Pioglitazone, a specific ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, protects pancreas against acute cerulein-induced pancreatitis

Figure 1 Pancreatic weight in rats with or without CIP pretreated with saline or pioglitazone at a dose 50 mg/kg. Mean±SE of eight rats in each experimental group. Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone. ^aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 2 Histological changes (edema, infiltration, and vacuolization) observed in rats with or without CIP and pretreated with saline or pioglitazone at a dose 50 mg/kg. Mean±SE of eight rats in each experimental group. Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone.aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 3 Plasma lipase activity in rats with or without CIP and pretreated with saline or pioglitazone at a dose 50 mg/kg. Mean±SE of eight rats in each experimental group. Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone. aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 4 Pancreatic DNA synthesis in rats with or without CIP and pretreated with saline or pioglitazone at a dose 50 mg/kg. Mean±SE of eight rats in each experimental group. Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone. aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 5 Pancreatic blood flow in rats with or without CIP and pretreated with saline or pioglitazone at a dose 50 mg/kg. Mean±SE of eight rats in each experimental group. Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone.aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 6 Plasma IL-1b and IL-10 levels in rats with or without CIP and pretreated with saline or pioglitazone at a dose 50 mg/kg. Mean±SE of eight rats in each experimental group. Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone.aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 7 Expression of IL-1b mRNA and densitometric analysis of IL-1b mRNA expression (IL-1b/GAPDH ratio) in rats infused with saline without pancreatitis (control), rats with CIP and rats with CIP pretreated with pioglitazone. (A,B) Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone.aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 8 Expression of HSP70 mRNA and densitometric analysis of HSP70 mRNA expression (HSP70/GAPDH ratio) in rats infused with saline without pancreatitis (control), rats with CIP and rats with CIP pretreated with pioglitazone. (A,B) Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone.aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.

Figure 9 Expression of HSP70 protein and densitometric analysis of HSP70 protein expression (HSP70/b-actin ratio) in rats infused with saline without pancreatitis (control), rats with CIP and rats with CIP pretreated with pioglitazone. (A,B) Asterisk indicates a significant change as compared to the value in rats infused with saline. Cross indicates a significant change as compared to rats with CIP alone.^aP<0.05 vs CIP alone.