Thiazolidinediones and ischemic stroke (literature review and reasoning for the new potential treatment approaches)

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability among adult population. Many pathological events including inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis contribute to the secondary neuronal death after stroke. The goal of this review is to discuss the therapeutic potential and putative mechanisms of neuroprotective properties of thiazolidinediones (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ agonists) at ischemic stroke. Thiazolidinediones have insulin-sensitizing and other additional pleiotropic properties. Ischemic neuroprotection afforded by thiazolidinediones has been involved anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic properties, as well as effects on endothelial function and repair. These novel actions of thiazolidinediones could offer some protection against the potentially enhanced damage of brain ischemia in patients with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance and may open new exciting lines of investigation on stroke treatment.