The effect of muraglitazar on adiponectin signalling, mitochondrial function and fat oxidation genes in human skeletal muscle in vivo

Aims The molecular mechanisms by which muraglitazar (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ/α agonist) improves insulin sensitivity in Type 2 diabetes mellitus are not fully understood. We hypothesized that muraglitazar would increase expression of 5′‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase and genes involved in adiponectin signalling, free fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle. Methods Sixteen participants with Type 2 diabetes received muraglitazar, 5 mg/day (n = 12) or placebo (n = 4). Before and after 16 weeks, participants had vastus lateralis muscle biopsy followed by 180 min euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Results Muraglitazar increased plasma adiponectin (9.0 ± 1.1 to 17.8 ± 1.5 μg/ml, P