Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes
Published on: September 15, 2018
Effects of pioglitazone in familial combined hyperlipidaemia
E J Abbink1, J De Graaf, J H De Haan
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
Familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH) is associated with insulin resistance. We hypothesized that pioglitazone treatment of FCH patients might increase insulin sensitivity, but may also improve serum lipid levels, body fat distribution, intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) and endothelial function.
Design:
Double blind, randomized, cross-over study.
Subjects:
Seventeen FCH patients.
Interventions:
Sixteen weeks of pioglitazone treatment (30 mg) compared with 16 weeks of placebo.
Main Outcome Measurements:
Insulin sensitivity was measured using the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp procedure, body fat distribution and IMCL using magnetic resonance techniques and endothelial function using flow-mediated vasodilatation.
Results:
Pioglitazone improved insulin sensitivity (M value 37.7 +/- 3.6 micromol min(-1) kg(-1) vs. 33.0 +/- 3.3 micromol min(-1) kg(-1) during placebo, P < 0.05) and LDL composition by increasing the K value (-0.11 +/- 0.06 vs. -0.20 +/- 0.06 during placebo, P < 0.05). However, pioglitazone did not affect other serum lipid levels. Endothelial function, body fat distribution and IMCL were also not affected. In addition, pioglitazone was associated with a decrease in liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase).
Conclusion:
Pioglitazone treatment of FCH patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus increases insulin sensitivity, decreases liver enzymes and improves LDL composition but has a neutral effect on total serum lipid levels. The change in insulin sensitivity might be too small to induce changes in endothelial function, body fat distribution and IMCL.
Related Concept Videos
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
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...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

