Effects of blocking of angiotensin system on the prevalenceof metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients

Objective: To evaluate prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients treated with antihypertensive drugs that inhibit renin angiotensin system.

Methodology: Two groups of patients were included in this study. The first group involved 130 hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients taking enalapril, captopril (Converting Enzyme inhibitors), valsartan or telmisartan (Angiotensin II receptor blockers) as monotherapy whereas group 2 involved 92 type 2 diabetic patients with normal blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to criteria made by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Serum glucose concentration, serum triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol were measured by using special kits.

Results: The percentage of patients having metabolic syndrome was lower in group 1 (58.47%) as compared with group 2 (73%). Waist circumferences, triglycerides and FBS were significantly lower in group 1 as compared with group 2. BP and HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in group 1 as compared with group 2.

Conclusion: Inhibition of RAS by converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers captopril, enalapril, valsartan or telmisartan produce beneficial effects on the markers of metabolic syndrome and can reduce the frequency of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients.