Prophylactic effect of pioglitazone to alcoholic hepatic diseases in rats

Objective To study the prophylactic effect of pioglitazone to alcoholic hepatic diseases in rats.Methods A total of 100 SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group(20),model group(40) and pioglitazone group(40). Blank control group were given normal diet;model group were given gradient(5%~22%)and 54% alcohol;pioglitazone group were given pioglitazone(5 mg·kg-1·d-1) every day when given gradient(5%~22%)and 54% alcohol.The levels of ALT and AST in serum of rats were detected on 5th and 10th week respectively and then half of rats in each group were killed on 5th and 10th wecks.Slices of liver were stained by HE and the changes of pathology were observed.Results In model group,the levels of ALT and AST were (63.0±9.9),(84.0±10.6)U/L and (82.0±12.5),(163.0±21.4)U/L respectively on 5th and 10th week,and there was significant increase compared with blank control group(P0.05).The fatty degenerations were found after 5 weeks in 45%(9/20)of the rats;the fatty degenerations were found in 90%(18/20) of the rats,and the changes of alcoholic hepatitis were found in 50%(10/20) of the rats after 10 weeks in the model group.In pioglitazone group,the levels of ATL and AST were (48.0±8.6),(64.0±7.9)U/L and (62.0±13.6),(83.0±16.1)U/L respectively on 5th and 10th week,and there was significant dicrease compared with model group (P0.05) and significant increase compared with control group(P0.05).30%(6/20) of the rats were found fatty degeneration after 5 weeks; 70%(14/20) were found fatty degeneration and 30%(6/20) were found alcoholic hepatitis after 10 weeks.Conclusions Pioglitazone has a prophylactic effect to alcoholic hepatic diseases in certain degree.