Pioglitazone treatment may lead to anti-atherogenic alterations of lipoproteins through increasing serum adiponectin in statin-treated diabetes patients

Objectives: Pioglitazone (PGZ), an insulin-sensitizing agent, has been reported to alter circulating lipids, including triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and adiponectin (ADPN) levels. However, clinical effects of PGZ on the quality of lipoproteins have not been fully defined. We aimed to clarify the clinical association of PGZ treatment with the ratios of lipoproteins to apolipoproteins and the ADPN levels in statin-treated diabetes patients.