Pioglitazone Reduces Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Insulin resistance is often associated with increased triglyceride (TG) and decreased HDL-choles-terol (HDL-C) concentrations and increased small LDL particles. The Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) has recently been proposed as a marker of plasma atheroge-nicity because it is increased in people at higher risk for coronary heart disease and is inversely correlated with LDL particle size. We studied the effect of pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione that reduces insulin resistance, on the AIP of patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The data for the analysis of AIP in this report were obtained from four randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Pioglitazone was used as monotherapy in one study and in combination therapy in three studies