TROGLITAZONE HAS A SCAVENGING EFFECT ON REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES

Troglitazone (CS-045), a newly developed antidiabetic thiazolidinedion e that enhances insulin sensitivity, is similar in structure to severa l antioxidants, including alpha-tocopherol and probucol. The in vitro antioxidant activity of troglitazone has been demonstrated in alloxan- induced hyperlipoperoxidemic and hyperlipidemic mice. In this study, w e found that troglitazone had a scavenging effect on reactive oxygen p roduced by xanthine-xanthine oxidase and generated by stimulated neutr ophils and tends to be the radical form. Our results suggest that trog litazone is an antioxidant similar to alpha-tocopherol. However, under the same conditions, pioglitazone, another thiazolidinedione drug, di d not have a scavenging effect. The antioxidant action of troglitazone , which is attributable to the similarity of its molecular structure t o that of alpha-tocopherol, may be of benefit in preventing diabetic v ascular complications, in addition to having hypoglycemic and hypolipi demic effects. (C) 1997 Academic Press.