Rethinking the role of pioglitazone in modern diabetology as a cardiorenoprotective agent

Abstract

Thiazolidinediones are insulin sensitizers – a class of antidiabetic drugs that reducing insulin resistance, convincingly improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition to glucose-reducing action, a representative of this class – pioglitazone in studies demonstrates other pleiotropic effects associated with a decrease in blood pressure, a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prothrombotic factors, correction of dyslipidemia and improving the state of the vascular wall. In accordance with these anti-atherogenic and metabolic effects of pioglitazone in patients with confirmed cardiovascular diseases, he reduced the frequency of development of large atherosclerotic events in prospective randomized clinical studies (studies of PROactive and IRIS), as well as in meta-analyses of all published studies of pioglitazone. Pioglitazone reduces albuminuria and proteinuria, mortality from all causes and cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In other studies, the intake of pioglitazone was associated with mobilization of fat from liver in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with an improvement in its function and a positive effect on fibrosis. This article also provides an analysis of unwanted phenomena that were noted during the study of pioglitazone. The identified weight increase, swelling, bone fractures of the limbs, have a rare frequency of occurrence and dose-dependent nature. Indeed, when using low doses of pioglitazone (7.5–30 mg/day), the ratio of benefit/risk for the drug seems very favorable. At the same time, the benefits of pioglitazone with a significant improvement in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes are higher with secondary than with primary prevention in patients with both 2TDM and prediabetes/insulin resistance, most likely due to positive effects on atherosclerosis