Introduction: Abnormal adipokine levels affect blood pressure (BP) regulation. Hypo-adiponectinaemia and hyperleptinaemia were reported in hypertension, little is known about how antihypertensive therapy affects these alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of perindopril versus enalapril on plasma adiponectin, tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-α) and leptin levels in hypertensive individuals.Methods: In the present study, we analysed the samples obtained from 93 treatment-naıve, adult hypertensive patients, randomised to treatement with enalapril (10 mg/d, n = 31), perindopril (5 mg/d, n = 31), or maintained on life style modification (n = 31). Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α and lipid profile were determined at baseline, and after 3 months.Results: Compared to subjects maintained on lifestyle modification (n = 31), enalapril or perindopril treatment was associated with a significant decrease in BP. Administration of perindopril or enalapril resulted in an increase in plasma adiponectin and a reduction in plasma leptin. No significant changes in lipid profile were observed after treatment.Conclusions: Our results indicate that perindopril is superior to enalapril when it comes to its effect on the human adipose-tissue-derived hormones. This suggests that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors improves the adipokine profile, possibly allowing beneficial effects to hypertensive individuals.
Keywords: Adiponectin; TNF-α; enalapril; hypertension; leptin; perindopril.