Rosiglitazone Reduces Plasma Levels of Inflammatory and Hemostatic Biomarkers and Improves Global Endothelial Function in Habitual Heavy Smokers Without Diabetes Mellitus or Metabolic Syndrome
Received 18 February 2009; received in revised form 5 April 2009; accepted 24 June 2009.
Background/Purpose
Thiazolidinediones have anti-atherothrombotic effects in diabetic patients. However, the effects of rosiglitazone on inflammatory and hemostatic markers, as well as global endothelial function in non-diabetic smokers are unknown.
Methods
Twenty-seven healthy male heavy smokers without metabolic syndrome were enrolled in this double-blind, controlled study. Fourteen subjects received 4 mg/day rosiglitazone for 8 weeks (group R) and 13 subjects received placebo (group C). Changes in the reflection index (ΔRI) of β-agonist-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by photoplethysmography and plasma biomarkers were measured before and after treatment.
Results
Matrix metalloproteinase-9, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were reduced significantly in group R after treatment as compared with the baseline [84.1 (45.6 139.0) vs. 123.9 (58.4 141.8) ng/mL, p = 0.03; 2914 (2400-3553) vs. 3220 (2542-3940) mg/L, p = 0.04; and 3.4 (2.2 5.1) vs. 5.5 (4.1 6.8) mg/L, p = 0.009, respectively]. ΔRI was improved markedly in group R as compared with the baseline [13.5 (4.2 65.1) vs. 2.5 (−10.6 to 9.3)%; p = 0.024]. These biomarkers and ΔRI did not differ significantly in the group C. There were no significant changes in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment index, and lipid profile in both groups R and group C.
Conclusion
Rosiglitazone significantly reduces plasma levels of inflammatory and hemostatic biomarkers, and restores global endothelial dysfunction, independently from insulin sensitization, in healthy smokers.
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aDivision of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
bCardiovascular Research Center, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
cDivision of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
dDepartment of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Dou-Liou Branch, Dou-Liou, Taiwan
Correspondence to: Dr Ting-Hsing Chao, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine and Hospital, 138 Sheng Li Road, Tainan, Taiwan
ABSTRACT