Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Published on: August 23, 2024
Pioglitazone attenuates lung injury by modulating adipose inflammation
Masahiko Kutsukake1, Takeshi Matsutani2, Kazuhiro Tamura1
1Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
Pioglitazone modulates adipocyte differentiation and enhances adiponectin promoter activity to increase plasma adiponectin levels. We investigated the effects of pioglitazone on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced visceral-adipose-tissue inflammation and lung injury in mice.
Materials And Methods:
Eight-wk-old male mice were assigned to three groups: (1) a sham-operated control group, (2) a CLP group, and (3) a pioglitazone-treated CLP group. Pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally for 7 d. Serum, lung, and visceral adipose tissue were collected 24 h after surgery. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels in peritoneal lavage fluid were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and TNF-α and interleukin 6 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in visceral adipose tissue were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Lung tissue specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling method was used to evaluate tissue damage.
Results:
TNF-α levels in peritoneal lavage fluid were significantly higher in the CLP group than in the sham group. TNF-α levels in the pioglitazone-treated CLP group were significantly lower than those in the CLP group. TNF-α and interleukin 6 mRNA expression levels of visceral adipose tissue were significantly higher in the CLP group than in the sham group. Pioglitazone treatment decreased the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines compared with the respective values in the CLP group. Histopathologic analysis of lung tissue revealed significantly increased numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling-positive cells in the CLP group compared with the sham group.
Conclusions:
Pioglitazone effectively prevents lung injury caused by CLP-induced sepsis by maintaining the anti-inflammatory status of visceral adipose tissue.
Related Concept Videos
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
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...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...

