RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist troglitazone on TGF-beta(1) and fibronectin (Fn) expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs).@*METHODS@#HPMCs were cultured from human omentum by an enzyme digestion method, growing in medium containing 30 mmol/L D-glucose. TGF-beta(1) and Fn expression were measured in HPMCs in the presence and absence of 15 micromol/L troglitazone. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-gamma,TGF-beta(1) and Fn were determined by semi-quantification reverse transcriptive PCR (RT-PCR). The protein of TGF-beta(1) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and proteins of PPAR-gamma and Fn were determined by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta(1) and Fn were significantly increased in HPMCs stimulated with 30 mmol/L D-glucose compared with the control group with F12 media (P<0.01). Obvious decrease of TGF-beta(1) was found in troglitazone(15 micromol/L) treated group compared with group stimulated with 30 mmol/L D-glucose (P<0.05). Exposure of HPMCs to troglitazone reduced the Fn secretion (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Troglitazone reduced the expression of TGF-beta(1) in HPMCs stimulated by 30mmol/L D-glucose, and reduced Fn production. PPAR-gamma agonists may have a specific role in ameliorating the course of progressive peritoneal fibrosis under long-term peritoneal dialysis states.