Objective: Telmisartan is a unique angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor blocker (ARB) with selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). We therefore investigated the effects of telmisartan on endothelial function and atherosclerotic change in genetically hyperlipidemic rabbits, compared with candesartan, an ARB without PPARγ activity.
Methods: A total of 30 Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits equally derived (n = 6 each) were treated with (1) vehicle (control), (2) GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist (0.5 mg/kg per day), (3) telmisartan (5 mg/kg per day), (4) telmisartan + GW9662, (5) candesartan (5 mg/kg per day) for 8 weeks. After treatment, acetylcholine (ACh)-induced nitric oxide production was measured as a surrogate for endothelium protective function, and vascular nitrotyrosine (a product of superoxide and nitric oxide) was measured for assessing dysfunctional endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. Plaque area was quantified by histology.
Results: Telmisartan increased ACh-induced nitric oxide by 5.5 nmol/l, significantly more than control. Interestingly, cotreatment with GW9662 significantly attenuated telmisartan-induced ACh-induced nitric oxide almost to the levels observed with candesartan. Vascular nitrotyrosine concentration was 1.4 pmol/mg protein in the control group and significantly higher than that in the telmisartan or candesartan group. The lowest nitrotyrosine concentration was observed in the telmisartan group, which was significantly lower than that in the candesartan or telmisartan + GW9662 group. Histology of the thoracic aorta revealed that the plaque area was more significantly decreased in the telmisartan group than in the candesartan or telmisartan + GW9662 group.
Conclusion: In addition to a class effect of ARBs, telmisartan may have additional effects on nitric oxide bioavailability and atherosclerotic change through its PPARγ-mediated effects in genetically hyperlipidemic rabbits.