The effects of irbesartan and telmisartan on metabolic parameters and blood pressure in obese, insulin resistant, hypertensive patients

Obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance cluster in the insulin resistance syndrome. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are able to reduce insulin resistance. Furthermore, among ARB, telmisartan displays the property of stimulating PPAR gamma. The aim of the study was to examine if and to what extent treatment with irbesartan and telmisartan induces variations in metabolic parameters in insulin resistant, hypertensive subjects. Forty-six non diabetic, obese, insulin-resistant, hypertensive patients took part in the study. They were divided into 2 groups. Group A (23) was submitted to irbesartan 150 mg/day, Group B (23) to telmisartan 80 mg/day for 6 months. Adiponectin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids (FFA), steady-state plasma insulin and glucose (SSPG), 24-hBP were determined at the beginning and at the end of the study. Both irbesartan or telmisartan reduced blood pressure and ameliorated the insulin sensitivity, with increased adiponectin values; in Group B, the amelioration of metabolic parameters was greater than in Group A and the reduction of blood pressure was related with variation of adiponectin levels. Data obtained showed that the antihypertensive action of telmisartan and irbesartan is associated with the amelioration of the metabolic picture. The greater impact on the improvement of the metabolic profile showed by telmisartan and the inverse correlation between adiponectin levels and blood pressure may be partly due to the action as partial PPAR gamma agonist displayed by telmisartan.