The effects of valsartan on lipid profile in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients

Valsartan as angiotensin-II receptor antagonist in normotensive diabetic may provide kidney and heart protection. It also increases insulin receptor sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of valsartan on lipid profile in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients. Fifteen normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, mean age 58.6+/-5.6 years, with mean BMI 28.6+/-2.5 kg/m2, were treated with valsartan in doses 20-80 mg per day. After a year of treatment with valsartan we witnessed significant decrease in total cholesterol level (6.8+/-1.4 to 5.4+/-0.9 mmol/l, p<0.05) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) from 4.5 to 2.7 mmol/l. Triglycerides were not affected significantly. Albumin excretion in urine significantly decreased. Level of basal insulin (from 256 to 78 pmol/l) has, also, decreased. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the use of angiotensin-II receptor antagonists reduces the progression from micro to macro albuminuria. These results suggest that the angiotensin-II receptor antagonist decreases lipid serum levels in normotensive diabetes mellitus type 2 patients.