[ACE inhibitor in metabolic syndrome]

The metabolic syndrome is characterized by cluster-like occurrence of various risk-factors for vascular disease: overweight, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperproteinuria. In the pathogenesis of this syndrome the peripheral resistance to insulin leading to hyperinsulinemia plays most likely a central role, as the development of individual components of the metabolic syndrome may causally be explained in this way. Various possible explanations exist for the development of insulin resistance: on the receptor level, as a result of changes in the capillary bed or in muscle fiber composition, or resulting from disturbed circulation of muscles. Clinical symptoms of hyperinsulinemia are hypertension, lipodystrophy, and type II diabetes. Patients with metabolic syndrome represent a group at high risk for arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Therapy aims primarily at reduction of hyperinsulinemia as the underlying factor. In particular non-medical intervention plays an important role (reduction of body weight, exercise). In drug therapy of hypertension only such antihypertensives which remain neutral to metabolism should be applied, i.e., ACE-inhibitors which even improve the metabolic condition.