Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a class of medications primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity. The correct answer highlights pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, which are the two main drugs in this category. These medications work by acting on the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), which helps regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, ultimately leading to lower blood sugar levels and improved fat distribution within the body.

The other options consist of medications from different classes. Glipizide and glyburide are sulfonylureas, which stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas. Metformin is a biguanide that primarily decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity but does not belong to the TZD class. Linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, works differently by increasing incretin levels, which help modulate insulin secretion. Similarly, sitagliptin and saxagliptin are also classified as DPP-4 inhibitors and do not fall under the TZD classification. Thus, the distinction establishes why pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are the correct examples of thiazolidinediones.