Troglitazone (TGL), a thiazolidinedione compound that improves the response of peripheral
target tissue to insulin, also has anti-inflammatory properties, a potential means
of protection from Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes. In order to test the ability
of TGL to affect cytokine production, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy
donors were exposed to TGL in the presence or absence of a polyclonal activator (PHA)
and the production of cytokines assayed. TGL enhanced PHA response, promoted secretion
of the cytokines granulocyte and macrophage colony-stimulating factor and leukaemia
inhibitory factor and inhibited tumour necrosis factor-α secretion, consistent with
causing Th-2 differentiation in T-cells. These results suggest that TGL is capable
of modulating cytokine production and could therefore influence Th1/Th2 differentiation.
Key words
Troglitazone - Cytokines - Type 1 Diabetes
