Aim: Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), was reported to have partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) activity in vitro. Also, adipocyte-derived protein adiponectin, especially its high molecular weight (HMW) form, has been reported to have beneficial effects on insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. We investigated the effects of 3-month telmisartan therapy on various metabolic parameters, including serum HMW adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in male hypertensive subjects with abdominal obesity.
Methods: This study included 19 Japanese male hypertensive subjects, aged 51.2+/-7.6 (mean+/-SD) years, and body mass index 27.7+/-4.1 kg/m(2). In these subjects, 14 were naive to telmisartan treatment (40.0+/-15.7 mg daily), and 5 were changed from other ARBs to telmisartan. Serum HMW adiponectin concentration was assayed using HMW-selective ELISA kit.
Results: In all 19 subjects, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased from 153/98 to 134/85 mmHg (p<0.001 for both). Serum HMW-adiponectin level increased from 2.06+/-0.81 to 2.40+/-0.96 microg/mL (+16.4%, p=0.017). Body weight, glucose, insulin, lipids and hs-CRP did not change during the study period, and there were no adverse effects in any subject. In the newly administered group (n=14), the results were almost the same: BP decreased from 155/98 to 134/84 mmHg (p=0.0015 for both), and serum HMW-adiponectin level increased from 2.07+/-0.68 to 2.39+/-0.99 microg/mL (+15.5%, p=0.089).
Conclusion: These data suggest that telmisartan therapy is efficient for controlling BP, and may exert beneficial effects on HMW adiponectin in male hypertensive subjects with abdominal obesity.