The impact of rosiglitazone on nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial function

Abstract

Clinical studies have demonstrated that rosiglitazone can improve vascular function in patients with diabetes mellitus. It remains unclear whether this effect depends on a direct improvement in endothelial function or whether it is mediated by the drug’s effect on glycemic control. Yet, rosiglitazone has been linked to serious cardiovascular events. A number of studies recently investigated whether rosiglitazone affects endothelial function in healthy volunteers and patients with cardiovascular disease. Controversial observations have been reported; the observation that rosiglitazone might in certain cases impair endothelial function may suggest a mechanistic explanation for the observation of increased cardiovascular events in patients treated with rosiglitazone who have underlying cardiovascular disease. These studies are summarized and discussed in the present paper.