METHODS	T2DM patients ( Age = 56 2 y , BMI = 33 1.8 , HbA1c = 7.8 0.3 % ) not on thiazolidinedione therapy for at least 12 months were randomized to receive either pioglitazone 15 mg/daily for two months ( PIO 15 ) or pioglitazone 15 mg/day for one month followed by a dose escalation to 30 mg/day for an additional one month ( PIO 30 ) .\