title: Pioglitazone: beyond glucose control.
abstract: Pioglitazone is an oral antidiabetic agent that decreases insulin resistance in adipose tissue, liver and muscles. This action is mediated by its link to a nuclear receptor called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. By improving insulin sensitivity, hepatic glucose production decreases and glucose uptake increases in the peripheral tissues. Beyond these effects on glucose metabolism, pioglitazone has positive effects on lipid metabolism, blood pressure, endothelial function, adiponectin and C-reactive protein levels. These make pioglitazone treatment effective beyond glucose control. In this article, current evidence concerning pioglitazone in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes and Metabolism, Dr Negrin Hospital, Las Palmas University, Spain. ppablos@dcmq.ulpgc.es
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Pablos-Velasco
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077205:Pioglitazone