The Effects of Thiazolidinedione Therapy on NT-proBNP Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

We sought to determine whether thiazolidinedione (TZD) therapy affects levels of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods : This study population consisted of 76 patients with type 2 diabetes and no history of heart failure. Subjects had NTproBNP levels determined prior to initiating TZD therapy, and after 3 months of treatment. We compared within-person changes in NTproBNP over the 3 month duration. We determined if the magnitude of change in NTproBNP over the treatment period was correlated with baseline parameters or nature/dose of TZD medication. Results : The subjects were 42% female and 58% male, and the mean age and duration was 59.8±11.8 years old and 11.4±8.3 years respectively. The baseline mean A1C and BMI was 8.7±1.1% and 30.9±8.7 kg/m 2 respectively. We found that NT-proBNP levels did not vary significantly between baseline (mean±SD: 143.8±203.9 pg/mL) and 3 month follow-up (150.6±186.2 pg/mL). Conversely, A1C levels declined significantly (p<0.0001) and BMI increased significantly (p< 0.05). Conclusion : Adding TZD therapy to patients with type 2 diabetes and no history of heart failure does not have a significant effect on NTproBNP levels.