Addressing the insulin resistance syndrome: a role for the thiazolidinediones.

The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mirrored by increasing prevalence of the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS) or Metabolic Syndrome. Accumulating data indicate that insulin resistance is the common denominator underlying this cluster of related CVD risk factors. Therapeutic interventions that address insulin resistance and other components of the IRS may be of benefit in reducing the significant health and socioeconomic burden presented by diabetes and CVD. Evidence is discussed that the thiazolidinediones, which improve glycemic control by directly targeting insulin resistance, have the additional benefit of improving many of the CVD risk factors in the IRS, and thus have the potential to reduce CVD in patients with type 2 diabetes.