[Pioglitazone effects on blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome].

Metabolic syndrome is considered as clustering of cardiovascular risk factors related to insulin resistance. Pioglitazone is one of thiazolidinediones that acts as insulin sensitizer. Since insulin resistance plays a role in pathogenesis of hypertension, pioglitazone may subserve antihypertensive effect in subjects with metabolic syndrome. We reviewed literatures about the effects of pioglitazone on blood pressure. Although blood pressure lowering effect of pioglitazone is small, several clinical trials and a meta-analysis indicated that it decreases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Pioglitazone has favorable effects on important components of metabolic syndrome including blood pressure.