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Lisinopril improves endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive NIDDM subjects with diabetic nephropathy

F S Nielsen1, P Rossing, M A Gall

  • 1Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark.

Insights

Lisinopril improved endothelial function and reduced albuminuria in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, unlike atenolol. This suggests lisinopril offers both kidney and blood vessel protection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is common in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with hypertension and albuminuria, contributing to cardiovascular disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in NIDDM patients.
  • Diabetic nephropathy is a significant complication associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition with lisinopril versus conventional antihypertensive treatment with atenolol on endothelial dysfunction.
  • To evaluate whether lisinopril could ameliorate endothelial dysfunction more effectively than atenolol in hypertensive NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy.
  • To assess the impact of lisinopril and atenolol on blood pressure, albuminuria, and endothelial function markers.

Main Methods:

  • A 12-month prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel study.
  • Involved 43 hypertensive NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy.
  • Measured 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERalb), serum von Willebrand factor (vWF), and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE).

Main Results:

  • Both lisinopril and atenolol equally reduced mean ambulatory blood pressure.
  • Lisinopril significantly decreased TERalb (a marker of endothelial function), while atenolol increased it (p=0.015).
  • Urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE) was reduced by 45% with lisinopril versus 10% with atenolol (p=0.014).

Conclusions:

  • Lisinopril demonstrated reno- and vasculoprotective properties in hypertensive NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy.
  • ACE inhibition with lisinopril appears more beneficial for endothelial function and albuminuria than atenolol in this patient population.
  • These findings highlight the potential of lisinopril in managing cardiovascular risk in diabetic nephropathy.

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