Metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with
insulin resistance and consists of a constellation of factors such as
hypertension and
hyperlipidemia that raise the risk for
cardiovascular diseases and
diabetes mellitus. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and
cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hypertensive patients. Further, recently, the interruption of the RAS has been shown to prevent the onset of diabetes in hypertensive patients. However, whether
telmisartan, an
angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) with selective
peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (
PPAR-γ) agonistic property could improve
insulin sensitivity is not fully understood. In this study, we studied the effects of
telmisartan on
insulin sensitivity in KK-A(y) mice, an obese type 2 diabetic animal. Although there was no significant difference in
body weight, food consumption, and
glucose levels between the two groups, plasma
insulin,
triglycerides and non-
esterified fatty acid levels were significantly decreased in
telmisartan-treated KK-A(y) mice, compared with control KK-A(y) mice. The present findings suggest that
telmisartan could exert a beneficial effect on
insulin sensitivity in diabetic animals. Inhibition of the RAS by
telmisartan, a selective agonist of
PPAR-γ, may become a promising strategy for the treatment of hypertensive patients with
metabolic syndrome and/or
insulin resistance.