Toxic effect of troglitazone on cultured rat hepatocytes.

We examined the cytotoxicity of troglitazone toward cultured rat hepatocytes. The drug concentration- and time-dependently decreased cell viability and increased lactate dehydrogenase leakage from the cells. Troglitazone-induced cell death was characterized by "DNA ladders", condensation of nuclei, and a positive reaction to in situ nick-end labeling. The results indicate that troglitazone can cause apoptotic cell death in cultured rat hepatocytes.