Figure 1. Effects of Thiazolidinediones.

Thiazolidinediones have an array of beneficial and harmful effects on multiple tissues. Some of the effects are direct, whereas others are indirect. Adipocyte differentiation is thought to be beneficial for several reasons, including the production of favorable adipokines by small adipocytes and the provision of an expanded storage depot for lipids so that they are not deposited ectopically. Different thiazolidinediones have variable effects on plasma lipid profiles.⁴