Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
Troglitazone downregulates delta-6 desaturase gene expression in human skeletal muscle cell cultures
Hans Günther Wahl1, Christiana Kausch, Fausto Machicao
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. hgwahl@klinikum-fulda.de
Abstract:
Delta-6 Desaturase, one of the rate-limiting enzymes, catalyzes the conversion of linoleic acid (C18:2 omega6) into gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3 omega6), arachidonic acid (C20:4 omega6), and further metabolites. Recently, it has been shown that human Delta-6 desaturase is expressed not only in liver but in a variety of human tissues, including muscle. Skeletal muscle is a major site of insulin action, and insulin sensitivity may be related to the fatty acid composition of muscle lipids. We examined the effects of troglitazone on the regulation of Delta-6 desaturase gene expression in human muscle cell cultures obtained from muscle biopsies (n = 15). Delta-6 Desaturase mRNA and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 (PPARgamma2) mRNA were quantified by two-step RT-PCR, and the activity of the Delta-6 desaturase enzyme was estimated by gas chromatographic analysis of the omega 6-C18:3/C18:2 fatty acids ratio. In cells treated with 11.5 micromol troglitazone for 4 days, PPARgamma2 mRNA levels were significantly increased (301.0 +/- 51.5%, P < 0.05) and Delta-6 desaturase mRNA levels were significantly decreased (41.7 +/- 5.9%, P < 0.0005) compared with the untreated controls. In accordance with the decrease of Delta-6 desaturase mRNA, there was a significant decrease in the omega6-C18:3/C18:2 ratio down to 47.4 +/- 7.5% in cholesterol esters, 54.2 +/- 7.4% in phospholipids, 56.7 +/- 6.5% in nonesterified fatty acids, and 67.7 +/- 5.9% in triglycerides. The troglitazone-induced decrease in Delta-6 desaturase mRNA is associated with a change in the unsaturated fatty acid composition of the muscle cells. These results add new aspects to the known thiazolidinedione effects on lipid metabolism.
Related Concept Videos
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology