Limited therapeutic efficacy of pioglitazone on progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonists have been shown to prevent hepatic fibrosis in rodents. We evaluated the therapeutic antifibrotic potential of the PPARgamma agonist pioglitazone on established hepatic fibrosis.

Methods

Repeated injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a choline deficient diet, or bile duct ligation (BDL) were used to induce hepatic fibrosis in rats. Pioglitazone treatment was introduced at various time points. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by comparison of the severity of hepatic fibrosis in pioglitazone treated versus untreated fibrotic controls.

Results

When introduced after two weeks of CCl4, pioglitazone reduced hepatic fibrosis, OH proline content, hepatic mRNA expression of collagen type I, and pro

SUBMITTER: Leclercq IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1856308 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature