Anti-hyperglycemic activity of moxonidine: metabolic and molecular effects in obese spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension and insulin resistance are often part of a complex set of abnormalities including obesity, hyperlipidemia, and glucose intolerance, described as syndrome X. Besides a common genetic basis, insulin resistance and hypertension might be linked by excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system. We studied the effects of chronic inhibition of sympathetic activity with the antihypertensive agent moxonidine on glucose metabolism in the genetically obese SHR Koletsky rat (SHROB), a unique animal model which closely resembles human syndrome X, expressing genetic obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Moxonidine, a selective I1-imidazoline receptor agonist, was administered to SHROB and SHR for 90 days in food at 8 mg/kg/day. Moxonidine not only lowered blood pressure, but also reduced fasting insulin levels by 49% in SHROB, and reduced plasma free fatty acids by 30%. In lean SHR, moxonidine treatment decreased circulating free fatty acids by 33% compared to controls. During oral glucose tolerance tests, blood glucose levels in moxonidine-treated SHROB were reduced from 60 min onwards, and there was a sharply higher insulin secretion post-challenge compared to control SHROB. Western blot analysis of insulin signaling proteins showed that IRS-1 was decreased 42% in control SHROB compared with SHR. Moxonidine treatment enhanced the expression of IRS-1 protein in skeletal muscle by 74% in SHROB and 40% in SHR. Moxonidine increased expression of IRS-1 protein in liver by 245% in SHROB and 268% in SHR. Long-term inhibition of sympathetic activity with moxonidine therapy lowered free fatty acids and significantly improved insulin secretion, glucose disposal, and expression of key insulin signaling intermediates. Thus, moxonidine should be considered for the treatment of multiple metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities associated with syndrome X.