Abstract: AIM: To observe the effects of pioglitazone combined with atorvastatin on lipids and endothelial function in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 65 cases of type 2 diabetes patients were randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases were divided into control group (Group A), receiving routine hypoglycemic therapy with atorvastatin 10 mg/d; the experimental group (Group B), 35 cases on the basis of the control group with pioglitazone 15 mg/d.The levels of blood glucose, Glycated hemoglobin, lipids, nitric oxide (NO) , endothelin -1 (ET-1) and the change rate of brachial artery flow mediated dilatation(FMD)were assessed before and after 12 weeks of the treatment. RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment,the levels of blood glucose after treatment were significantly decreased in two groups (P<0.01). there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). The ET-1 levels in two groups were decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and FMD were increased in two groups,compared with pre-treatment,there was significant difference(P<0.01).However, the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and the change rate of brachial artery flow mediated dilatation(FMD) in Group B were higher than those in Group A, there was significant difference in two groups(P<0.05).After treatment,the BMI was improved in patients of two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Pioglitazone combined with atorvastatin can adjust blood lipids and improve the function of vascular endothelium in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Key words: Pioglitazone, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Endothelial function