Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a group of structurally related peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists with antidiabetic actions in vivo. Darglitazone is a TZD that increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin, stimulating insulin-induced PI3K activity at submicromolar concentrations by increasing the expression of the p85 subunit of PI3K. It increases insulin effectiveness in obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus subjects. Darglitazone promotes adipocyte differentiation by up-regulating the expression of uncoupling protein-2. Through PPARγ, darglitazone restores acute inflammatory responses to cerebral hypoxia-ischemia and reduces infarct size in diabetic ob/ob mice.
