A preliminary study on the association of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ gene Pro12Ala polymorphism with the efficacy of pioglitazone

Objective To study the association of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ)gene Pro12Ala polymorphism with the drug efficacy of pioglitazone. Methods A total of 112 type 2 diabetic patients were treated with pioglitazone (30 mg/qd) for 10 weeks. PPARγ gene Pro12Ala polymorphism was examined by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results After pioglitazone treatment, the patients showed a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c and TG, and an increase in HDL-C and BMI. After stratifying by PPARγ gene Pro12Ala polymorphism, there was a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c, TG, DBP and SBP, but a significant increase in HDL-C and BMI in PP genotype group. In contrast, carriers with PA+AA genotype experienced a significant decrease only in FBG. Conclusions Pioglitazone may reduce the levels of plasma glucose and blood pressure, improve plasma lipid in type 2 diabetic patients, but may also cause the increase in their body weights. Those efficacies of pioglitazone may be associated with PPARγ gene Pro12Ala polymorphism.