Rosiglitazone reduces plasma levels of inflammatory and hemostatic biomarkers and improves global endothelial function in habitual heavy smokers without diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Thiazolidinediones have anti-atherothrombotic effects in diabetic patients. However, the effects of rosiglitazone on inflammatory and hemostatic markers, as well as global endothelial function in non-diabetic smokers are unknown.


METHODS
Twenty-seven healthy male heavy smokers without metabolic syndrome were enrolled in this double-blind, controlled study. Fourteen subjects received 4 mg/day rosiglitazone for 8 weeks (group R) and 13 subjects received placebo (group C). Changes in the reflection index (Delta RI) of beta-agonist-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by photoplethysmography and plasma biomarkers were measured before and after treatment.


RESULTS
Matrix metalloproteinase-9, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were reduced significantly in group R after treatment as compared with the baseline [84.1 (45.6 139.0) vs. 123.9 (58.4 141.8) ng/mL, p = 0.03; 2914 (2400-3553) vs. 3220 (2542-3940) mg/L, p = 0.04; and 3.4 (2.2 5.1) vs. 5.5 (4.1 6.8) mg/L, p = 0.009, respectively]. Delta RI was improved markedly in group R as compared with the baseline [13.5 (4.2 65.1) vs. 2.5 (-10.6 to 9.3)%; p = 0.024]. These biomarkers and Delta RI did not differ significantly in the group C. There were no significant changes in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment index, and lipid profile in both groups R and group C.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosiglitazone significantly reduces plasma levels of inflammatory and hemostatic biomarkers, and restores global endothelial dysfunction, independently from insulin sensitization, in healthy smokers.
Chen
I-Chih
IC
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chao
Ting-Hsing
TH
Tsai
Wei-Chuan
WC
Li
Yi-Heng
YH
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004727:Endothelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors / Q000502:physiology; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017156:Photoplethysmography / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D012907:Smoking; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9