A novel approach to treatment of hypertension in diabetic patients - a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study comparing the efficacy of combination therapy of Eprosartan versus Ramipril with low-dose Hydrochlorothiazide and Moxonidine on blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension and associated diabetes mellitus type 2 - rationale and design [ISRCTN55725285]

Effect of moxonidine and amlodipine on serum YKL-40, plasma lipids and insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant hypertensive patients-a randomized, crossover trial

Moxonidine is a selective imidazoline receptor agonist with comparable blood pressure-lowering efficacy to first-line antihypertensives and favorable metabolic effects. YKL-40 (chitinase-3-1-protein) has been proposed as a new marker of inflammation, atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in neoplastic, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases but has not yet been studied in the context of essential hypertension. Fifteen patients (10 M, 5 F; age 48+/-14 years) with arterial hypertension and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR index >2.77) on at least two antihypertensive drugs were randomized to receive either moxonidine (0.4 mg) or amlodipine (10 mg) for two 8-week periods with a 7-day wash-out. Serum insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), lipids, uric acid, YKL-40 and blood pressure were measured and insulin sensitivity was calculated (HOMA) at the beginning and end of each study phase. Mean BP decreased significantly with both moxonidine and amlodipine (-9.8+/-7.6 and -10.4+/-7.3 mm Hg, respectively). Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased with both therapies, but only moxonidine-affected serum triglycerides. No significant changes in serum uric acid, CRP, YKL-40 (2.3 and 3.3 ng ml(-1), respectively) or HOMA index (0.70+/-2.4 and 0.76+/-2.8) were observed. There was a strong negative correlation between serum uric acid and YKL-40 concentration at baseline (r=-0.77, P=0.01). Serum YKL-40 did not correlate with blood pressure, biochemical parameters or HOMA index. Moxonidine is an effective adjunctive antihypertensive agent for use in patients with hypertension and insulin resistance that induces beneficial effects on serum lipid profile but does not reduce insulin resistance, inflammation or serum YKL-40 concentration.

Metabolic syndrome: treatment of hypertensive patients

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyndr), a constellation of abnormalities [obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia (low HDL-cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides (TG)], and elevated blood pressure (BP)], increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and premature death. From 10% to 30% of the adult population in industrialized countries has MetSyndr, which effectively predicts the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and CV disease. Because of the complex etiology of MetSyndr, a multi-targeted, integrated therapeutic approach is required to simultaneously treat high BP, obesity, lipid disorders and T2D (if present), to fully protect CV, cerebrovascular and renal systems. If lifestyle modification (weight control, diet, exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake) is ineffective, pharmaco-theraphy should be added to treat simultaneously the lipid- and non-lipid CV risk factors. Patients with HTN and MetSyndr should be started on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, unless contraindicated. The ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce the odds of developing new onset T2D and also decrease albuminuria. The ACE inhibitors provide cardioprotective and renoprotective benefits beyond their effect on BP; they also improve IR. The ARBs are renoprotective in addition to being cardioprotective. Long-acting calcium channel blockers are also recommended in hypertensive patients with MetSyndr; these drugs also improve IR. Thiazides (at low doses) and selected ss-blockers can be given to patients with HTN and MetSyndr. Celiprolol in combination with diuretics has a favorable effect on glucose tolerance and IR in patients with HTN and MetSyndr, and spironolactone added to ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy provides additional reno- and CV protective benefits in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Carvedilol, a ss-blocker with vasodilating properties, added to ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy, is effective in preventing worsening of microalbuminuria in patients with HTN and MetSyndr; it also improves IR and glycemic control. Most patients eventually require two or more antihypertensive drugs to reach BP goal. It is recommended that therapy in patients whose BP is more than 20/10 mm Hg above target at diagnosis be initiated with a combination of antihypertensive drugs, administered either as individual drugs or as fixed-dose formulations. Treatment with fixed-dose combinations, such as irbesartan + hydrochlorothiazide provides good BP control in more than two-thirds of hypertensive patients with MetSyndr. Lipid and BP targets are reached in a high percent of patients with HTN and CV disease treated with a combination of amlodipine + atorvastatin. In conclusion, hypertensive patients with the MetSyndr be treated aggressively for each component of the syndrome to provide CV, cerebrovascular and renal protection.

Moxonidine: a review of its use in essential hypertension

Moxonidine (Physiotens, Moxon, Cynt) is an orally administered imidazoline compound with selective agonist activity at imidazoline I1 receptors and only minor activity at alpha2-adrenoceptors. Moxonidine acts centrally to reduce peripheral sympathetic activity, thus decreasing peripheral vascular resistance. In patients with mild to moderate hypertension, moxonidine reduces blood pressure (BP) as effectively as most first-line antihypertensives when used as monotherapy and is also an effective adjunctive therapy in combination with other antihypertensive agents. It improves the metabolic profile in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, is well tolerated, has a low potential for drug interactions and may be administered once daily in most patients. Thus, moxonidine is a good option in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate hypertension, particularly as adjunctive therapy in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Protective ability and binding affinity of captopril towards serum albumin in an in vitro glycation model of diabetes mellitus

One-quarter of adult population in different world regions are reported to live with hypertension, of whom, a high percentage had a diabetes mellitus (DM). This co-morbid state is believed to act synergistically on accelerating the long-term diabetic complications. Therefore, adequate treatment of high blood pressure is essential for diabetic patients, and should be always directed to their benefits. Albumin glycation is still the most important explanation for the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications. Our in vitro experiments induce non-enzymatic glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) under physiological conditions. The levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were measured by their characteristic intrinsic fluorescence. Additions of captopril at concentrations from 5 to 50 microM caused 10-47% reduction in the formation of AGEs. Captopril binding properties of native and glycosylated BSA were characterized, and its affinity towards the native albumin was unaltered by the in vitro glycation. Therefore, we concluded that captopril could protect against albumin glycation, and it has a similar binding affinities towards native and glcosylated protein. Anti-glycation effect may help to attenuate the serious long-term diabetes related complications. Besides, the unchanged pharmacokinetic parameters provide an essential extra beneficial effect for diabetic hypertensive patients.