Open AccessWill the potential of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor agonists be realized in the clinical setting?
Author(s) -
Blaschke Florian,
Bruemmer Dennis,
Law Ronald E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960271603
Subject(s) - medicine , thiazolidinedione , peroxisome proliferator activated receptor , rosiglitazone , insulin resistance , clinical trial , inflammation , ppar agonist , pharmacology , receptor , diabetes mellitus , bioinformatics , type 2 diabetes , endocrinology , biology
Drugs targeting both peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPAR‐γ) agonists (the thiazolidinediones) and PPAR‐α (the fibrates) have already been developed for clinical use. However, the thiazolidinediones, currently prescribed to treat hyperglycemia and improve peripheral insulin resistance, may also have cardiovascular benefits that have yet to be fully realized. Animal models of atherosclerosis have shown that the thiazolidinediones reduce the extent of atherosclerotic lesions and inhibit macrophage accumulation. Clinical studies have also shown that these drugs improve the lipid profile of patients at risk of developing atherosclerosis and reduce circulating levels of inflammatory markers. This combination of lower lipid concentrations and reduced inflammation may explain the cardiovascular benefits of this class of drugs. Early trials in patients with coronary stents have reported promising findings, with restenosis rates being greatly reduced with thiazolidinedione therapy. It is hoped that the results of future clinical trials will continue to be encouraging, so that the thiazolidinediones' cardiovascular benefits can be fully realized in the clinic.