The effect of lovastatin on pharmacokinetics of pioglitazone has been carried out in albino rats. The rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1: Normal control rats: Treated with vehicle (1% DMSO), Group 2: Diabetic control rats: Diabetes induction and no treatment, Group 3: Treatment Group: Diabetic rats treated with oral administration of pioglitazone (3 mg/kg), Group 4: Treatment Group: Diabetic rats treated with combination of lovastatin (2 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (1.5 mg/kg), Group 5: Treatment Group: Diabetic rats treated with combination of lovastatin (2 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (3 mg/kg).Treatment was continued for 7 days and on the last day blood was collected through retro orbital puncture. The pharmacokinetic parameters like half life, area under curve, clearance, peak time and peak concentration of pioglitazone, with and without combination of lovastatin treatment were determined. The increase in pioglitazone concentration might be due to interaction of lovastatin at metabolic enzyme (Cytochrome P450 3A4). Increase in area under curve of pioglitazone indicates the raised bioavailability in presence of lovastatin. The results of the present study indicated that lovastatin has influence on pharmacokinetics of pioglitazone. The concomitant administration of pioglitazone and lovastatin should be used in caution.
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