gamma transcriptional activity. Limited protease digestion of PPAR-gamma suggests conformational differences in the receptor bound to troglitazone versus rosiglitazone. Consistent with this finding, an in vitro coactivator association assay demonstrated that troglitazone-bound PPAR-gamma recruited the transcriptional coactivators p300 and steroid receptor coactivator 1 less efficiently than rosiglitazone-bound receptor. In contrast to these observations, troglitazone behaves as a full agonist of PPAR-gamma in 3T3L1 adipocytes. Two-dimensional protein gel electrophoresis demonstrated that troglitazone and rosiglitazone regulated distinct but overlapping sets of genes in several cell types. Thus, troglitazone may behave as a partial agonist under certain physiological circumstances and as a full agonist in others. These differences could be caused by variations in the amount of specific cofactors, differences in PPAR response elements, or the presence of different isoforms of PPAR-gamma.

3T3 Cells↗

Comparison of insulin monotherapy and combination therapy with insulin and metformin or insulin and troglitazone in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment with insulin alone, insulin plus metformin, or insulin plus troglitazone in individuals with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 88 type 2 diabetic subjects using insulin monotherapy (baseline HbA(lc) 8.7%) were randomly assigned to insulin alone (n = 31), insulin plus metformin (n = 27), or insulin plus troglitazone (n = 30) for 4 months. The insulin dose was increased only in the insulin group. Metformin was titrated to a maximum dose of 2,000 mg and troglitazone to 600 mg. RESULTS: HbA(lc) levels decreased in all groups, the lowest level occurring in the insulin plus troglitazone group (insulin alone to 7.0%, insulin plus metformin to 7.1%, and insulin plus troglitazone to 6.4%, P < 0.0001). The dose of insulin increased by 55 units/day in the insulin alone group (P < 0.0001) and decreased by 1.4 units/day in the insulin plus metformin group and 12.8 units/day in the insulin plus troglitazone group (insulin plus metformin versus insulin plus troglitazone, P = 0.004). Body weight increased by 0.5 kg in the insulin plus metformin group, whereas the other two groups gained 4.4 kg (P < 0.0001 vs. baseline). Triglyceride and VLDL triglyceride levels significantly improved only in the insulin plus troglitazone group. Subjects taking metformin experienced significantly more gastrointestinal side effects and less hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive insulin therapy significantly improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetic subjects to levels comparable with those achieved by adding metformin to insulin therapy. Troglitazone was the most effective in lowering HbA(lc), total daily insulin dose, and triglyceride levels. However, treatment with insulin plus metformin was advantageous in avoiding weight gain and hypoglycemia.

Adult↗

Effect of ligand troglitazone on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression and cellular growth in human colon cancer cells.

AIM: To investigate the effect of troglitazone on pe-roxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) expression and cellular growth in human colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells and to explore the related molecular mechanism. METHODS: Human colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells cultured in vitro were treated with troglitazone. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were employed to detect the effect of troglitazone on PPARgamma expression. The proliferative activity was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Apoptosis-related genes, cell cycle regulatory genes and p53 were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: The expression of PPARgamma in colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells was up-regulated by troglitazone. Troglitazone inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and cell cycle G1 arrest in colon cancer cells. Troglitazone induced p53 expression in HCT-116 cells, but not in HCT-15 cells. The down-regulation of survivin and bcl-2 was found in both cell lines and up-regulation of bax was found only in HCT-116 cells, being consistent with growth inhibition in HCT-116 cells but not in HCT-15 cells. Troglitazone increased expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) (p21), p27(KIP1) (p27) and reduced cyclin D1 in HCT-116 cells while only a minor decrease of cyclin D1 was found in HCT-15 cells. CONCLUSION: Troglitazone is an inductor of PPARgamma in colon cancer cells and inhibits PPARgamma-dependently proliferation, which may attribute to cell cycle G1 arrest and apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Troglitazone may induce p53-independent apoptosis and p53-dependent expression of p21 and p27. Depending on cell background, different activation pathways may exist in colon cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Metabolic effects of troglitazone monotherapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Troglitazone is a new insulin-sensitizing agent used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanism by which troglitazone exerts its effect on systemic glucose metabolism is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 6 months of troglitazone monotherapy on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Six general clinical research centers at university hospitals. PATIENTS: 93 patients (mean age, 52 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean fasting plasma glucose level, 11.2 mmol/L) who were being treated with diet alone or who had discontinued oral antidiabetic medication therapy. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups (100, 200, 400, or 600 mg of troglitazone daily or placebo) and had metabolic assessment before and after 6 months of treatment. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma glucose and insulin profiles during a meal tolerance test; basal hepatic glucose production and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal rate during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure. RESULTS: Troglitazone at 400 and 600 mg/d decreased both fasting (P < 0.001) and postprandial (P = 0.016) plasma glucose levels by approximately 20%. All four troglitazone dosages also decreased fasting (P = 0.012) and postprandial (P < 0.001) triglyceride levels; 600 mg of the drug per day decreased fasting free fatty acid levels (P = 0.018). Plasma insulin levels decreased in the 200-, 400-, and 600-mg/d groups (P < 0.001), and C-peptide levels decreased in all five study groups (P < 0.001). Basal hepatic glucose production was suppressed in the 600-mg/d group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.02). Troglitazone at 400 and 600 mg/d increased glucose disposal rate by approximately 45% above pretreatment levels (P = 0.003). Stepwise regression analysis showed that troglitazone therapy was the strongest predictor of a decrease in fasting (P < 0.001) or postprandial (P = 0.01) glucose levels. Fasting C-peptide level was the next strongest predictor (higher C-peptide level equaled greater glucose-lowering effect). CONCLUSION: Troglitazone monotherapy decreased fasting and postprandial glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, primarily by augmenting insulin-mediated glucose disposal.

Adult↗

Efficacy and safety of troglitazone in the treatment of lipodystrophy syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Troglitazone promotes adipocyte differentiation in vitro and increases insulin sensitivity in vivo. Therefore, troglitazone may have therapeutic benefit in lipoatrophic diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether troglitazone ameliorates hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia or increases fat mass in lipoatrophic patients. DESIGN: Open-labeled prospective study. SETTING: United States and Canada. PATIENTS: 20 patients with various syndromes associated with lipoatrophy or lipodystrophy. INTERVENTION: 6 months of therapy with troglitazone, 200 to 600 mg/d. MEASUREMENTS: Levels of hemoglobin A1c triglycerides, free fatty acids, and insulin; respiratory quotient; percentage of body fat; liver volume; and regional fat mass. RESULTS: In the 13 patients with diabetes who completed 6 months of troglitazone therapy, hemoglobin A1c levels decreased by a mean of 2.8% (95% CI, 1.9% to 3.7%; P < 0.001). In all 19 study patients, fasting triglyceride levels decreased by 2.6 mmol/L (230 mg/dL) (CI, 0.7 to 4.5 mmol/L [62 to 398 mg/dL]; P = 0.019) and free fatty acid levels decreased by 325 micromol/L (CI, 135 to 515 micromol/L; P = 0.035). The respiratory quotient decreased by a mean of 0.12 (CI, 0.08 to 0.16; P < 0.001), suggesting that troglitazone promoted oxidation of fat. Body fat increased by a mean of 2.4 percentage points (CI, 1.3 to 4.5 percentage points; P = 0.044). Magnetic resonance imaging showed an increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue but not in visceral fat. In one patient, the serum alanine aminotransferase level increased eightfold during the 10th months of troglitazone treatment but normalized 3 months after discontinuation of treatment Liver biopsy revealed an eosinophilic infiltrate, suggesting hypersensitivity reaction as a cause of hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Troglitazone therapy improved metabolic control and increased body fat in patients with lipoatrophic diabetes. The substantial benefits of troglitazone must be balanced against the risk for hepatotoxicity, which can occur relatively late in the treatment course.

Adipose Tissue↗

Troglitazone improves psoriasis and normalizes models of proliferative skin disease: ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma inhibit keratinocyte proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is often treated with agents that activate nuclear hormone receptors for glucocorticoids, retinoids, and vitamin D. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is a related nuclear hormone receptor that can be activated by its ligands, including the thiazolidinediones. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether treatment with troglitazone, a currently available thiazolidinedione used to treat diabetes mellitus, has an effect on psoriasis in normoglycemic patients and whether ligands for PPARgamma have an effect on models of psoriasis. DESIGN: Open-label administration of troglitazone in patients with psoriasis and evaluation of drug actions in cellular, organ, and transplant models of psoriasis. SETTING: University and community hospital outpatient departments and university laboratories. PATIENTS: Patients with chronic, stable plaque psoriasis and control subjects. Five patients with psoriasis received troglitazone (none withdrew); 10 different untreated patients and 10 controls provided tissue samples. INTERVENTIONS: Oral troglitazone therapy at various dosages in patients with psoriasis; also, use of troglitazone, ciglitazone, and 15-deoxy-delta-12,14-prostaglandinJ2 in psoriasis models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Investigator-determined clinical results in patients and cell counts and histological evidence in models. RESULTS: All patients' psoriasis improved substantially during troglitazone therapy. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma was expressed in human keratinocytes; ligands for PPARgamma inhibited the proliferation of normal and psoriatic human keratinocytes in culture. Troglitazone treatment normalized the histological features of psoriatic skin in organ culture and reduced the epidermal hyperplasia of psoriasis in the severe combined immunodeficient mouse and human skin transplant model of psoriasis (P<.05 compared with untreated controls). CONCLUSIONS: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma might be a useful intracellular target for the treatment of psoriasis; further study is needed to assess the clinical value of ligands for PPARgamma, including troglitazone.

Adult↗

Effect of combination therapy of troglitazone and sulphonylureas in patients with Type 2 diabetes who were poorly controlled by sulphonylurea therapy alone.

The clinical efficacy of troglitazone, a new oral hypoglycaemic agent was investigated in Type 2 diabetes in combination with sulphonylureas. Two hundred and ninety-one patients with Type 2 diabetes (age 21-81 years) whose previous glycaemic control by sulphonylureas was judged stable but unsatisfactory (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) > 8.3 mmol I-1) were randomly allocated into the troglitazone treatment group (troglitazone group, n = 145) or the placebo treatment group (placebo group, n = 146). They were treated by test drugs for 12 weeks in combination with the same dose of sulphonylureas before the trial. One hundred and twenty-two patients who received troglitazone and 126 patients who received placebo were evaluated for efficacy. The baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the troglitazone group, FPG and HbA(1c) decreased significantly after the treatment (before vs after, FPG: 10.8 +/- 2.0 mmol I(-1) vs 9.2 +/- 2.5 mmol I(-1), p< 0.001; HbA(1c): 9.2 +/- 1.4% vs 8.5 +/- 1.5%, p< 0.001). FPG and HbA(1c) did not change after the treatment in the placebo group (before vs after, FPG: 10.5 +/- 1.7 mmol I(-1) vs 10.7 +/- 2.2 mmol I(-1); HbA(1c): 9.0 +/- 1.5% vs 9.2 +/- 1.6 %). Serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol did not change in either group, however, serum triglyceride significantly decreased in the troglitazone group. No serious adverse events occurred in either group. In conclusion, troglitazone 400 mg day(-1) had a significant hypoglycaemic effect in combination with sulphonylureas without any serious adverse events. Troglitazone, developed as an insulin action enhancer, can be a useful hypoglycaemic agent in the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes who are not well controlled by sulphonylureas alone.

Administration, Oral↗

Troglitazone induces expression of PPARgamma in liver.

Troglitazone is an insulin sensitizer which affects a number of target tissues. It is believed to exert these effects primarily by binding to and activating the y-isoform of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARgamma), which in turn regulates the expression of specific genes. However, in a number of target organs, such as liver, the levels of PPARgamma are low and other isoforms predominate. In the present study, we examined whether troglitazone induces the expression of PPARgamma, thereby sensitizing cells for the action of this drug. Treatment of isolated rat hepatocytes with troglitazone induced both the mRNA and protein levels of PPARgamma in a dose-dependent fashion, with maximal levels of induction being three- to fourfold. This induction was also observed using the 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2, a known natural ligand for PPARgamma, whereas ligands specific for PPARalpha were without effect. The induction of PPARgamma expression by troglitazone was also observed in livers from rats fed a diet containing troglitazone. Troglitazone had no effect on the expression of the alpha- or beta-isoforms of PPAR, the more predominant liver isoforms. These results indicate that troglitazone produces a reprogramming of PPAR isoform content in liver, which may in part underlie the mechanism whereby troglitazone sensitizes the liver to the action of insulin and/or ameliorates hyperglycemia.

Animals↗

Suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis in long-term Troglitazone treated diabetic KK and C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

The orally effective antidiabetic agent Troglitazone (CS-045) exerts hypoglycemic effects in various insulin-resistant obese and/or diabetic animals. Since increased hepatic gluconeogenesis is a major cause of hyperglycemia in these diabetic animals, we evaluated the effect of long-term Troglitazone treatment on hepatic gluconeogenesis. Troglitazone was administered for 7 days to normal ddY mice, diabetic KK mice, diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice, and its heterozygote, db/+ mice, as a 0.1% or 0.2% food admixture. Troglitazone significantly decreased plasma glucose in diabetic KK and db/db mice, but not in normal ddY and db/+ mice. 14C incorporation into blood glucose from NaH14CO3 was measured to assess hepatic gluconeogenesis in diabetic KK and normal ddY mice. Hepatic gluconeogenesis was significantly increased in diabetic KK mice (P < .01) as compared with normal mice, and was significantly suppressed (P < .05) after 7 days of Troglitazone treatment (approximately 200 mg/kg/d). Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) were significantly decreased but fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) was not significantly increased in the liver of diabetic db/db mice treated with Troglitazone for 7 days (approximately 80 mg/kg/d) as compared with control db/db mice. These changes in G6P, F6P, and FBP corresponded with the activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-1,6P2ase) and 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (6-PF-1K), which determined the content of F6P and FBP. Namely, Fru-1,6P2ase was significantly decreased in Troglitazone-treated db/db mice as compared with control mice, whereas 6-PF-1K activity was not affected by Troglitazone treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Troglitazone induces a rapid drop of mitochondrial membrane potential in liver HepG2 cells.

Troglitazone, a thiazolidinedione containing compound, was widely used to treat non-insulin dependent-diabetes. Unfortunately, troglitazone was associated with a sporadic liver toxicity that led to a cessation of its use clinically. Here we show that troglitazone induces a rapid and dose-dependent drop of mitochondrial membrane potential in liver HepG2 cells. The decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential induced by 100 microM troglitazone was completed after 5 min and similar in magnitude to that caused by carbonyl cyanide m-chloro phenylhydrazone. The troglitazone-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential preceded changes in cell permeability and cell count. In addition, troglitazone-induced a rise of intracellular calcium, subsequent to the drop in mitochondrial membrane potential, which was blocked by EGTA and the Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor bepridil. Finally, application of 100 microM troglitazone for 24h to HepG2 cells resulted in activation of caspase 3. The results of this study shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which troglitazone can cause cytotoxicity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Troglitazone induces apoptosis via the p53 and Gadd45 pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Thiazolidinediones, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma, have been reported to induce apoptosis in many types of cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of thiazolidinediones, troglitazone, and pioglitazone on the cell growth of vascular smooth muscle cells, and identified a specific effect of troglitazone in addition to PPARgamma activation. Subconfluent rat culture vascular smooth muscle cells were treated with or without PPARgamma activators, troglitazone (1-30 microM), or pioglitazone (1-30 microM) for 72 h. After treatment, cell viability was significantly reduced by troglitazone in concentrations of 5-30 microM but not by pioglitazone. Vascular smooth muscle cells appeared to float and shrink 48 h after treatment with 20 microM of troglitazone. In situ DNA labeling showed that the nuclei of these cells were positively stained, and genomic DNA extracted from the cells showed nucleosomal laddering. Messenger RNA expression levels of c-myc, p21, bax, bcl-2, and bcl-x were not changed by the treatment with troglitazone. In contrast, along with the induction of vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis, both the mRNA and protein expression levels of p53 and Gadd45 markedly increased in response to troglitazone. These results strongly suggest that troglitazone can induce vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis and that this effect is caused primarily by activation of the p53 and Gadd45 pathway but not by PPARgamma activation.

Animals↗

Troglitazone enhances glucose uptake and inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase in human aortic smooth muscle cells.

The thiazolidinedione analogue troglitazone is an antidiabetic agent that improves insulin resistance in rodents and humans. Although coronary artery disease is common in patients with the insulin resistance syndrome, the effects of troglitazone on smooth muscle cells (SMC) have not been fully elucidated. We therefore examined the effects of troglitazone on cell growth and glucose uptake in human aortic SMC. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity and glucose transporter (Glut) 1 mRNA levels were also studied. In the absence of troglitazone, insulin (10(-7) M) caused a 2-fold increase of DNA synthesis in SMC and troglitazone suppressed the increase of DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. This growth suppression was accompanied by inhibition of MAP kinase activity. On the other hand, troglitazone significantly increased Glut 1 mRNA and enhanced glucose uptake in SMC. These results suggest that troglitazone affects the insulin signaling pathways in SMC and suppresses growth while promoting glucose uptake. Our findings support the application of troglitazone as an inhibitor of SMC proliferation in patients with insulin resistance.

Aorta↗

Troglitazone suppresses intimal formation following balloon injury in insulin-resistant Zucker fatty rats.

Troglitazone, a thiazolidinedione derivative, overcomes insulin resistance through promoting insulin receptor function. However, the effect of the resultant enhancement of insulin action on the regulation of cellular proliferation remains unknown. We investigated the effect of troglitazone on intimal proliferation after balloon injury in insulin-resistant Zucker fatty rats. Troglitazone markedly decreased blood glucose and triglyceride levels at the therapeutic dosage. The area of neointima significantly decreased in treated animals 2 weeks after operation, as compared with the untreated control animals (0.0526 +/- 0.0292 and 0.115 +/- 0.0354 mm2, respectively). The ratio of neointimal to medial area in treated rats (0.75 +/- 0.26) decreased by as much as 53% compared with untreated rats (1.40 +/- 0.05). We next examined DNA synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) derived from non-insulin-resistant rats, to assess whether troglitazone suppresses the proliferation of vascular SMCs independent of metabolic effects. The result showed that troglitazone decreased [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. In conclusion, treatment with troglitazone in Zucker fatty rats resulted in a reduction in neointima formation after balloon injury, and also corrected hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia. In addition, in vitro studies revealed that the anti-proliferative effect of troglitazone stems from its direct action on DNA synthesis rather than any accompanying metabolic changes. Therefore, troglitazone seems to be applicable in preventing atherosclerosis in patients with insulin resistance.

Animals↗

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis produced by troglitazone in human hepatoma cells.

Troglitazone is an antidiabetic agent that increases the insulin sensitivity of target tissues in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It has been reported that troglitazone causes severe hepatic injury in certain individuals. In the present study, the mechanism for the hepatic injury by troglitazone was investigated with human hepatoma cell lines. HepG2 cells were incubated with troglitazone, its metabolites M-1 (sulfate), M-2 (gulucronide), M-3 (quinone), and other thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone). Troglitazone exhibited time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and M-3 also exhibited weak cytotoxicity. Troglitazone induced apoptotic cell death characterized by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation. As other thiazolidinediones, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, did not induce cell death and apoptosis in the present study, the affinity to PPARgamma may not affect the induction of apoptosis by troglitazone. These results suggest that troglitazone induces apoptotic hepatocyte death which it may be one of the factors of liver injury in humans.

Apoptosis↗

Inhibitory effect of troglitazone on tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in human mesangial cells.

Insulin resistance is one of the risk factors for the progression of atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis. Recently, the new oral insulin-sensitizing agent troglitazone has been thought to offer potential in the treatment of diabetes. If adopted for this use, it might be helpful in protecting against the development of atherosclerosis and microvascular complications via its improvement of insulin resistance. However, it has not yet been clarified whether troglitazone acts directly on the vascular cells and inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis, including glomerulosclerosis. Meanwhile, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis through the induction of monocyte migration. Therefore, we investigated the effect of troglitazone on the expression of MCP-1 in human mesangial cells (HMCs). HMCs were treated with or without troglitazone (1 or 10 micromol/L) in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) at various concentrations (50 or 500 ng/mL), and then MCP-1 secretion from the HMCs was measured. We found that TNF-alpha increased the secretion of MCP-1 by 55-fold versus the control and troglitazone significantly inhibited this TNF-alpha-induced increase in MCP-1 secretion (49.3%). Moreover, Northern blot analysis showed that troglitazone decreased the MCP-1 mRNA level in HMCs. We demonstrated that alpha-tocopherol also inhibited TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 production in HMCs, although its effects were not as strong as troglitazone. The present study indicates that troglitazone may prevent the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting MCP-1 expression in mesangial cells.

Blotting, Northern↗

Cardioprotective effects of troglitazone in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Troglitazone, a new oral antidiabetic agent, shows hypoglycemic effects in insulin-resistant animal models and humans. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of troglitazone on the heart of diabetic animals. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and age-matched controls were treated with troglitazone as a 0.2% food admixture for 6 weeks. Basal and postischemic cardiac functions at 14 weeks of age were then examined in isolated working heart. Troglitazone treatment did not attenuate the insulinopenia and hyperglycemia of diabetic rats, but it partially improved the hypertriglyceridemia. Troglitazone treatment partially restored the basal heart rate and cardiac work of diabetic rats to nearly control values. Troglitazone also improved the postischemic functional deficits of diabetic rats: heart rate (untreated 61% of baseline at 30-minute reperfusion v treated 92%, P < .001), left ventricular (LV) developed pressure (54% v 94%, P < .001), peak positive ([LV + dP/dt] 54% v 93%, P < .001) and negative ([LV -dP/dt] 53% v 94%, P < .001) first derivative of LV, and cardiac work (44% v 98%, P < .001). Diabetic animals showed ultrastructural damage including disarray of sarcomere, disorganization of mitochondrial matrix, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and invagination of nuclear membrane; these were partially normalized by troglitazone treatment. Our results suggest that troglitazone treatment has a cardiprotective effect on the basal and postischemic cardiac function of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Animals↗

Troglitazone and vascular reactivity: role of glucose and calcium.

We sought to determine whether insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and an insulin-sensitizing agent, troglitazone, have additive vasodilatory effects and the possible involvement of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and/or glucose utilization in these effects. Contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) and potassium chloride (KCl), as well as relaxation to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine [Ach]) and -independent (sodium nitroprusside [NaNP]) agents, were examined in rat tail artery rings in the presence of insulin/IGF-1 and/or troglitazone. Endothelium-intact tail artery rings stretched to 1 g tension were preincubated with troglitazone (3 micromol/L) and/or insulin/IGF-1 (100 nmol/L) prior to addition of graded doses of NE and KCI. A 90-minute exposure to troglitazone attenuated the maximal contraction to graded doses of NE and KCI (P<.0001). Incubation in glucose-free medium decreased the responses only to NE; troglitazone further attenuated the NE-induced contraction (P = .001). In submaximally precontracted endothelium-intact rings, troglitazone increased the relaxation both to NaNP (P<.0001) and to Ach (P = .001). Contraction experiments in depolarizing KCI (25 mmol/L) or Ca2+ -free buffer showed that troglitazone and insulin have a similar Ca2+ dependency. In conclusion, troglitazone, like insulin/IGF-1, attenuates responses to vasoactive agonists through a Ca2+ -dependent mechanism that may require the presence of glucose but is independent of insulin action and nitric oxide (NO) production.

Animals↗