title: Thiazolidinediones: effects on insulin resistance and the cardiovascular system.
abstract: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have been used for the treatment of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes for the past 10 years. They may delay the development of type 2 diabetes in individuals at high risk of developing the condition, and have been shown to have potentially beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. TZDs act as agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) primarily in adipose tissue. PPAR-gamma receptor activation by TZDs improves insulin sensitivity by promoting fatty acid uptake into adipose tissue, increasing production of adiponectin and reducing levels of inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Clinically, TZDs have been shown to reduce measures of atherosclerosis such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). However, in spite of beneficial effects on markers of cardiovascular risk, TZDs have not been definitively shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients, and the safety of rosiglitazone in this respect has recently been called into question. Dual PPAR-alpha/gamma agonists may offer superior treatment of insulin resistance and cardioprotection, but their safety has not yet been assured.
authors: Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. cathyquinn25@hotmail.com
authors: C E
authors: CE
authors: Quinn
authors: P K
authors: PK
authors: Hamilton
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Lockhart
authors: G E
authors: GE
authors: McVeigh
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047493:PPAR alpha; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077154:Rosiglitazone