Pioglitazone reduces atherogenic outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-atherogenic outcomes of pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione derivative, in type 2 diabetic patients.


METHODS
Eight patients with poor diabetic control were treated with 15 mg of pioglitazone for 4 months. Blood samples were collected monthly, and the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and lipids, such as triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, were measured. Other parameters, including immunorecative insulin (IRI), remnant-like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C), adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha , leptin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitivity (hs)-C-reactive protein (CRP), were examined at the beginning and end of the study. In addition, clinically adverse side-effects were evaluated.


RESULTS
Treatment with pioglitazone significantly decreased the levels of HbA1c, FPG, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, RLP-C, PAI-1, TNF- alpha , and hs-CRP, but not the level, IRI, lipids, or leptin. In contrast, adverse side-effects, including body weight gain, liver dysfunction and edema, were not observed during this study.


CONCLUSIONS
These results strongly suggested that treatment with pioglitazone has a greater clinical benefit for the prevention of atherosclerosis, including coronary heart diseases, without any adverse side-effects.
Igarashi
Masahiko
M
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. migarasi@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Hirata
Akihiko
A
Yamaguchi
Hiroshi
H
Jimbu
Yumi
Y
Tominaga
Makoto
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014280:Triglycerides; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human