title: Implications of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone on cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Clinical data suggest that thiazolidinediones--specifically, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone--may improve cardiovascular risk factors through multiple mechanisms. Low insulin sensitivity has been described as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. Patients with insulin resistance often have several known risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Other emerging risk factors may be prevalent in patients with insulin resistance, such as hyperinsulinemia, elevated C-reactive protein, elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor levels, and small, dense, low-density lipoproteins. The only available drug class that primarily targets insulin resistance is the thiazolidinediones. These drugs have shown efficacy in affecting surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes mellitus. Alterations in these risk factors are likely due to their effects on improving insulin sensitivity and/or glycemic control. Trials to assess whether thiazolidinediones actually reduce cardiovascular outcomes are continuing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79430-8162, USA. brian.irons@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Irons
authors.forename: Ronald Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mazzolini
authors.forename: Krystal L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Rebecca B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Sleeper
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D018570:Risk Assessment; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D000077205:Pioglitazone