Continuous positive airway pressure therapy improves arterial elasticity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Reduced arterial elasticity is an important mediator of accelerated atherogenesis and consequent increased cardiovascular morbidity in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of our study was to investigate whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may improve arterial elasticity in subjects with OSA.

Methods: In 44 subjects with OSA, we measured arterial elasticity by applanation tonometry before and after 6 months of treatment with CPAP.

Arterial elasticity and plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in type 2 diabetic patients treated with thiazolidinediones.

Background: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improve peripheral insulin sensitivity, but the effect on arterial stiffness is less clear. The aim of the present study was to assess the differential effect of pioglitazone or rosiglitazone on arterial stiffness and plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Thirty-five type 2 diabetic subjects were randomly assigned to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/day; n = 14), rosiglitazone (4 mg/day; n = 11), or placebo (medical nutrition therapy; n = 10) for 12 weeks.