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The effects of the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone on plasma concentrations of circulating vasoactive factors in type II diabetes mellitus

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 24, pages 74–76 (2010)Cite this article

The use of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist pioglitazone, which is registered as an oral antidiabetic drug, has consistently been associated with a decrease in blood pressure (BP) of about 3–5 mm Hg. The present study evaluates the effects of pioglitazone treatment on circulating levels of vasoactive factors in a randomized controlled crossover trial in patients with type II diabetes (T2DM). We here report that pioglitazone does not alter the circulating levels of renin, prorenin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, endothelin, atrial and brain natriuretic peptide (ANP, BNP) and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO). Effects of pioglitazone on BP (or cardiovascular events) are likely to be mediated through other mechanisms.

Activation of the PPAR-γ leads to hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects. Therefore, potent synthetic ligands called thiazolidinediones (TZDs, like pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) have been developed and are currently used as glucose-lowering agents in the treatment of T2DM.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (Grants 2004T004 and 2007T046). The Dutch affiliate of Eli Lilly and Company financially supported this study by an unrestricted grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    R A de Boer & I Kuipers

  2. Department of Cardiology, Deventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands

    F M A C Martens

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Vascular Pharmacology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    F Boomsma

  4. Department of Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    F L J Visseren

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  1. R A de Boer
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  2. F M A C Martens
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  3. I Kuipers
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  4. F Boomsma
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  5. F L J Visseren
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Correspondence to R A de Boer.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Human Hypertension website (http://www.nature.com/jhh)

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de Boer, R., Martens, F., Kuipers, I. et al. The effects of the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone on plasma concentrations of circulating vasoactive factors in type II diabetes mellitus. J Hum Hypertens 24, 74–76 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2009.84

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