Effects of telmisartan on adiponectin levels and body weight in hypertensive patients with glucose intolerance

Few studies have analyzed intraclass differences in angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with respect to antidiabetic or metabolic effects. We designed a prospective randomized study to compare a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor–γ (PPARγ)–activating ARB with a nonactivating ARB to delineate the effects on metabolic factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Subjects initially comprised 153 hypertensive patients (72 men, 81 women; mean age, 67.9 ± 7.8 years) with diagnosed glucose intolerance on the glucose loading test. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 6-month administration of telmisartan 47.0 mg/d (TEL) or candesartan 8.4 mg/d (CAN), or to have no change in drug regimen (control group, CTL). Fasting plasma glucose level was significantly reduced in TEL (n = 46) compared with CTL (n = 47) (percentage of change from baseline, −1.7% vs +2.2%; P = .045). Percentage of increase in adiponectin was significantly larger in TEL than in CTL (+10.5% vs +2.2%, P = .025), but not significantly larger in CAN (n = 44) than in CTL (+4.9% vs +2.2%; P = .13). Percentage of decrease in body weight from baseline was significantly enhanced in TEL compared with CTL (−2.2% vs −0.8%, P = .023) and CAN (−2.2% vs −0.3%, P = .007). Telmisartan decreased body weight while increasing serum adiponectin levels in hypertensive patients with glucose intolerance. Candesartan did not achieve similar improvements in these patients. Among ARBs, telmisartan may have a larger impact on obesity-related diseases that can lead to cardiovascular disorders.