Characterization of vascular reactivity in dorsal hand veins after oral rosiglitazone treatment in healthy subjects.

Objective: In clinical studies with diabetic patients thiazolidinediones have been shown to restore abnormal vascular function which might be attributed to improved blood sugar control or to restoration of vascular endothelium and smooth muscle responsiveness. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether rosiglitazone modulates vascular responsiveness to different vasoactive agents and exerts renin-angiotensin-system (RAS)-inhibiting properties in healthy subjects in vivo.

Methods: 24 healthy male subjects were randomized to receive either rosiglitazone or placebo.