title: Effects of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Agonist Pioglitazone on Peripheral Vessel Function and Clinical Parameters in Nondiabetic Patients: A Double-Center, Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the advanced therapy with statins, antithrombotics, and antihypertensive agents, the medical treatment of atherosclerotic disease is less than optimal. Therefore, additional therapeutic antiatherosclerotic options are desirable. This pilot study was performed to assess the potential antiatherogenic effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone in nondiabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 54 nondiabetic patients were observed in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized to pioglitazone or placebo. The following efficacy parameters were determined by serial analyses: artery pulse wave analysis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), static and dynamic retinal vessel function, and the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). The main secondary endpoint was the change in different biochemical markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 9 months, no relevant differences could be determined in the two treatment groups in PWV (pioglitazone 14.3 ± 4.4 m/s vs. placebo 14.2 ± 4.2 m/s), retinal arterial diameter (pioglitazone 112.1 ± 23.3 µm vs. placebo 117.9 ± 21.5 µm) or IMT (pioglitazone 0.85 ± 0.30 mm vs. placebo 0.79 ± 0.15 mm). Additionally, there were no differences in the change in biochemical markers like cholesteryl ester transfer protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or white blood cell count.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist in nondiabetic patients did not improve the function of large and small peripheral vessels (PPP Trial, clinicaltrialsregister.eu: 2006-000186-11).
authors.affiliation: Heart Center, University Hospital, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christoph
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herold
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berg-Holldack
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rauwolf
authors.forename: Tjalf
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ziemssen
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmeisser
authors.forename: Sönke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weinert
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ebner
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Ruth H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Strasser
authors.forename: Ruediger C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Braun-Dullaeus
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077205:Pioglitazone