Effect of pioglitazone tablet administration on liver functions, lipid profile, and antioxidant parameters associated with fatty liver in male sprague-dawley rats

Fatty liver is a condition that could develop into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) marked by liver inflammation. This condition can be caused by several risk factors such as obesity and dyslipidemia. Previous studies showed that rosiglitazone, one of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), could be used as fatty liver therapy. In this study, pioglitazone, which is also a TZDs, was used to evaluate its effect on liver functions, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in animal models. This research aimed to evaluate the administration of pioglitazone tablets in the animal model. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups consisted of normal group, negative control, and three treated groups, which received 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg/kg BW/day of pioglitazone tablet. The study was conducted by oral induction of high-fat diet with 0.5 mg/kg BW/ day propylthiouracil tablet for 70 days. On day 43, pioglitazone tablet was orally administered for 28 days until day 70. The parameters of liver function, lipid profile, and antioxidant status were measured, and liver morphological was observed. Dose 10 mg/kg BW/day showed the most significant decrease (p<0.05) of liver function and lipid profile comparing to the animal models. However, pioglitazone tablet at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW/ day showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) comparing to both negative control and normal groups. Thus, administration of pioglitazone tablet at a dose of 10 mg/kg BW/day possessed an ameliorating effect on the fatty liver condition in male Sprague-Dawley rats.