Abstract

BACKGROUND
Thiazolidinediones are synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists that decrease insulin resistance but, as in vitro and in vivo studies suggest, may have direct beneficial effects on pancreatic beta cells. Here, we investigated the effects of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) on the insulin resistance, beta-cell mass and insulin secretion in obese diabetic OLETF rats. METHODS: We studied insulin resistance (by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp) and insulin secretion (by hyperglycemic clamp) in TZDs administered OLETF and LETO rats. Histologic alterations of the islets were observed and beta-cell mass was also measured by point counting method. RESULTS: Chronic administration of troglitazone (TGZ, 0.15%) or pioglitazone (PGZ, 0.02%) prevented the development of glucose intolerance in OLETF rats, as assessed by oral glucose tolerance test. There was significant difference in submaximal glucose infusion rate between TGZ-treated and untreated OLETF rats during euglycemic clamp studies at 24 weeks of age. At 16 and 24 weeks of ages, beta-cell mass significantly increased in TGZ-treated OLETF rats compared to untreated animals. At 19 weeks and 30 weeks of age, first-phase insulin secretion was not different in PGZ-treated OLETF rats from untreated OLETF rats during hyperglycemic clamp study. At 30 weeks of age, late-phase insulin secretion was decreased in PGZ-treated OLETF rats compared to untreated OLETF rats. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, a marker of activated pancreatic stellate cells that are involved in the fibrosis of the pancreas, in the islets was suppressed by TGZ treatment at 24 weeks of age. CONCLUSION: The treatment of TGZ prevented the development of diabetes, and increased insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell mass in OLETF rats. These results might be related with the suppression of pancreatic stellate cells. Insulin secretion was not affected by PGZ treatment.

• Keywords: Euglycemic clamp;Hyperglycemic clamp;OLETF rats;Thiazolidinediones;