<p>PPAR agonists have been suggested as novel therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory lung disease, such as allergic asthma. Treatment with PPAR agonists have been shown to inhibit peripheral eosinophilia in murine models of allergic asthma, which can occur through several mechanisms including decreased cytokine/chemoattractant (IL-5/eotaxin) release, decreased eosinophil migration and/or decreased eosinophil differentiation. This is the first study to show that PPARγ is expressed at the protein level in human airway eosinophils sampled from induced sputum, and confirms PPARγ protein expression in human peripheral blood eosinophils. We demonstrated the novel observation that peripheral blood eosinophil PPARγ protein expression, as measured by flow cytometry, is not different in eosinophils purified from asthmatic subjects compared to healthy controls and these observations suggest that the level of PPARγ expressed in human eosinophils is not related to asthmatic status. Our study also confirms, by real time PCR, the detection of mRNA for PPARγ in airway-derived leukocytes, collected from bronchial washings, increases 24hrs after whole lung allergen challenge. This increase is regulated by Symbicort® and Pulmicort® treatment in most subjects. This is the first study to show increased chemokinesis (random stimulated movement) of eosinophils <em>in vitro</em> at low concentrations of a PPARγ agonist. We have generated data to suggest this is through an effect on calcium signalling. We also observed that higher concentrations of PPAR agonists directly inhibit eotaxin-stimulated eosinophil directional migration. Finally, using methycellulose cultures of non-adherent mononuclear cells and CD34+ progenitor cells, we demonstrate that PPAR activation can inhibit the differentiation of eosinophils <em>in vitro</em>. Collectively, these data demonstrate that PPARγ is expressed consitutively on eosinophils in peripheral blood and airways, and suggest signaling through this receptor with nanomolar concentrations of agonist regulates eosinophilia through inhibition of both eosinophil migration and eosinophil differentiation.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

It has long been known that in addition to disruptions in glucose homeostasis, individuals with insulin resistance have a breakdown in lipid dynamics, often manifested by elevated levels of circulating fatty acids (FA) together with accumulation of lipids in insulin-sensitive tissues, including skeletal muscle. However, little is known about how common therapies used to treat insulin resistant individuals (such as Rosiglitazone and exercise training) improve skeletal muscle lipid and glucose metabolism. Thus, the primary aim of the studies undertaken for this thesis was to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms by which Rosiglitazone and exercise training improve skeletal muscle lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in two distinct models of insulin resistance. The first investigation determined the effect of chronic Rosiglitazone treatment on the accumulation of lipid metabolites and enzymatic regulators of lipid metabolism in the skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats. The observation that Rosiglitazone treatment exacerbated the accumulation of muscle ceramide and diacylglycerol in skeletal muscle, while improving glucose tolerance led to the conclusion that this insulin sensitising drug improves insulin sensitivity by mechanisms other than reduction of fatty acid metabolites in this tissue. Accordingly, the second investigation sought to identify an alternative mechanism by which Rosiglitazone treatment may improve skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. It was found that Rosiglitazone restored AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) á2 activity in the skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats, providing a potential peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) ã-independent mechanism by which this drug may mediate its insulinsensitising actions. The final experiment undertaken for this thesis determined the independent and interactive effects on Rosiglitazone and exercise training on various aspects of skeletal muscle glucose and lipid metabolism in a model of diet-induced insulin resistance, the high-fat fed rat. Exercise training, but not Rosiglitazone treatment restored skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in high-fat fed rats. Improvements in insulin sensitivity with exercise training were associated with increased FA oxidation, increased AMPK activity and a normalisation of the expression of the Akt substrate, AS160. In contrast, Rosiglitazone treatment was associated with increased FA uptake and decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Exercise prevented the accumulation of skeletal muscle lipids in Rosiglitazone-treated animals when the two treatments were combined. In summary, the results from the studies undertaken for this thesis provide novel information regarding the mechanisms by which two insulinsensitising therapies, exercise training and Rosiglitazone treatment, act to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle.It has long been known that in addition to disruptions in glucose homeostasis, individuals with insulin resistance have a breakdown in lipid dynamics, often manifested by elevated levels of circulating fatty acids (FA) together with accumulation of lipids in insulin-sensitive tissues, including skeletal muscle. However, little is known about how common therapies used to treat insulin resistant individuals (such as Rosiglitazone and exercise training) improve skeletal muscle lipid and glucose metabolism. Thus, the primary aim of the studies undertaken for this thesis was to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms by which Rosiglitazone and exercise training improve skeletal muscle lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in two distinct models of insulin resistance. The first investigation determined the effect of chronic Rosiglitazone treatment on the accumulation of lipid metabolites and enzymatic regulators of lipid metabolism in the skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats. The observation that Rosiglitazone treatment exacerbated the accumulation of muscle ceramide and diacylglycerol in skeletal muscle, while improving glucose tolerance led to the conclusion that this insulin sensitising drug improves insulin sensitivity by mechanisms other than reduction of fatty acid metabolites in this tissue. Accordingly, the second investigation sought to identify an alternative mechanism by which Rosiglitazone treatment may improve skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. It was found that Rosiglitazone restored AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) á2 activity in the skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats, providing a potential peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) ã-independent mechanism by which this drug may mediate its insulinsensitising actions. The final experiment undertaken for this thesis determined the independent and interactive effects on Rosiglitazone and exercise training on various aspects of skeletal muscle glucose and lipid metabolism in a model of diet-induced insulin resistance, the high-fat fed rat. Exercise training, but not Rosiglitazone treatment restored skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in high-fat fed rats. Improvements in insulin sensitivity with exercise training were associated with increased FA oxidation, increased AMPK activity and a normalisation of the expression of the Akt substrate, AS160. In contrast, Rosiglitazone treatment was associated with increased FA uptake and decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Exercise prevented the accumulation of skeletal muscle lipids in Rosiglitazone-treated animals when the two treatments were combined. In summary, the results from the studies undertaken for this thesis provide novel information regarding the mechanisms by which two insulinsensitising therapies, exercise training and Rosiglitazone treatment, act to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is an insulin-sensitizing drug used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Clinical trials show that women taking RSG experience more limb fractures than patients taking other T2DM drugs. The purpose of this study is to understand how RSG (3mg/kg/day and 10mg/kg/day) and the bisphosphonate alendronate (0.7mg/kg/week) alter bone quality in the male, female and female ovariectomized (OVX) Zucker fatty rat model over a 12 week period. Bone quality was evaluated by mechanical testing of cortical and trabecular bone. Microarchitecture, bone mineral density (BMD), cortical bone porosity, bone formation/resorption and mineralization were also measured. Female OVX RSG10mg/kg rats had significantly lower vertebral BMD and compromised trabecular architecture versus OVX controls. Increased cortical porosity and decreased mechanical properties occurred in these rats. ALN treatment prevented these negative effects in the OVX RSG model. Evidence of reduced bone formation and excess bone resorption was detected in female RSG-treated rats.

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is an insulin-sensitizing drug used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Clinical trials show that women taking RSG experience more limb fractures than patients taking other T2DM drugs. The purpose of this study is to understand how RSG (3mg/kg/day and 10mg/kg/day) and the bisphosphonate alendronate (0.7mg/kg/week) alter bone quality in the male, female and female ovariectomized (OVX) Zucker fatty rat model over a 12 week period. Bone quality was evaluated by mechanical testing of cortical and trabecular bone. Microarchitecture, bone mineral density (BMD), cortical bone porosity, bone formation/resorption and mineralization were also measured. Female OVX RSG10mg/kg rats had significantly lower vertebral BMD and compromised trabecular architecture versus OVX controls. Increased cortical porosity and decreased mechanical properties occurred in these rats. ALN treatment prevented these negative effects in the OVX RSG model. Evidence of reduced bone formation and excess bone resorption was detected in female RSG-treated rats.

A resistência à insulina está associada com o aumento do teor de gordura intramiocelular (GIMC) e com níveis séricos da adiponectina (ADP) diminuídos. A ADP por sua vez está envolvida na oxidação de gordura muscular. Entretanto, a relação entre ambas continua controversa. O objetivo deste estudo é explorar a relação entre a ADP e a GIMC em adultos não diabéticos, além de estudar o papel da rosiglitasona (RSG) sobre a distribuição da gordura entre os compartimentos musculares. Este estudo compreende duas fases: uma fase transversal (corte-transversal) e uma fase longitudinal, de intervenção terapêutica com uma droga, num desenho aberto. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas e Experimentais em Biologia Vascular (Biovasc) - UERJ. Material e métodos Na fase transversal, 24 pacientes obesos, não diabéticos, com síndrome metabólica (SM) e 9 controles magros e saudáveis foram estudados. Foi realizada a Espectroscopia de Prótons por Ressonância Nuclear Magnética (1H-ERNM) para quantificar a gordura extramiocelular (GEMC) e a GIMC. Estas, associadas à ADP e aos parâmetros antropométricos e bioquímicos, foram avaliadas e comparadas nos dois grupos. Durante a fase longitudinal, 15 destes pacientes foram reestudados, através da 1H-ERNM, após o tratamento com RSG por 6 meses. Da mesma forma, as variáveis antropométricas e metabólicas foram reavaliadas. Fase transversal: os pacientes com SM apresentaram maior índice de massa corporal (IMC), cintura abdominal, relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), e níveis de glicemia, insulina e triglicerídeos e menores níveis de HDL-c, quando comparados com o grupo controle. Da mesma forma o HOMA-RI [3.25 (2.58-4.13) vs 1.02 (0.73-1.29); p<0.0001] e a GIMC [266.1 (189.9-296.3) vs 72.85 (55.3-109.4) unidades arbitrárias-UA, p<0.0001] estavam aumentados enquanto o QUICKI [0.32 (0.31-0.33) vs 0.38 (0.37-0.40); p<0.0001] e a ADP [8.6 (4.05-15.95) vs 21.1 (12.9-24.4) &#956;g/ml; p=0.02) estavam diminuídos. O teor de GIMC associou-se diretamente com a glicose, insulina, triglicerídeos e HOMA-RI e inversamente com o HDL-c, QUICKI e, mais importantemente, com a ADP (r = -0.41; p<0.05). Fase longitudinal: após o tratamento com RSG, o peso corporal e a circunferência do quadril aumentaram, respectivamente [100.9 (91.12-138.7) vs 107,0 (79.6-142.8) kg e 118 (107-126) cm vs 122 (110-131) cm]; enquanto a RCQ diminuiu [0.93 (0.87-1.00) vs 0.89 (0.82-0.97); P<0.001 para todos]. Adicionalmente, a glicemia, a insulina e o HOMA-RI diminuíram significativamente, enquanto a ADP aumentou mais de 3 vezes [9.7 (3.7-17.7) vs 38.0 (19.3-42.4) &#956;g/ml]. Finalmente, a GIMC não se modificou [267.54 (213.94-297.94) vs 305.75 (230.80-424.75) UA], mas a GEMC aumentou de forma significativa [275.53 (210.39-436.66) vs 411.39 (279.92-556.59) UA; P<0.01] diminuindo a razão GIMC sobre GEMC [GIMC/GEMC; 1.07 (0.78-1.23) vs. 0.71 (0.53-0.96); p<0.01]. A ADP correlacionou-se inversamente com o teor da GIMC em adultos obesos não diabéticos com SM. Este achado tem possíveis implicações para o papel da ADP na oxidação da gordura muscular, na RI e na SM. O tratamento com RSG aumentou a massa corporal e a circunferência do quadril e diminuiu a RCQ. Além disso, diminuiu a razão GIMC/GEMC, por aumentar a GEMC sem alterar significativamente a GIMC. Isto sugere que este medicamento pode prevenir a deposição da gordura no compartimento intramiocelular ao aumentar os depósitos periféricos e o extramiocelular. / Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content and low serum adiponectin (ADP) levels. ADP is also involved in muscle fat oxidation but the relationship between them is still controversial. We aimed to further explore the relationship between ADP and IMCL content in non-diabetic adults and the role of rosiglitazone (RSG) in muscle fat compartment distribution in an adult population of obese nondiabetic metabolic syndrome patients. This study comprises two phases: a cross-sectional and a longitudinal, open-label, drug-interventional one. Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Research on Vascular Biology (Biovasc) at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. During the cross-sectional phase, 24 obese, nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and 9 lean healthy controls were studied. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMRS) was performed to quantify IMCL, as well as extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) content. The latter plus serum ADP, anthropometrics and biochemical parameters were evaluated and compared in these two groups. During the longitudinal phase, fifteen of the MS patients were studied by means of 1HNMRS before and after treatment with 8mg/day of RSG for 6 months. Anthropometrical and metabolic variables were assessed. Measurements and main results cross-sectional phase: MS patients had higher body mass index (BMI), waist, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), glucose, insulin and triglycerides and lower HDL-c as compared to controls. HOMA-IR (3.25 [2.58-4.13] vs 1.02 [0.73-1.29]; p<0.0001) and IMCL content (266.1 [189.9-296.3] vs 72.85 [55.3-109.4) AU, p<0.0001] were higher, and QUICKI (0.32 [0.31-0.33] vs 0.38 [0.37-0.40]; p<0.0001) and ADP (8.6 [4.05-15.95] vs 21.1 [12.9-24.4] &#956;g/ml; p=0.02) lower in MS compared to controls. IMCL content was directly associated with glucose, insulin, triglycerides and HOMAxiii IR and inversely to HDLc, QUICKI and, more importantly, with ADP (r = -0.41; p<0.05). Longitudinal phase: After RSG treatment, body weight and hip circumference increased [100.9 (91.12-138.7) vs 107,0 (79.6-142.8) kg and 118 (107-126) cm vs 122 (110-131) cm] respectively, while WHR decreased [0.93 (0.87-1.00) vs 0.89 (0.82-0.97); P<0.001 for all]. Additionally, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR significantly decreased while adiponectin increased over 3 fold [9.7 (3.7-17.7) vs 38.0 (19.3-42.4) &#956;g/ml]. Finally, IMCL did not change [267.54 (213.94-297.94) vs 305.75 (230.80-424.75) arbitrary units (AU)] while EMCL increased [275.53 (210.39-436.66) vs 411.39 (279.92-556.59) AU; P<0.01] therefore decreasing IMCL to EMCL ratio (IMCL/EMCL) [1.07 (0.78-1.23) vs. 0.71 (0.53-0.96); p<0.01]. ADP is inversely related to IMCL content in non-diabetic adults. This finding has possible implications for the role of ADP in muscle fat oxidation, IR and MS. RSG treatment increased body weight and hip circumference decreasing WHR and decreased IMCL/EMCL ratio by increasing EMCL without any significant change on IMCL, thus suggesting that this drug may prevent IMCL fat deposition by increasing EMCL and peripheral deposits.

A resistência à insulina está associada com o aumento do teor de gordura intramiocelular (GIMC) e com níveis séricos da adiponectina (ADP) diminuídos. A ADP por sua vez está envolvida na oxidação de gordura muscular. Entretanto, a relação entre ambas continua controversa. O objetivo deste estudo é explorar a relação entre a ADP e a GIMC em adultos não diabéticos, além de estudar o papel da rosiglitasona (RSG) sobre a distribuição da gordura entre os compartimentos musculares. Este estudo compreende duas fases: uma fase transversal (corte-transversal) e uma fase longitudinal, de intervenção terapêutica com uma droga, num desenho aberto. Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas e Experimentais em Biologia Vascular (Biovasc) - UERJ. Material e métodos Na fase transversal, 24 pacientes obesos, não diabéticos, com síndrome metabólica (SM) e 9 controles magros e saudáveis foram estudados. Foi realizada a Espectroscopia de Prótons por Ressonância Nuclear Magnética (1H-ERNM) para quantificar a gordura extramiocelular (GEMC) e a GIMC. Estas, associadas à ADP e aos parâmetros antropométricos e bioquímicos, foram avaliadas e comparadas nos dois grupos. Durante a fase longitudinal, 15 destes pacientes foram reestudados, através da 1H-ERNM, após o tratamento com RSG por 6 meses. Da mesma forma, as variáveis antropométricas e metabólicas foram reavaliadas. Fase transversal: os pacientes com SM apresentaram maior índice de massa corporal (IMC), cintura abdominal, relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), e níveis de glicemia, insulina e triglicerídeos e menores níveis de HDL-c, quando comparados com o grupo controle. Da mesma forma o HOMA-RI [3.25 (2.58-4.13) vs 1.02 (0.73-1.29); p<0.0001] e a GIMC [266.1 (189.9-296.3) vs 72.85 (55.3-109.4) unidades arbitrárias-UA, p<0.0001] estavam aumentados enquanto o QUICKI [0.32 (0.31-0.33) vs 0.38 (0.37-0.40); p<0.0001] e a ADP [8.6 (4.05-15.95) vs 21.1 (12.9-24.4) &#956;g/ml; p=0.02) estavam diminuídos. O teor de GIMC associou-se diretamente com a glicose, insulina, triglicerídeos e HOMA-RI e inversamente com o HDL-c, QUICKI e, mais importantemente, com a ADP (r = -0.41; p<0.05). Fase longitudinal: após o tratamento com RSG, o peso corporal e a circunferência do quadril aumentaram, respectivamente [100.9 (91.12-138.7) vs 107,0 (79.6-142.8) kg e 118 (107-126) cm vs 122 (110-131) cm]; enquanto a RCQ diminuiu [0.93 (0.87-1.00) vs 0.89 (0.82-0.97); P<0.001 para todos]. Adicionalmente, a glicemia, a insulina e o HOMA-RI diminuíram significativamente, enquanto a ADP aumentou mais de 3 vezes [9.7 (3.7-17.7) vs 38.0 (19.3-42.4) &#956;g/ml]. Finalmente, a GIMC não se modificou [267.54 (213.94-297.94) vs 305.75 (230.80-424.75) UA], mas a GEMC aumentou de forma significativa [275.53 (210.39-436.66) vs 411.39 (279.92-556.59) UA; P<0.01] diminuindo a razão GIMC sobre GEMC [GIMC/GEMC; 1.07 (0.78-1.23) vs. 0.71 (0.53-0.96); p<0.01]. A ADP correlacionou-se inversamente com o teor da GIMC em adultos obesos não diabéticos com SM. Este achado tem possíveis implicações para o papel da ADP na oxidação da gordura muscular, na RI e na SM. O tratamento com RSG aumentou a massa corporal e a circunferência do quadril e diminuiu a RCQ. Além disso, diminuiu a razão GIMC/GEMC, por aumentar a GEMC sem alterar significativamente a GIMC. Isto sugere que este medicamento pode prevenir a deposição da gordura no compartimento intramiocelular ao aumentar os depósitos periféricos e o extramiocelular. / Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content and low serum adiponectin (ADP) levels. ADP is also involved in muscle fat oxidation but the relationship between them is still controversial. We aimed to further explore the relationship between ADP and IMCL content in non-diabetic adults and the role of rosiglitazone (RSG) in muscle fat compartment distribution in an adult population of obese nondiabetic metabolic syndrome patients. This study comprises two phases: a cross-sectional and a longitudinal, open-label, drug-interventional one. Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Research on Vascular Biology (Biovasc) at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. During the cross-sectional phase, 24 obese, nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and 9 lean healthy controls were studied. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMRS) was performed to quantify IMCL, as well as extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) content. The latter plus serum ADP, anthropometrics and biochemical parameters were evaluated and compared in these two groups. During the longitudinal phase, fifteen of the MS patients were studied by means of 1HNMRS before and after treatment with 8mg/day of RSG for 6 months. Anthropometrical and metabolic variables were assessed. Measurements and main results cross-sectional phase: MS patients had higher body mass index (BMI), waist, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), glucose, insulin and triglycerides and lower HDL-c as compared to controls. HOMA-IR (3.25 [2.58-4.13] vs 1.02 [0.73-1.29]; p<0.0001) and IMCL content (266.1 [189.9-296.3] vs 72.85 [55.3-109.4) AU, p<0.0001] were higher, and QUICKI (0.32 [0.31-0.33] vs 0.38 [0.37-0.40]; p<0.0001) and ADP (8.6 [4.05-15.95] vs 21.1 [12.9-24.4] &#956;g/ml; p=0.02) lower in MS compared to controls. IMCL content was directly associated with glucose, insulin, triglycerides and HOMAxiii IR and inversely to HDLc, QUICKI and, more importantly, with ADP (r = -0.41; p<0.05). Longitudinal phase: After RSG treatment, body weight and hip circumference increased [100.9 (91.12-138.7) vs 107,0 (79.6-142.8) kg and 118 (107-126) cm vs 122 (110-131) cm] respectively, while WHR decreased [0.93 (0.87-1.00) vs 0.89 (0.82-0.97); P<0.001 for all]. Additionally, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR significantly decreased while adiponectin increased over 3 fold [9.7 (3.7-17.7) vs 38.0 (19.3-42.4) &#956;g/ml]. Finally, IMCL did not change [267.54 (213.94-297.94) vs 305.75 (230.80-424.75) arbitrary units (AU)] while EMCL increased [275.53 (210.39-436.66) vs 411.39 (279.92-556.59) AU; P<0.01] therefore decreasing IMCL to EMCL ratio (IMCL/EMCL) [1.07 (0.78-1.23) vs. 0.71 (0.53-0.96); p<0.01]. ADP is inversely related to IMCL content in non-diabetic adults. This finding has possible implications for the role of ADP in muscle fat oxidation, IR and MS. RSG treatment increased body weight and hip circumference decreasing WHR and decreased IMCL/EMCL ratio by increasing EMCL without any significant change on IMCL, thus suggesting that this drug may prevent IMCL fat deposition by increasing EMCL and peripheral deposits.

Abstract Most women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit features of metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance and low-grade chronic inflammation, reflected in elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), placing these women at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (type 2 DM). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two well-known insulin-lowering drugs used in the treatment of type 2 DM, metformin and rosiglitazone, on traditional cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation in women with PCOS. In addition, the impact of rosiglitazone was evaluated as regards clinical, endocrine and metabolic aspects of PCOS. Six-months of metformin treatment in women with PCOS had beneficial effects on levels of CRP, lipid profile and blood pressure, expressed as increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and decreased levels of triglycerides (TGs), decreased ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C, decreased levels of CRP, and decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Four-month treatment with rosiglitazone in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in overweight women with PCOS resulted in significant improvements in menstrual cyclicity, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia. In addition, rosiglitazone decreased levels of markers of low-grade inflammation, CRP and white blood cell (WBC) count, and the liver function marker alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), while having neutral effects on levels of lipids, and blood pressure. In conclusion, metformin treatment, in accordance with the known beneficial metabolic effects of this drug, could be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular complications in women with PCOS. Rosiglitazone represents an alternative treatment for overweight anovulatory women with PCOS. It could be useful in the prevention of type 2 DM in overweight women with PCOS and for those suffering from possible side-effects related to metformin treatment. In addition, alleviation of inflammation and improvement of liver function during rosiglitazone treatment may indicate decreased future risks of cardiovascular diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.