Skip to main content
. 2025 Aug 22;19:7293–7319. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S524893

Table 1.

Clinical Study of PPARγ Agonists

Drug Name Category Activation Effect136 Conclusion Article Type
Pioglitazone PPARγ Mono-Agonist α25.2%, δ0.518%, γ104%
PCG-1α>70%, SRC1>20%
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) showed a reduction in blood glucose levels; ALT levels decreased; Improvements in steatosis, ballooning degeneration, and lobular inflammation were observed137 RCT
The levels of fasting blood glucose, ALT, AST, γ-glutamyltransferase, and triglycerides were reduced, and insulin resistance was improved138 META
PPARγ activation-mediated improvements in tissue pathology, liver enzymes, HOMA-IR, and reductions in blood lipids were consistent in both non-diabetic NAFLD patients and diabetic NAFLD patients. The incidence of edema was higher in the pioglitazone group139 META
Improvement in left ventricular mechanics in undiagnosed ASCVD patients140 PCS
Fatty degeneration, inflammation, ballooning, and improvement in liver function; reduction in blood glucose; no significant improvement in fibrosis markers141 META
One year of low-dose pioglitazone treatment significantly improved hepatic fat degeneration and inflammation, as well as systemic and adipose tissue insulin resistance. The beneficial effects of pioglitazone on NAFLD were independent of blood glucose control142 RCT
Compared to the tofogliflozin group, pioglitazone treatment showed no significant difference in improving hepatic fat degeneration and blood glucose levels, but it significantly increased adiponectin and HDL levels, and notably reduced triglyceride levels, although it caused weight gain143 PCS
Pioglitazone shows better efficacy in women144 RCT
Pioglitazone is the optimal therapy for treating steatosis and alleviating lobular inflammation145 META
Decreased Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in the lumbar spine146 PCS
Serum ALT levels, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose were reduced; there was no significant reduction in visceral fat area147 PCS
The prevalence of bladder cancer was very low in diabetic patients exposed to (or not exposed to) pioglitazone (<0.3%), and the beneficial effects of the drug on CVD and NASH were much greater. Therefore, the use of pioglitazone should be resumed148 META
Rosiglitazone PPARγ Mono-Agonist Overall improvement in fatty degeneration, hepatocyte inflammation, ballooning degeneration, and fibrosis; serum transaminases were reduced149 PCS
Saroglitazar PPARα/γ Dual-Agonist α/δ13.3%, γ为24.9%PCG-1α <50%, SRC1<50% Improvement in liver enzymes, serum glucose, and lipid profile, along with reduced liver stiffness, with no significant adverse effects150 META
ALT, liver fat content, insulin resistance, and atherogenic dyslipidemia were improved151 RCT
Regardless of weight loss, significant reductions were observed in CAP value, ALT, AST, HbA1c, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels152 PCS
lanifibranor PPAR Pan-Agonist α56.4%, γ89.4%, δ6.0%PCG-1α >100%,SRC1<50% Liver enzyme levels were reduced, with improvements in lipids, inflammation, and fibrosis153 RCT
Aleglitazar PPARα/γ Dual-Agonist Improvements in hepatic steatosis and fibrosis154 RCT
Fenofibrate PPARα(/γ Dual) Agonist Serum triglyceride levels were reduced, but the overall liver volume and total liver fat volume increased.155 RCT
Inflammatory factors (TNF-α), liver function (ALT, AST, GGT), markers related to matrix deposition (HA), liver fibrosis-associated cytokine (TGF-β1), lipid profile (total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C), blood glucose levels (FPI, FBG, HOMA-IR), and liver stiffness were significantly reduced; HDL-C was significantly increased.156 PCS

Abbreviations: RCT, randomized controlled trial; META, Meta-analysis; PCS, Prospective Clinical Study.