RESULTS	Diet plus pioglitazone , as compared with diet plus placebo , improved glycemic control and glucose tolerance ( P < 0.001 ) , normalized liver aminotransferase levels as it decreased plasma aspartate aminotransferase levels ( by 40 % vs. 21 % , P = 0.04 ) , decreased alanine aminotransferase levels ( by 58 % vs. 34 % , P < 0.001 ) , decreased hepatic fat content ( by 54 % vs. 0 % , P < 0.001 ) , and increased hepatic insulin sensitivity ( by 48 % vs. 14 % , P = 0.008 ) .\