Comparative effects of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone on fasting and postprandial low-density lipoprotein size and subclasses in patients with Type 2 diabetes

To assess the effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on fasting and postprandial low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size and subclasses in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Nine Type 2 diabetic patients (age 61 +/- 10 years, body mass index 30 +/- 5 kg/m(2), glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] 7.5 +/- 0.5%) were randomized in a crossover trial to rosiglitazone 4 mg b.i.d. or pioglitazone 45 mg/day for 12 weeks with an 8-week wash-out period. LDL size and subclasses were determined by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. A standardized breakfast was served and variables were assessed after 3 and 6 h.HbA1c, insulin sensitivity (as assessed by the homeostasis model assessment) and…