title: Pioglitazone reduces monocyte activation in type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Inflammation is involved in the pathophysiologic process of atherosclerosis, a frequent complication of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on systemic inflammatory markers and activation of circulating monocytes in type 2 diabetic patients through the dosage of IL-6. Twenty-four metformin-treated patients, in good glycemic control, were randomized to add pioglitazone for 8 weeks or to continue their previous treatment. Blood samples were collected before and at the end of the study to evaluate: serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6 and leukocyte activation. IL-6 production of circulating monocytes after LPS stimulation was similar at baseline and showed a 54% reduction in pioglitazone-group at 8 weeks (9.1 pg/mL, range 0.0-24.3, P=0.04 vs. baseline) while, in controls, did not change at 8 weeks (16.9 pg/mL, range 1.5-58.8). Treatment with pioglitazone, associated with metformin, showed a reduction of IL-6 monocyte production after their in vitro activation with LPS.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Institute, Catholic University, Largo A.Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy. dario.pitocco@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pitocco
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giubilato
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaccardi
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Stasio
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buffon
authors.forename: Luigi M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Biasucci
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liuzzo
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crea
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ghirlanda
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008687:Metformin; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones