Possible Hepatoprotective Effect of Telmisartan in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Sahar Mohamed Kamal saharkamal2003@hotmail.com Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex of highly debilitating disorders including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, is associated with the development of visceral obesity. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blockers and partial agonist on peroxisome proliferative activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), showed a promising protective effect on MetS. The present study investigated the possible hepatic protective effect of telmisartan in an albino rat model of MetS with a focus on some proinflammatory cytokines: MCP-1 and TNF-α protein in hepatic tissue homogenates. Adult albino rats were divided into three groups and treated for 8 weeks as follow: group 1 fed standard rat’s diet and served as normal control group; group 2 fed high carbohydrate-high Fat Diet (HCHF); group 3 fed high carbohydrate-high Fat Diet (HCHF); plus telmisartan at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day by oral gavage. A pilot study was done on the effect of temisartan alone on these markers under the regular chow diet condition and no changes were reported on their levels compared to group (1). Administration of telmisartan in group (3) showed a significant decrease in liver index, a decrease in hepatic triglycerides, a decrease in serum ALT enzyme and a significant reduction in hepatic MCP-1 and TNF-α protein with a significant reduction in the elevated non-invasive mean blood pressure. The results indicate that telmisartan could be considered as a potential adjuvant therapy of MetS.