Thiazolidinediones

Other names: glitazones

What are Thiazolidinediones?

Thiazolidinediones (also called glitazones) are a class of medicines that may be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They are a type of oral hypoglycemic (a medicine that lowers blood glucose levels).

Thiazolidinediones bind to a receptor called the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma in adipocytes (fat cells) and promote maturation of fat cells and deposition of fat into peripheral tissues. By reducing circulating fat concentrations, thiazolidinediones improve a person with type 2 diabetes‘ sensitivity to insulin.

Thiazolidinediones may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other oral agents for type 2 diabetes, such as metformin or sulphonylureas. Weight gain and an increase in peripheral fat mass is a side effect of thiazolidinediones.

Thiazolidinediones do not stimulate insulin secretion. They act by improving insulin sensitivity via activation of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

An example of a glitazone is pioglitazone or Actos, the only member of the group of medications that are currently licenced for use in the UK.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance coupled with an inability to produce enough insulin to control blood glucose, and thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are the only current antidiabetic agents that function primarily by increasing insulin sensitivity.