title: Effect of darglitazone on glucose clearance and lipid metabolism in obese cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of darglitazone, a compound of the thiazolidinedione class, on glucose clearance and lipid metabolism in obese cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 obese and 4 lean adult neutered female cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV glucose tolerance tests with measurements of glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were performed before and 42 days after daily administration of darglitazone (9 obese cats) or placebo (9 obese and 4 lean cats). Additionally, cholesterol, triglyceride, leptin, and glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Darglitazone-treated cats had significantly lower cholesterol, triglyceride, and leptin concentrations, compared with placebo-treated obese cats. A significant decrease in the area under the curve for NEFAs, glucose, and insulin during an i.v. glucose tolerance test was seen in darglitazone-treated cats. The drug was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The response of obese cats to darglitazone was similar to the response to thiazolidinediones in obese humans and rodents Darglitazone was effective in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose and lipid metabolism in obese cats.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Margarethe
authors: M
authors: Hoenig
authors: Duncan C
authors: DC
authors: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000662:veterinary; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; C089948:darglitazone