Wan Sub Shim

Rosiglitazone protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against MPP+ induced cytotoxicity via inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)), an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, has been widely used as a neurotoxin because it elicits a severe Parkinsons disease-like syndrome with elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and apoptotic death. Rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist, has been known to show various non-hypoglycemic effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-apoptotic. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of rosiglitazone on MPP(+) induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, as well as underlying mechanism. Our results suggested that the protective effects of rosiglitazone on MPP(+) induced apoptosis may be ascribed to its anti-oxidative properties, anti-apoptotic activity via inducing expression of SOD and catalase and regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. These data indicated that rosiglitazone might provide a valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of progressive neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinsons disease.

Rosiglitazone improves insulin sensitivity with increased serum leptin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is known to be an agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) and promotes differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes. Leptin is highly correlated with adiposity, while the activation of PPARgamma is known to inhibit Lep gene expression and leptin release. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between changes in circulating leptin levels, insulin sensitivity and regional adiposity after RSG treatment. Two hundred fifty-one type 2 diabetic patients (176 men and 75 women) who had been treated with sulfonylurea and/or metformin received 4 mg of RSG daily, in addition to the previous medications. Before and after RSG treatment (average duration 5.6+/-0.9 months), indices of insulin resistance, metabolic parameters, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured. Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT(max)) and visceral fat thickness were measured by sonography. After RSG treatment, HOMA-IR index decreased significantly (2.82+/-1.94 vs. 2.01+/-1.58), while BMI and SFT(max) increased, and leptin (4.72+/-3.77 vs. 5.69+/-4.30 ng/ml) and adiponectin levels (7.54+/-10.20 vs. 12.89+/-10.13 microg/ml) increased. The increase in serum leptin correlated with an increase in SFT(max) (r=0.511, p<0.001) and with a reduction in HOMA-IR (r=-0.368, p<0.001). The correlation of Delta leptin with Delta HOMA-IR and with Delta SFT(max) was higher in females and among insulin-resistant subjects. In conclusion, RSG improves the insulin sensitivity with increased serum leptin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is related to an increase in subcutaneous adiposity.

The long‐term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid concentrations and body weight

Objective  Although rosiglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, is known to have beneficial effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentrations and low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size, it has unwanted effects on total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations and body weight in some short‐term studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term effects of rosiglitazone on serum lipid levels and body weight.