The medication class of thiazolidinedione (sometimes referred to as 'glitazones') was introduced in the late 1990s as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes mellitus (type 2) and related diseases.

Mode of action

Thiazolidinediones or TZDs act by binding to PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), a group of receptor molecules inside the cell nucleus, specifically PPARγ (gamma). The normal ligands for these receptors are free fatty acids (FFAs) and eicosanoids. When activated, the receptor migrates to the DNA, activating transcription of a number of specific genes.

Genes upregulated by PPARγ can be found in the main article on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.

By activating PPARγ:

• Insulin resistance is decreased
• Adipocyte differentiation is modified
• VEGF-induced angiogenesis is inhibited^[1]
• Leptin levels decrease (leading to an increased appetite)
• Levels of certain interleukins (e.g. IL-6) fall
• Adiponectin levels rise

Members of the class

  Chemically, the members of this class are derivatives of the parent compound thiazolidinedione, and include:

• Rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• Pioglitazone (Actos)
• Troglitazone (Rezulin), which was withdrawn from the market due to an increased incidence of drug-induced hepatitis.

Experimental agents include MCC-555, a powerful antidiabetic agent and the early non-marketed thiazolidinedione ciglitazone.

Uses

The only approved use of the thiazolidinediones is in diabetes mellitus type 2.

It is being investigated experimentally in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH),^[2] psoriasis,^[3] and other conditions.^[4]

Several forms of lipodystrophy cause insulin resistance, which has responded favorably to thiazolidinediones. There are some indications that thiazolidinediones provide some degree of the protection against initial stages of the breast carcinoma development.

Side effects and contraindications

The withdrawal of troglitazone has led to concerns of other thiazolidinediones increasing the risk of hepatitis. Guidelines now mention that for the first year of thiazolidinedione therapy, a two- or three-monthly check of liver enzymes is conducted to ascertain that no liver damage is occurring.

The main side effect of all thiazolidinediones is fluid retention, leading to edema, weight gain, and potentially aggravating heart failure. Therefore, thiazolidinediones should not be prescribed in patients with decreased ventricular function (NYHA grade III or IV heart failure).

Recent studies have shown there may be an increase risk of coronary heart disease with Rosiglitazone.^[5] However, the PROactive study has shown that pioglitazone does not have this same risk.