PPARγ agonist induced cardiac enlargement is associated with reduced fatty acid and increased glucose utilization in myocardium of Wistar rats

Abstract

In toxicological studies, high doses of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) agonists cause cardiac enlargement. To investigate whether this could be explained by a large shift from free fatty acid to glucose utilization by the heart, Wistar rats were treated for 2-3 weeks with a potent, selective PPARγ agonist (X334, 3 μmol/kg/d), or vehicle. X334 treatment increased body-weight gain and ventricular mass. Treatment lowered plasma triglycerides by 61%, free fatty acid levels by 72%, insulin levels by 45%, and reduced total plasma protein concentration by 7% (indicating plasma volume expansion) compared to vehicle animals. Fasting plasma glucose levels were unaltered. To a..