Influence of rosiglitazone on hepatic ultrastructure changes in diabetic rats

Objective To observe the structure changes of liver in diabetic rats and the influence of rosiglitazone on the ultrastructure of hepatocytes.Methods Thirty Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were divided into 3 groups:control group(C),receiving peritoneal injection of 0.1 mmol/L(pH 4.5)sodium citrate solution;diabetes group(D),receiving peritoneal injection of streptozocin(STZ,60 mg/kg)+0.1 mmol/L(pH 4.5)sodium citrate solution;and diabetes plus rosiglitazone treatment group(DR),receiving normal saline and rosiglitazone(ig,1 mg·kg-1·d-1)3 days after treatment as in group D.After 10 weeks,the liver tissues were observed under the transmission electron microscope and two independent pathologists calculated the scores of damage.Results Hepatopathy was observed in group D,with swelling,atrophic mitochondria and outstretched cholangiole of the central zone.The score of damage degree was 23.9±0.8 in group D,which was significantly higher than those of the control group(4.7±0.2,P=0.001)and DR group(5.2±0.1,P=0.001).Conclusion Rosiglitazone can protect hepatocyte and cholangiole in diabetic rats induced by STZ.(Shanghai Med J,2008,31:785-787)