Metabolic Syndrome
Potential metabolic effects of telmisartan in preliminary studies
By Boehringer Ingelheim
Sep 8, 2005, 01:34

Preclinical studies show that the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), Micardis� (telmisartan), has a beneficial effect on metabolic parameters including plasma glucose, insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities, in addition to its proven effect on high blood pressure, due to its partial activation of PPAR-gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma).1-4 PPAR-gamma is a hormone receptor known to have an important role in regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, by increasing insulin sensitivity.1-5 High blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, insulin resistance and obesity are key components of metabolic syndrome, a common precursor of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.6 The implications of these findings were discussed today by leading experts at a meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, coinciding with the European Society of Cardiology Annual Meeting.

�These preclinical findings are very exciting and suggest Micardis� may have a uniquely beneficial metabolic effect. We have effective treatments for some of the individual components of metabolic syndrome, such as high blood pressure, but we need to tackle the different risk factors concurrently,� Professor Ted Kurtz, University of California, USA, commented. �These are very early days but given the major impact of the metabolic syndrome on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, any treatment that could tackle more than one of the components of metabolic syndrome would provide a huge advantage to patients and physicians in the fight against cardiovascular disease.�

The Micardis� molecule is structurally similar to the PPAR-gamma activator, pioglitazone,3 which has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.7 Micardis� partially activates PPAR-gamma resulting in metabolic effects that differentiate it from other ARBs, according to preclinical data.1-4 These data demonstrate that Micardis� has a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and blood lipids, independent of its effect on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).1-4

Studies by Schupp et al and Kurtz et al showed Micardis� is a more potent PPAR-gamma activator compared to other commercially available ARBs.1-2 Furthermore, an in vitro and in vivo study reported by Benson et al showed Micardis� significantly reduced serum glucose levels (p<0<0<0

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