Research
Hormonal
PPARγ activation via thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improves glycemic control and insulin sensitivity but causes adverse effects including weight gain, edema, and increased fracture risk.
PPARγ drugs (TZDs) are very effective at lowering blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity. However, they can cause weight gain, swelling (edema), and increase the risk of bone fractures. Discuss these risks with your doctor, especially if you have osteoporosis.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs, also referred to as glitazones), synthetic PPARγ ligands, are anti-diabetic drugs with potent insulin-sensitizing effects that confer long-term glycemic control (27). However, their clinical use has been challenged due to side effects such as body weight gain, edema, and bone fractures (2).
Why this rating
Supported by extensive clinical trial data and genetic evidence cited.
Source
Distinct but complementary contributions of PPAR isotypes to energy homeostasis
Vanessa Dubois et al. · Journal of Clinical Investigation · 2017
DOI 10.1172/jci88894
narrative_reviewCited 373×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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