Pioglitazone protects vein grafts from oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular dysfunction

Background and Aims: The long-term patency rate of grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is low due to restenosis. Diabetes induces restenosis and vascular dysfunction leading to stimulation of inflammatory matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and oxidative stress. In our study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of high glucose on oxidative stress, expressions of MMP-2, MMP-14, TIMP-2, and vascular function and changes with pioglitazone in human saphenous vein (HSV) segments.