A study by the University of Chicago published online by the Journal of the American Medical Association outlines that a drug given to help people with diabetes may also slow the thickening of the artery walls that can lead to heart disease.

The drug Pioglitazone helps improve the body's sensitivity to the hormone insulin, the study showed that the arteries on patients using Pioglitazone were less thick than those given another diabetes drug.

The patients also taking Pioglitazone also recorded lower levels of sugar in their blood and higher levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.

The trial itself is relatively small and more research would be needed before it is recommended for more widespread use.

Source : BBC Health
Date : 30/03/2007

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