Effects of losartan and amlodipine on plasma leptin and adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in obese hypertensive patients

Objective To observe the effects of losartan and amlodipine on blood pressure,plasma levels of leptin,adiponectin and norepinephrine (NE) and insulin sensitivity in obese hypertensive patients.Methods The levels of plasma leptin and adiponectin were determined by RIA and the plasma NE level was assayed by high- performance liquid chromatography.Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was evaluated using the homeostasis model.Results Compared with basal levels,after 16-weeks' therapy,plasma leptin,HOMA-IR and body mass index were significantly decreased in losartan group [(35.6±18.5 vs 32.0±17.1)μg/L,P0.05 ;8.6±2.7 vs 6.1±2.1,P0.05;(28.9±3.8 vs 27.3±3.2) kg/m~2,P0.05;respectively],plasma adiponectin was significantly increased [(9.34±3.12 vs 12.45±4.52)mg/L,P0.01],while no such changes were found in amlodipine group.Serum NE was significantly increased in amlodipine group after treatment [(324±112 vs 449±122) ng/L,P0.01],but it was not seen in losartan group [(322±115 vs 325±121) ng/L].Conclusion In obese hypertensive patients,losartan and amlodipine exert similar antihypertensive effect,but losartan may help to improve some obesity-related disorders.