Telmisartan reduced abdominal circumference and body weight with decreasing triglyceride level in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Telmisartan has the dual ability to inhibit angiotensin II type 1 receptors and activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR), especially as a selective PPAR modulator that does not strongly promote adipogenesis for weight gain. Accordingly, Telmisartan is expected to provide beneficial effects for glucose and lipid metabolism without causing obesity. In the present study, we examined the effects of Telmisartan in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Thirty-two patients enrolled in this study were administered 40 mg per day of Telmisartan for 6 months. Telmisartan treatment significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure accompanied by induction of plasma renin activity (PRA) and reduction of serum aldosterone concentration and significantly decreased waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and triglycerides (TG). In the 16 patients who did not take sulfonylurea, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) decreased and HbA1c significantly decreased from 3 months to 6 months. The results provide evidence that Telmisartan may improve glucose and lipid metabolism with the reduction in visceral fat mass in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.