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The article focuses on a study that evaluated the effectiveness of pioglitazone (PIO) and glimepiride (GLM) on adipose tissue distribution. It states that there were changes in BMI, waist-hip ratio, and abdominal adipose tissue distribution based on the measurement made through the use of electron beam tomography. The findings indicate that the ratio of visceral to total adipose tissue volume tended to increase with GLM and decrease with PIO.

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) manifest a form of dyslipidemia typified by high LDL particle concentration (PC), small LDL particle size (PS), and high triglyceride and low HDL-C levels. This diabetic dyslipidemia may contribute to the excess cardiovascular events seen in T2D. In CHICAGO, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, 72-week study, pioglitazone (PIO) was associated with less CIMT progression compared to glimepiride (GLM) in patients with T2D (N=462). We also observed significant improvements in TG and HDL-C levels with PIO vs GLM, with no difference in LDL-C levels. Here we report the results of the lipoprotein subfraction analysis. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and weeks 24, 48, and 72 (or time of withdrawal) for determination of PC and PS of VLDL, LDL, and HDL, measured by NMR spectroscopy. At Final Visit, PIO therapy produced a significant reduction in VLDL PS due to significant decreases in large and medium VLDL PC and increases in small VLDL PC. LDL PS significantly increased due to a significant reduction in small LDL and increase in large LDL PC. HDL PS also significantly increased due to a reduction in small and an increase in large HDL PC. In aggregate, the changes in lipoprotein subfraction distribution would be predicted to produce a reduction in CVD risk with PIO vs GLM and may contribute to beneficial effects of PIO on CIMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]