Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists and diabetes: current evidence and future perspectives.

Since their initial availability in 1997, the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have become one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications for type 2 diabetes. In addition to glucose control, the TZDs have a number of pleiotropic effects on myriad traditional and non-traditional risk factors for diabetes. TZDs may benefit cardiovascular parameters, such as lipids, blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, endothelial function and fibrinolytic state. In this review, we summarise the experimental, preclinical and clinical data regarding the effects of the TZDs in conditions for which they are indicated and discuss their potential in the treatment of other conditions.