Pioglitazone and mechanisms of CV protection

Background and Aim: Proglitazone has diverse multiple effects on metabolic and inflammatory processes that have the potential to influence cardiovascular disease pathophysiology at various points in the disease process, including atherogenesis, plaque inflammation, plaque rupture, haemostatic disturbances and microangiopathy. Results: Linking the many direct and indirect effects on the vasculature to the reduction in key macrovascular outcomes reported with pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes presents a considerable challenge However, recent large-scale clinical cardiovascular imaging studies are beginning to provide some mechanistic insights, including a potentially important role for improvements in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with pioglitazone In addition to a role in prevention, animal studies also suggest that pioglitazone may minimize damage and improve recovery during and after ischaemic cardio- and cerebrovascular events. Design and Methods: In this review, we consider potential cardiovascular protective mechanisms of pioglitazone by linking preclinical data and clinical cardiovascular outcomes guided by insights from recent imaging studies. Conclusion: Proglitazone may influence CVD pathophysiology at multiple points in the disease process, including atherogenesis, plaque inflammation, plaque rupture and haemostatic disturbances e thrombus/embolism formation), as well as microangiopathy