Effects of telmisartan on hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance

Objective To investigate the effects of telmisartan on the blood glucose, blood lipid, blood insulin, and insulin resistance in the hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia, and also its effect on controlling blood pressure. Patients and Methods A total of 96 hypertensive patients (34 females, 62 males) with dyslipidemia were included (mean age 51.2±9.6, range 42-65 years). Patients were randomized to receive either telmisartan 80 mg/day (n=46) or enalapril 10 mg/day (n=50) for 6 months. The levels of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and biochemical data were measured before therapy and at the end of the 3-month treatment and 6-month treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, insulin resistance was evaluated by using a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS). Results In the telmisartan group, the mean blood pressure was obviously lower than that of pre-therapy (P< 0.05), and the levels of triglyceride (TG), HOMA-IR, and HOMA-IS were all obviously lower than those of pre-therapy and of the enalapril group at the end of the 3-month-treatment period (P<0.05). After 6 months of treatment, the levels of TG, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-IS in the telmisartan group were significantly lower in comparison with those of pre-therapy, the enalapril group (P<0.01), and 3-month-treatment (P<0.05). Post-prandial12 hour blood glucose (P2HBG) in the telmisartan group decreased significantly after 6-month treatment compared with that of pre-therapy and the enalapril group (P<0.05). The level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly higher after 6-month treatment in the telmisartan group than with pre-therapy and the enalapril group(P<0.05). Conclusions Telmisartan could not only control blood pressure steadily and effectively, but also decrease blood TG, increase HDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity, and lower insulin resistance.