Abstract: AIM: To study the effects of pioglitazone on the metabolism of glucose and lipid in animals.METHODS: The antidiabetic effects of pioglitazone were examined in normal SD rats, hyperlipidemia Wistar rats induced by specific forage breeding and fatty model rats induced by subcutaneous injections of monosodium glutamate in newborn rats.RESULTS: When piglitazone (6,12, and 24mg·kg^-1) orally given to normal SD rats, serum trigliceride decreased significantly, however, serum glucose did not change.Serum trigliceride and serum non-esterified fatty acid also decreased strikingly by pioglitazone in hyperlipidemia rats, and serum glucose did not alter, either. In fatty model rats, serum glucose, trigliceride and non-esterified fatty acid were improved by pioglitatazone.CONCLUSION: pioglitazone shows different effects on lipid and glucose metabolism in normal, hyperlipidemia and fatty model rats.

Key words: pioglitazone, fatty model rats, serum glucose, hyperlipidemia, non-esterified fatty acid