Effect of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, candesartan, on insulin resistance and pressor mechanisms in essential hypertension

Candesartan (8 mg/d) was administered for 2 weeks to eight patients with es sential hypertension to investigate the effect of an angiotensin II recepto r antagonist on insulin sensitivity. The effect of candesartan on sodium-re taining action and the activation of presser systems by hyperinsulinaemia, which might be related to presser mechanisms in essential hypertension, was also investigated in this study, In patients with essential hypertension, candesartan restored insulin sensitivity to the level of that in normotensi ve subjects. Candesartan treatment attenuated the sodium-retaining action o f hyperinsulinaemia. These findings suggest that inhibition of angiotensin II action by candesartan can improve insulin sensitivity and inhibit the so dium-retaining action associated with hyperinsulinaemia in essential hypert ension.