Serum lipid peroxides and magnesium levels following three months of treatment with pioglitazone in patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

Background: Higher levels of lipid peroxidation and hypomagnesaemia are frequently associated with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Addressing these issues would definitely help us in preventing or prolonging the onset of pathogenesis of micro and macrovascular complications. Pioglitazone is used as a trusted insulin sensitizer and an adjuvant to the conventional oral hypoglycemic agents. This study was planned to explore the effects of pioglitazone on oxidative stress, serum magnesium, blood pressure, hepato-biliary and renal systems in addition to its effects on glycemic control. Methods: Sixty-three T2DM cases, who were started on pioglitazone were included in this study. All the physiological and biochemical parameters were estimated prior to and following three months of therapy with pioglitazone. Results: There was significant improvement in the glycemic control, serum magnesium and MDA levels with p values of 0.000, 0.023 and 0.000 respectively. Pioglitazone did not have any significant effects on the serum lipids and blood pressure in T2DM cases following three months of treatment. We did not observe any pronounced changes in hepato-biliary enzymes, serum urea and creatinine levels reaffirming safety of pioglitazone in T2DM. Conclusion: Three-month duration of treatment with Pioglitazone in T2DM cases helps in alleviating the levels of lipid peroxides, besides being associated with improved serum magnesium status and glycemic control. (C) 2013 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.