[Rediscovery of pioglitazone]

In the past decade and a half, clinical diabetology has undergone enormous development. New drug classes have appeared in everyday practice (GLP1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors), which are able to improve the outcome of cardiovascular (macrovascular) complications in diabetes within a few years or even a few months, in contrast to the drugs used in previous large, prospective studies (UKPDS, VADT). The use of thiazolidinediones (including pioglitazone) unfortunately and significantly has declined in recent years, both internationally and domestically, although tested in a randomized, controlled setting (PROactive, 2005), this drug was the first, one might say 'ahead of its time', that significantly reduced the composite clinical endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke, which became later well-known and took center stage as the 3-point MACE. In this paper, we summarize the most important evidence that accumulated with pioglitazone over the past years. We briefly overview the molecular, cellular and pathophysiological changes it causes, and then, in addition to discussing the cardiovascular, metabolic and other benefits, mention the previously suspected and now confirmed possible side effects. It is our belief that pioglitazone could be successfully used today as part of a combined treatment in properly selected patients, with due care, in the personalized treatment of type 2 diabetes. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(26): 1012-1019.