Protective effect of pioglitazone against multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.
The autoimmune process is one of the etiological factors of diabetes in humans. Thiazolidinediones, which act through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, have been recently used to prevent diabetic-associated complications in patients with diabetes and insulin resistance. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pioglitazone on the diabetes induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS) in rats. When Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with a sub-diabetogenic dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg/day) for a period of 5 days, they developed hyperglycemia 2 days after posttreatment. Pioglitazone (6 mg/kg) administered orally for 7 days before the first dose of STZ prevented or delayed the development of MLDS-induced diabetes compared with the group treated only with STZ. Pioglitazone treatment showed no effect on plasma glucose levels in the control group. These findings suggest that pioglitazone prevented the autoimmune process involved in the development of MLDS-induced diabetes by decreasing glucose levels in rats.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, S.A.S Nagar, Punjab, India. anjaneyulum@rediffmail.com
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Anjaneyulu
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Ramarao
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045162:Thiazolidinediones
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013844:Thiazoles; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D013311:Streptozocin; D000077205:Pioglitazone