Results and Clinical Implications of the PROactive Study
Results and Clinical Implications of the PROactive Study
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), or glitazones, are a relatively new class of oral drugs that are used to treat type 2 diabetes. They lower blood glucose by targeting insulin resistance, one of the major underlying causes of the disease. In addition to their ability to lower blood glucose, TZDs also display a wide range of effects on lipids, blood pressure, weight, and other cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. As with all other drugs, they can be associated with undesirable side effects.
Since TZDs, in general, have a net favorable impact on blood lipid levels, may be associated with a reduction in blood pressure, and have positive effects on other physiological parameters associated with vascular disease (e.g., decreasing vascular inflammation, reducing insulin resistance), they have the potential to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in addition to lowering blood glucose.
Because of the above favorable actions of TZDs, the PROspective pioglitAzone Clinical Trial (PROactive) was initiated to assess the effects of pioglitazone (Actos; Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly) on the secondary prevention of macrovascular events in type 2 diabetic patients.
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), or glitazones, are a relatively new class of oral drugs that are used to treat type 2 diabetes. They lower blood glucose by targeting insulin resistance, one of the major underlying causes of the disease. In addition to their ability to lower blood glucose, TZDs also display a wide range of effects on lipids, blood pressure, weight, and other cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. As with all other drugs, they can be associated with undesirable side effects.
Since TZDs, in general, have a net favorable impact on blood lipid levels, may be associated with a reduction in blood pressure, and have positive effects on other physiological parameters associated with vascular disease (e.g., decreasing vascular inflammation, reducing insulin resistance), they have the potential to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in addition to lowering blood glucose.
Because of the above favorable actions of TZDs, the PROspective pioglitAzone Clinical Trial (PROactive) was initiated to assess the effects of pioglitazone (Actos; Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly) on the secondary prevention of macrovascular events in type 2 diabetic patients.