PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although the @entity12721 were introduced for the treatment of @entity4854 in @entity164 2 @entity6 , it became quickly apparent that these agents modulated many pathways related to vascular physiology and pathophysiology. Given the fact that @entity65 is the leading cause of @entity204 in @entity6 , it has become important to know whether these agents have vasculoprotective effects and if so whether these are associated with the prevention of @entity65 . RECENT FINDINGS: The @entity12585 class improves endothelial vasomotion, inhibits inflammatory and procoagulant processes and has powerful antiproliferative and antioxidant effects. Experimentally these agents retard @entity731 development in predisposed animals. Clinical studies demonstrate that they increase HDL @entity165 and LDL size, and may lower @entity412 levels. They modestly lower blood pressure, reduce microalbuminuria, arterial stiffness and reduce carotid wall thickening. These effects are generally independent of @entity413 lowering and in many instances have been shown to occur in nondiabetic subjects. A single clinical endpoint intervention trial of add-on @entity12098 treatment in @entity164 2 @entity6 @entity1 with @entity65 suggested on secondary analyses that the agent reduced cardiovascular events. SUMMARY: The weight of the experimental, subclinical and clinical assessments of the effects of these agents supports the contention that they are vasculoprotective. In the final analysis their use in clinical practice to prevent @entity65 will mostly depend on whether clinical trials consistently demonstrate that they reduced cardiovascular events.

XXXX and vascular damage.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity6 :: ('MESH:D003920', 'Disease') :: ['diabetic', 'diabetes'] @entity12585 :: ('MESH:C089946', 'Chemical') :: ['thiazolidinedione'] @entity12098 :: ('MESH:C060836', 'Chemical') :: ['pioglitazone'] @entity12721 :: ('MESH:D045162', 'Chemical') :: ['thiazolidinediones'] @entity412 :: ('CHEBI:17855', 'Chemical') :: ['triglyceride'] @entity164 :: ('MESH:D017827', 'Disease') :: ['type'] @entity413 :: ('MESH:D005947', 'Chemical') :: ['glucose'] @entity731 :: ('MESH:D050197', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerosis'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['death'] @entity4854 :: ('MESH:D006943', 'Disease') :: ['hyperglycemia'] @entity65 :: ('MESH:D002318', 'Disease') :: ['cardiovascular disease'] @entity165 :: ('MESH:D002784', 'Chemical') :: ['cholesterol']
@entity12721 :: (MESH:D045162,Chemical) :: ['Thiazolidinediones']
