Research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, showed that Pioglitazone, a PPAR-gamma agonist, lowered cardiovascular (CV) risk in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without impairing immune systems.

Pioglitazone was administered to 80 SLE patients for three months as part of the trial. Compared to placebo treatment, there was an improvement in the markers of vascular stiffness and cardiometabolic parameters (such as serum lipoproteins). The Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index was used to measure vascular stiffness (CAVI). It demonstrated a clear improvement when the active medication was used, declining by 0.32 points more than when a placebo was used (95 % CI -0.10 to -0.54).

The study found that Pioglitazone was well tolerated and greatly improved cardiometabolic indices and vascular stiffness in SLE patients. Pioglitazone also reduced insulin resistance, enhanced lipoprotein profiles, and significantly reduced the circulating neutrophil extracellular trap levels compared to placebo. The findings imply that more research into Pioglitazone as a moderator of cardiovascular disease risk in SLE is necessary. (MedPage Today August 4, 2022)