Abstract

BACKGROUND
The effects and mechanisms of PPARgamma ligands on the cell proliferation in pancreatic beta cells were examined. METHODS: PPARgamma 1 cDNA was overexpressed in INS-1 cells using an adenoviral vector. The cell proliferations were measured by the MTT assay method, following the treatments with troglitazone (TGZ), rosiglitazone (RGZ), 15d-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) or retinoic acid (RA), at increasing doses, in INS-1 and PPARgamma overexpressed INS-1 cells. The apoptosis, telomere length and cell cycles were determined after the PPARgamma ligand treatment. RESULTS: The long-term incubation, with PPARgamma ligands over 24 hr, inhibited the INS-1 cell proliferation rate. Apoptosis was not observed with the PPARgamma ligand treatment. G1 cell cycle arrest was observed with the troglitazone treatment. The telomere length remained unchanged following the TGZ treatment. The basal cell proliferation rate was unaffected by the overexpression of PPARgamma . After 48 h of TGZ treatment, the proliferation of the INS-1 cells was inhibited, in a dose- dependent manner, both with and without the overexpression. Moreover, the degree of inhibition was exaggerated in the PPARgamma overexpressed cells compared to beta gal overexpressed cells. CONCLUSION: PPARgamma ligands have direct inhibitory effects on the proliferation of INS-1 cells. Although the basal cell proliferation rate was not affected by PPARgamma overexpression, the PPARgamma overexpression and PPARgamma ligands have a synergistic inhibitory effect on the cell proliferation rate in pancreatic beta cells. G1 cell cycle arrest may be involved in the reduction of cell proliferation due to PPARgamma ligands.

• Keywords: PPARgamma;Thiazolidinediones;beta Cell proliferation;