This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Data Supplement All Versions of this Article: 109/17/2054    most recent 01.CIR.0000127955.36250.65v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schupp, M. Articles by Kintscher, U. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schupp, M. Articles by Kintscher, U. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB LOSARTAN POTASSIUM THIOPHENE Related Collections Type 2 diabetes

(Circulation. 2004;109:2054-2057.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Rapid Communications

Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Blockers Induce Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor- Activity

Michael Schupp, BPharm; Jürgen Janke, PhD; Ronald Clasen, BPharm; Thomas Unger, MD; Ulrich Kintscher, MD

From the Center for Cardiovascular Research, Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Campus Charité-Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (M.S., R.C., T.U., U.K.), and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin, Franz Volhard Klinik, Campus Berlin-Buch, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (J.J.), Berlin, Germany.

Correspondence to Ulrich Kintscher, MD, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Campus Charité-Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Strasse 3/4, 10115 Berlin, Germany. E-mail ulrich.kintscher{at}charite.de

Received August 4, 2003; de novo received November 14, 2003; revision received March 16, 2004; accepted March 19, 2004.

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Background— Angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT₁R) blockers (ARB) have been shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus by an unknown molecular mechanism. The peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor- (PPAR) is the central regulator of insulin and glucose metabolism improving insulin sensitivity. We investigated the regulation of PPAR function by ARBs.

Methods and Results— The ARBs irbesartan and telmisartan (10 µmol/L) potently enhanced PPAR-dependent 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation associated with a significant increase in mRNA expression of the adipogenic marker gene adipose protein 2 (aP2), as measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (irbesartan: 3.3±0.1-fold induction; telmisartan: 3.1±0.3-fold induction; both P<0.01). Telmisartan showed a more pronounced induction of aP2 expression in lower, pharmacologically relevant concentrations compared with the other ARBs. The ARB losartan enhanced aP2 expression only at high concentrations (losartan 100 µmol/L: 3.6±0.3-fold induction; P<0.01), whereas eprosartan up to 100 µmol/L had no significant effects. In transcription reporter assays, irbesartan and telmisartan (10 µmol/L) markedly induced transcriptional activity of PPAR by 3.4±0.9-fold and 2.6±0.6-fold (P<0.05), respectively, compared with 5.2±1.1-fold stimulation by the PPAR ligand pioglitazone (10 µmol/L). Irbesartan and telmisartan also induced PPAR activity in an AT₁R-deficient cell model (PC12W), demonstrating that these ARBs stimulate PPAR activity independent of their AT₁R blocking actions.

Conclusions— The present study demonstrates that a specific subset of ARBs induces PPAR activity, thereby promoting PPAR-dependent differentiation in adipocytes. The activation of PPAR demonstrates new pleiotropic actions of certain ARBs, providing a potential mechanism for their insulin-sensitizing/antidiabetic effects.

Key Words: diabetes mellitus • insulin • angiotensin • pharmacology

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT₁R) blockers (ARBs) are widely used in the treatment of hypertension and hypertension-related cardiovascular end-organ damage.¹ In addition to their important function as antihypertensive drugs, metabolic actions of ARBs have been described. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that AT₁R antagonism substantially lowers the risk for type 2 diabetes compared with other antihypertensive therapies.² In addition, AT₁R blockade improves insulin sensitivity in animal models of insulin resistance.³ The underlying mechanism of the insulin-sensitizing/antidiabetic effect of ARBs is widely unknown.

The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor- (PPAR) plays an important role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity.⁴ Activated by its ligands such as prostaglandins or synthetic insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones/glitazones, PPAR functions as a transcriptional regulator of multiple genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby ameliorating type 2 diabetes.⁴

To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the antidiabetic effect of ARBs, we investigated the effects of different ARBs on PPAR function in 3T3-L1 cells, an established cell model to study PPAR function.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Cell Culture
Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured and differentiated as previously described by using a standard differentiation mixture (Mix: dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine [IBMX], insulin, and 10% FBS).⁵ Cells were treated with vehicle or the ARBs (eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, telmisartan) until day 4 of differentiation. Oil Red-O staining was performed as previously described.⁵ PC12W cells were cultured as previously described.¹

Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Quantitative Real-Time PCR
Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed as previously described with an ABI 7000 sequence detection system for real-time PCR.⁶ Mouse 18S ribosomal RNA for real-time PCR and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase or ß-actin for semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)–PCR were chosen as endogenous controls (housekeeping genes).

Transfection and Luciferase Assay
Transient transfection and luciferase assays were performed as previously described.⁷ 3T3-L1 cells (day 4) and PC12W cells were transfected with the use of Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) with 1 µg (3T3-L1 cells) or 50 ng (PC12W cells) 3xAcyl-CoA oxidase PPAR response element (PPRE)–TK-luciferase reporter construct; PPAR2 (10 ng) and RXR (10 ng) expression vectors, provided by Dennis Bruemmer and Ronald Law (University of California at Los Angeles)⁷; pGal4-hPPARDEF (hPPAR ligand-binding domain [LBD] fused to Gal4 DBD) and pGal5-TK-pGL3, provided by Bart Staels (UR 545 INSERM, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France); and 10 ng pRL-CMV, a renilla luciferase control reporter vector. After 4 hours, transfection medium was replaced by 10% FBS DMEM plus the indicated ARBs, pioglitazone, or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide), and luciferase activity was measured after 24 hours.

Statistical Analysis
ANOVA and t test were performed for statistical analysis as appropriate. Statistical significance was designated at P<0.05. Values are expressed as mean±SD.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
ARBs Promote 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation
The ARBs irbesartan (10 µmol/L) and telmisartan (10 µmol/L; data not shown) potently enhanced lipid accumulation, as indicated by an increased Oil Red-O staining (Figure 1A), and markedly induced the expression of the adipogenic marker gene adipose protein 2 (aP2) in 3T3-L1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (irbesartan 10 µmol/L plus Mix: 3.3±0.1-fold; telmisartan 10 µmol/L plus Mix: 3.1±0.3-fold induction; both versus Mix alone, P<0.01) (Figure 1A and 1B). Telmisartan showed a more pronounced induction of aP2 expression in low concentrations compared with the other ARBs (telmisartan EC₅₀: 0.13 µmol/L; irbesartan EC₅₀: 3.5 µmol/L) (Figure 1B). Losartan enhanced aP2 expression only at the highest concentration (100 µmol/L: 3.6±0.3-fold induction; P<0.01), whereas eprosartan had no significant effects (Figure 1B). The PPAR ligand pioglitazone stimulated aP2 expression by 4.5±1-fold (10 µmol/L; P<0.01) compared with Mix alone (Figure 1B).

View larger version (66K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. ARBs promote 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. A, After 4 days of differentiation with Mix with or without irbesartan (Sartan, 10 µmol/L), 3T3-L1 cells were stained with Oil Red-O, and mRNA was isolated to measure aP2 expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) was used as a housekeeping gene. Representatives of 3 separate experiments are presented. B, Cells were treated as described in A with or without pioglitazone (10 µmol/L) and the ARBs (0.1, 1, 10, 100 µmol/L; eprosartan, losartan, irbesartan, telmisartan), and aP2 mRNA was quantified with the use of real-time PCR. Expression of aP2 was normalized to 18S expression. Experiments were repeated 3 times; results are presented as mean±SD. *P<0.05, #P<0.01 vs Mix alone.

The PPAR antagonist GW9662 (30 µmol/L) significantly blocked aP2 expression induced by pioglitazone (1 µmol/L), telmisartan (10 µmol/L), and irbesartan (100 µmol/L) to comparable extents (Data Supplement Figure, A).

ARBs Induce PPAR Activity
Treatment of PPRE-transfected 3T3-L1 cells with irbesartan and telmisartan (10 µmol/L) markedly induced transcriptional activity of PPAR 3.4±0.9-fold and 2.6±0.6-fold, respectively (both P<0.05 versus vehicle-treated cells), compared with 5.2±1.1-fold stimulation by pioglitazone at the same concentration (P<0.01 versus vehicle-treated cells) (Data Supplement Figure, B). Consistent with the effects on aP2 expression, losartan induced PPAR-dependent transcription only at high concentrations (100 µmol/L: 2.2±0.46-fold; P<0.05 versus vehicle-treated cells), and eprosartan had no effect (Data Supplement Figure, B).

ARBs Activate the PPAR LBD
To provide further insight into the mechanism whereby ARBs induce PPAR activity, we assessed their ability to activate the chimeric Gal4-DBD-hPPAR-LBD fusion protein on a Gal4-dependent luciferase reporter. In this system, the activation of the reporter is mediated solely through activation of the PPAR LBD. Treatment with the ARBs led to a concentration-dependent activation of the reporter (losartan EC₅₀: >50 µmol/L; irbesartan EC₅₀: 26.97 µmol/L; telmisartan EC₅₀: 5.02 µmol/L; pioglitazone EC₅₀: 0.2 µmol/L) (Figure 2A).

View larger version (29K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. ARBs induce PPAR activity. A, PC12W cells were transiently transfected with the pGal4-hPPARDEF and pGal5-Tk-pGL3 reporter followed by stimulation with the ARBs as indicated and pioglitazone. B, Box, Semiquantitative RT-PCR for AT1R was performed in PC12W cells (passages 11 to 14). ß-Actin was used as a housekeeping gene. Cells from the same passages were transfected with PPRE-luciferase reporter construct with and without PPAR2/RXR expression vectors, followed by stimulation with pioglitazone (10 µmol/L), irbesartan (10 µmol/L), or telmisartan (10 µmol/L). Firefly luciferase activity was measured after 24 hours and normalized with activity of cotransfected renilla luciferase. Experiments were repeated 3 times; results are presented as mean±SD. *P<0.05, #P<0.01 vs vehicle-treated cells.

Irbesartan and Telmisartan Induce PPAR Activity Independent of the AT₁R
To study the role of the AT₁R blocking actions of ARBs during PPAR activation, PPAR2 and its heterodimeric partner RXR were overexpressed in an AT₁R-deficient cell model (PC12W cells) (Figure 2B, box), and PPAR-dependent transcription was measured with and without ARBs and pioglitazone. No regulation of PPAR activity was observed in the absence of exogenous PPAR2/RXR (Figure 2B). After overexpression of the PPAR2/RXR heterodimer, irbesartan and telmisartan also induced PPAR activity in AT₁R-deficient PC12W cells, clearly demonstrating that these compounds stimulate PPAR activation independent of their AT₁R blocking actions (irbesartan: 2.1±0.3-fold; telmisartan: 1.9±0.4-fold; both P<0.05 versus vehicle-treated cells; pioglitazone: 4.2±1.4-fold; P<0.01 versus vehicle-treated cells).

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
The present study demonstrates that a subset of ARBs induces PPAR activity by interaction with the PPAR-LBD, thereby promoting PPAR-dependent differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Activation of PPAR by these ARBs was also observed in the absence of AT₁Rs, demonstrating that the activation is independent of blocking the AT₁R. The induction of PPAR activity demonstrates new pleiotropic actions of certain ARBs, providing a potential mechanism for their insulin-sensitizing/antidiabetic effects.

We identified ARBs with PPAR-activating properties at low (telmisartan), medium (irbesartan), and very high concentrations (losartan) as well as a nonactivating ARB (eprosartan). Significant differences among the PPAR-activating ARBs are likely caused by their physicochemical properties.⁸ High lipophilicity is required to obtain sufficiently high penetration rates to bind to intracellular PPAR. Telmisartan, the ARB with the highest lipophilicity, most potently induced PPAR-dependent aP2 expression and PPAR2 LBD activation at pharmacologically relevant concentrations.⁸ These data imply that PPAR-activating potency correlates with the degree of lipophilicity among the ARBs (telmisartan > irbesartan > losartan), whereas the maximal response may depend on other characteristics. When PPAR-activating ARBs were compared with the PPAR ligand pioglitazone, these compounds behaved like partial PPAR agonists compared with the full agonism of glitazones. The detailed differences between PPAR-activating ARBs and glitazones will be elucidated by understanding the molecular mechanism of PPAR activation by lipophilic ARBs (eg, direct binding to the LBD, coactivator recruitment), which remains to be determined in the future.

ARBs that activate PPAR have also been demonstrated to stimulate the expression of major PPAR target genes in in vivo animal models. The improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese Zucker rats by irbesartan was associated with a marked upregulation of the PPAR target gene glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4).^3,5 These data indicate that PPAR activation by ARBs translates in the regulation of PPAR target genes in vivo.

Despite the effects in animal models, clinical data in insulin-resistant or diabetic patients are still limited. Hypertensive patients receiving losartan had a 25% lower rate of new-onset diabetes than the atenolol-treated group, implicating an antidiabetic action of losartan.² In our study losartan failed to induce PPAR activity in pharmacologically relevant concentrations, suggesting additional antidiabetic mechanisms regulated by losartan or its active metabolites. Angiotensin II has been recently shown to inhibit intracellular insulin signaling, which was restored by AT₁R antagonism.⁹ Beneficial effects of ARBs on impaired insulin signaling may represent an additional molecular mechanism for insulin sensitization by these compounds. Telmisartan stimulated PPAR at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. The concentrations needed for PPAR activation are achieved in the plasma of hypertensive patients treated with telmisartan (280 ng/mL=0.54 µmol/L), which will likely result in additional positive effects on insulin sensitivity in the dosages used for antihypertensive treatment.⁸ Beneficial effects of telmisartan not only on insulin sensitivity but also on plasma glucose lowering as well as an improved overall diabetic situation remain to be seen in suitable in vivo models and in clinical studies.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have also been shown to prevent the onset of diabetes mellitus; however, the ACE inhibitor captopril was unable to induce PPAR-mediated human adipocyte differentiation.⁶ ACE inhibitors improve insulin sensitivity via the bradykinin pathway, which demonstrates an alternative antidiabetic mechanisms of these compounds.¹⁰

In conclusion, PPAR activation by a specific subset of ARBs may provide new therapeutic options in the treatment of patients with the metabolic syndrome. In addition, the pharmacological characteristics of PPAR-activating ARBs may serve as a starting point for the development of future substances combining dual functions (AT₁R antagonism and PPAR activation) to treat hypertension and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes.

	Acknowledgments

 
This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grant GK 754 to M. Schupp). We thank Sanofi-Synthelabo GmbH, Berlin, Germany, for kindly providing irbesartan and Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH & Co KG, Biberach a.d. Riss, Germany, for kindly providing telmisartan.

	Footnotes

 
The Data Supplement Figure is available with the online version of this article at http://www.circulationaha.org.

Dr Unger is a member of the advisory boards for Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, Abbott, Novartis, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, and Takeda.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. de Gasparo M, Catt KJ, Inagami T, et al. International union of pharmacology, XXIII: the angiotensin II receptors. Pharmacol Rev. 2000; 52: 415–472.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
2. Dahlof B, Devereux RB, Kjeldsen SE, et al. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension study (LIFE): a randomised trial against atenolol. Lancet. 2002; 359: 995–1003.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
3. Henriksen EJ, Jacob S, Kinnick TR, et al. Selective angiotensin II receptor antagonism reduces insulin resistance in obese Zucker rats. Hypertension. 2001; 38: 884–890.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
4. Picard F, Auwerx J. PPAR(gamma) and glucose homeostasis. Annu Rev Nutr. 2002; 22: 167–197.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
5. Tamori Y, Masugi J, Nishino N, et al. Role of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-gamma in maintenance of the characteristics of mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Diabetes. 2002; 51: 2045–2055.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
6. Janke J, Engeli S, Gorzelniak K, et al. Mature adipocytes inhibit in vitro differentiation of human preadipocytes via angiotensin type 1 receptors. Diabetes. 2002; 51: 1699–1707.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
7. Kintscher U, Lyon C, Wakino S, et al. PPARalpha inhibits TGF-beta–induced beta5 integrin transcription in vascular smooth muscle cells by interacting with Smad4. Circ Res. 2002; 91: e35–e44.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
8. Israili ZH. Clinical pharmacokinetics of angiotensin II (AT1) receptor blockers in hypertension. J Hum Hypertens. 2000; 14: S73–S86.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
9. Motley ED, Eguchi K, Gardner C, et al. Insulin-induced Akt activation is inhibited by angiotensin II in the vasculature through protein kinase C-alpha. Hypertension. 2003; 41: 775–780.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
10. Shiuchi T, Cui TX, Wu L, et al. ACE inhibitor improves insulin resistance in diabetic mouse via bradykinin and NO. Hypertension. 2002; 40: 329–334.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. K. Koh and M. J. Quon Combination Therapy for Treatment or Prevention of Atherosclerosis Hypertension, August 1, 2008; 52(2): e18 - e18. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Clemenz, N. Frost, M. Schupp, S. Caron, A. Foryst-Ludwig, C. Bohm, M. Hartge, R. Gust, B. Staels, T. Unger, et al. Liver-Specific Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {alpha} Target Gene Regulation by the Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Blocker Telmisartan Diabetes, May 1, 2008; 57(5): 1405 - 1413. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Dietz, S. Du, C. W. Bolten, M. A. Payne, C. Xia, J. R. Blinn, J. W. Funder, and X. Hu A Number of Marketed Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers Have Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Activity Hypertension, March 1, 2008; 51(3): 742 - 748. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Scalera, J. Martens-Lobenhoffer, A. Bukowska, U. Lendeckel, M. Tager, and S. M. Bode-Boger Effect of Telmisartan on Nitric Oxide-Asymmetrical Dimethylarginine System: Role of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor {gamma} Signaling During Endothelial Aging Hypertension, March 1, 2008; 51(3): 696 - 703. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Isobe, T. Takeda, M. Sakata, A. Miyake, T. Yamamoto, R. Minekawa, F. Nishimoto, Y. Oskamoto, C. L. Walker, and T. Kimura Dual repressive effect of angiotensin II-type 1 receptor blocker telmisartan on angiotensin II-induced and estradiol-induced uterine leiomyoma cell proliferation Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2008; 23(2): 440 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Walcher, K. Hess, P. Heinz, K. Petscher, D. Vasic, U. Kintscher, M. Clemenz, M. Hartge, K. Raps, V. Hombach, et al. Telmisartan Inhibits CD4-Positive Lymphocyte Migration Independent of the Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor via Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-{gamma} Hypertension, February 1, 2008; 51(2): 259 - 266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. V. Wang and P. E. Scherer Adiponectin, Cardiovascular Function, and Hypertension Hypertension, January 1, 2008; 51(1): 8 - 14. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Li, Y. Doerffel, B. Hocher, and T. Unger Inflammation in the genesis of hypertension and its complications the role of angiotensin II Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., November 1, 2007; 22(11): 3107 - 3109. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Schindler Review: The metabolic syndrome as an endocrine disease: is there an effective pharmacotherapeutic strategy optimally targeting the pathogenesis? Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease, October 1, 2007; 1(1): 7 - 26. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K.-H. Jung, K. Chu, S.-T. Lee, S.-J. Kim, E.-C. Song, E.-H. Kim, D.-K. Park, D.-I. Sinn, J.-M. Kim, M. Kim, et al. Blockade of AT1 Receptor Reduces Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Normotensive Rats with Intracerebral Hemorrhage J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., September 1, 2007; 322(3): 1051 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Gilliam-Davis, V. S. Payne, S. O. Kasper, E. N. Tommasi, M. E. Robbins, and D. I. Diz Long-term AT1 receptor blockade improves metabolic function and provides renoprotection in Fischer-344 rats Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2007; 293(3): H1327 - H1333. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Muniyappa, M. Montagnani, K. K. Koh, and M. J. Quon Cardiovascular Actions of Insulin Endocr. Rev., August 1, 2007; 28(5): 463 - 491. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. P. Singh, B. Le, V. B. Bhat, K. M. Baker, and R. Kumar High-glucose-induced regulation of intracellular ANG II synthesis and nuclear redistribution in cardiac myocytes Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2007; 293(2): H939 - H948. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.-M. Jin and Y. Pan Angiotensin type-1 receptor blockade with losartan increases insulin sensitivity and improves glucose homeostasis in subjects with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., July 1, 2007; 22(7): 1943 - 1949. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Boulanger, R. Mansouri, J. F. Gautier, and D. Glotz Reply--PPAR agonists in diabetic nephropathy Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., July 1, 2007; 22(7): 2095 - 2096. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Zanchi, A. G. Dulloo, C. Perregaux, J.-P. Montani, and M. Burnier Telmisartan prevents the glitazone-induced weight gain without interfering with its insulin-sensitizing properties Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2007; 293(1): E91 - E95. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Authors/Task Force Members:, G. Mancia, G. De Backer, A. Dominiczak, R. Cifkova, R. Fagard, G. Germano, G. Grassi, A. M. Heagerty, S. E. Kjeldsen, et al. 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension: The Task Force for the Management of Arterial Hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Eur. Heart J., June 11, 2007; (2007) ehm236v1. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh, M. J. Quon, Y. Lee, S. H. Han, J. Y. Ahn, W.-J. Chung, J.-a Kim, and E. K. Shin Additive beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic effects of combination therapy with ramipril and candesartan in hypertensive patients Eur. Heart J., June 2, 2007; 28(12): 1440 - 1447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Pravenec and T. W. Kurtz Molecular Genetics of Experimental Hypertension and the Metabolic Syndrome: From Gene Pathways to New Therapies Hypertension, May 1, 2007; 49(5): 941 - 952. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Matsushita, Y. Wu, Y. Okamoto, R. E. Pratt, and V. J. Dzau Local Renin Angiotensin Expression Regulates Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation to Adipocytes Hypertension, December 1, 2006; 48(6): 1095 - 1102. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M. Baker and R. Kumar Intracellular angiotensin II induces cell proliferation independent of AT1 receptor Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, November 1, 2006; 291(5): C995 - C1001. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Boulanger, R. Mansouri, J. F. Gautier, and D. Glotz Are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors new therapeutic targets in diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathies? Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., October 1, 2006; 21(10): 2696 - 2702. [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Nagai, Y. Oike, K. Izumi-Nagai, T. Urano, Y. Kubota, K. Noda, Y. Ozawa, M. Inoue, K. Tsubota, T. Suda, et al. Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor-Mediated Inflammation Is Required for Choroidal Neovascularization Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., October 1, 2006; 26(10): 2252 - 2259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Imayama, T. Ichiki, K. Inanaga, H. Ohtsubo, K. Fukuyama, H. Ono, Y. Hashiguchi, and K. Sunagawa Telmisartan downregulates angiotensin II type 1 receptor through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} Cardiovasc Res, October 1, 2006; 72(1): 184 - 190. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. van Zwieten and G. Mancia Background and treatment of metabolic syndrome: a therapeutic challenge. Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, September 1, 2006; 10(3): 206 - 214. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Araki, T. Masaki, I. Katsuragi, K. Tanaka, T. Kakuma, and H. Yoshimatsu Telmisartan Prevents Obesity and Increases the Expression of Uncoupling Protein 1 in Diet-Induced Obese Mice Hypertension, July 1, 2006; 48(1): 51 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. M. Sharma Telmisartan: The ACE of ARBs? Hypertension, May 1, 2006; 47(5): 822 - 823. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Sugimoto, N. R. Qi, L. Kazdova, M. Pravenec, T. Ogihara, and T. W. Kurtz Telmisartan But Not Valsartan Increases Caloric Expenditure and Protects Against Weight Gain and Hepatic Steatosis Hypertension, May 1, 2006; 47(5): 1003 - 1009. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-a Kim, M. Montagnani, K. K. Koh, and M. J. Quon Reciprocal Relationships Between Insulin Resistance and Endothelial Dysfunction: Molecular and Pathophysiological Mechanisms Circulation, April 18, 2006; 113(15): 1888 - 1904. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Schupp, L. D. Lee, N. Frost, S. Umbreen, B. Schmidt, T. Unger, and U. Kintscher Regulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {gamma} Activity by Losartan Metabolites Hypertension, March 1, 2006; 47(3): 586 - 589. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh, M. J. Quon, S. H. Han, W.-J. Chung, J. Y. Ahn, J.-a Kim, Y. Lee, and E. K. Shin Additive Beneficial Effects of Fenofibrate Combined With Candesartan in the Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemic Hypertensive Patients Diabetes Care, February 1, 2006; 29(2): 195 - 201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh, S. H. Han, and M. J. Quon Inflammatory Markers and the Metabolic Syndrome: Insights From Therapeutic Interventions J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 6, 2005; 46(11): 1978 - 1985. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Schupp, M. Clemenz, R. Gineste, H. Witt, J. Janke, S. Helleboid, N. Hennuyer, P. Ruiz, T. Unger, B. Staels, et al. Molecular Characterization of New Selective Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {gamma} Modulators With Angiotensin Receptor Blocking Activity Diabetes, December 1, 2005; 54(12): 3442 - 3452. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-M. Vincent, Y. W. Kwan, S. Lung Chan, C. Perrin-Sarrado, J. Atkinson, and J.-M. Chillon Constrictor and Dilator Effects of Angiotensin II on Cerebral Arterioles Stroke, December 1, 2005; 36(12): 2691 - 2695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

H. Zhang, A. Zhang, D.E. Kohan, R.D. Nelson, F.J. Gonzales, T. Yang, C. Schmidt-Lucke, L. Rossig, S. Fichtlscherer, M. Vasa, et al. Edema and Congestive Heart Failure from Thiazolidone Insulin Sensitizers--Excess Sodium Reabsoption in the Collecting Duct: Collecting Duct-Specific Deletion of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {gamma} Blocks Thiazolidinedione-Induced Fluid Retention. Proc Nat Acad Sci U S A 102: 9406-9411, 2005 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., November 1, 2005; 16(11): 3139 - 3142.