Protective effects of a PPARγ agonist pioglitazone on anti-oxidative system in testis of diabetic rabbits

In the present study, modulation of oxidative stress by pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) agonist, was examined in testis of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. In diabetic animals, an increase in the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes: superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), and in the level of glutathione (GSH) but a decrease in the level of ascorbic acid (AA) were observed. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in testicular lipid and protein oxidation. Pioglitazone affected the activity of Cu,Zn-SOD, normalized the activity of CAT, the level of AA as well as the levels of LPO and PCG without having any significant effect on blood glucose level.