Troglitazone (Rezulin) : Withdrawn from the U.S market in 2000 due to hepatotoxicity.
Action: Decrease in insulin resistance at peripheral sites and in the liver that results in increased insulin-dependent glucose disposal and decreased hepatic glucose output.
Peak Concentration : 2 to 4 hours
Initial Response : 4 weeks
Selective binding at the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor- gamma (PPAR-g),which is found in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, pancreatic beta-cells, vascular endothelium ,macrophages and the liver.
Troglitazone and Rosiglitazone : purely PPAR-g agonists
Pioglitazone : some PPAR-a effects expressed mostly in liver, heart, skeletal muscle and vascular walls.This may account for the different effects on lipids.