Muraglitazar: an agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated dyslipidemia

Many studies indicate that postprandial metabolic abnormalities, such as hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, which are exaggerated and prolonged in type 2 diabetes, are important risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease. Different pharmacotherapies have been developed to specifically target these risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. The Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor (PPAR) agonists, which are potent Insulin sensitizers, have been the focus of much research during the past decade. Since their development, PPAR agonists have emerged as an important target for the treatment of Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. The more recent development of agonists that selectively target both the alpha and gamma PPARs has provided a potential treatment of global risk in patients with the metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. Muraglitazar is a non-thiazolidinedione, oxybenzylglycine dual PPARalpha/gamma agonist that is in advanced clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its associated dyslipidemia. This article summarizes the available clinical data on the efficacy and safety of muraglitazar in patients with type 2 diabetes.