Effect of telmisartan on metabolic syndrome components and cardiovascular protection: A prospective observational study.

Anand  Acharya; Monika Patel  Kodela; Nageswara  Rao  Tokala

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2156

Authors

Dr.Anand Acharya Dean and Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr.Monika Patel Kodela Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. Nageswar Rao Tokala Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2156

Keywords:

Telmisartan, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Cardiovascular Protection, Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ)

Abstract

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and insulin resistance, which substantially increase the risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. .To evaluate the effect of telmisartan on the components of metabolic syndrome and its role in cardiovascular protection.

Methods

This prospective observational study included 100 patients with MetS, treated with telmisartan (40–80 mg daily) for 24 weeks. Blood pressure, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, waist circumference, and BMI were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Cardiovascular protection was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Data were analysed using paired t-tests, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results

Telmisartan significantly reduced systolic (152.8 ± 12.6 to 132.6 ± 8.7 mmHg; p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (94.6 ± 8.1 to 82.3 ± 6.1 mmHg; p<0.001). Fasting glucose (118.6 ± 16.4 to 104.8 ± 12.7 mg/dL; p<0.01), fasting insulin (16.2 ± 4.8 to 11.7 ± 3.9 µU/mL; p<0.01), and HOMA-IR (4.8 ± 1.5 to 3.1 ± 1.1; p<0.01) improved significantly. Lipid profile showed reduced triglycerides and LDL-C, and increased HDL-C. Waist circumference and BMI decreased modestly (p<0.05). Cardiovascular protection markers improved, with reduced PWV (10.2 ± 1.8 to 8.7 ± 1.5 m/s; p<0.01) and increased FMD (6.4 ± 1.3% to 9.1 ± 1.6%; p<0.01). Telmisartan was well tolerated with only mild, transient adverse events.

Conclusion

Telmisartan effectively improves multiple components of metabolic syndrome while enhancing vascular function, thereby offering both metabolic and cardiovascular protection. Its dual ARB and PPAR-γ activity make it a valuable therapeutic option in high-risk MetS patients.

Recommendations

Telmisartan should be preferred in metabolic syndrome for simultaneous blood pressure control, improved insulin sensitivity, and enhanced cardiovascular protection.

Author Biographies

Dr.Anand Acharya, Dean and Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology), currently serves as Dean and Professor, Department of Pharmacology, at the Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation (KIMS&RF), Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India. A distinguished academician, researcher, and medical education leader, he has been pivotal in transforming KIMS&RF from its formative phase into a premier medical institution with over 200 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate seats.

With more than 18 years of teaching and administrative experience, Dr. Acharya has held several leadership positions including Vice Principal, Principal, Chief Warden, Member Secretary of Institutional Ethics and Animal Ethics Committees, and is an approved PhD Guide under Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada. His visionary leadership has significantly enhanced the institution’s academic quality, clinical exposure, research infrastructure, and postgraduate training standards.

He has successfully completed prestigious national faculty development programs such as the Revised Basic Course Workshop (rBCW), Advance Course in Medical Education (ACME), and National Teacher Training Course (NTTC, JIPMER, Puducherry). He also serves as Coordinator for Pharmacovigilance and Materiovigilance Programs under IPC–PvPI and MoHFW, Government of India, contributing actively to national drug safety and regulatory initiatives.

A prolific academician, Dr. Acharya has authored and co-authored more than 100 scientific publications in reputed national and international indexed journals. His wide-ranging research covers toxicology, pharmacovigilance, antimicrobial resistance, endocrinology, neuropharmacology, and clinical pharmacology. His recent studies include long-term analyses of pyrethroid, paraquat, and chlorpyrifos poisoning, investigations into antimicrobial resistance trends, and predictive models for treatment outcomes in dermatological and toxicological emergencies.

Dr. Acharya’s professional interests include clinical pharmacology, toxicovigilance, rational drug use, pharmacovigilance systems, and innovations in medical education technologies. He continues to mentor numerous postgraduate and undergraduate researchers while playing an integral role in curriculum reform, ethics governance, and institutional academic advancement.ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7967-9092

Dr.Monika Patel Kodela, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India

holds an MBBS degree from Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Amalapuram (2009–2014), and pursued her MD in Pharmacology at Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada (2017–2020). She is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her academic interests include clinical pharmacology, drug safety, and rational therapeutics, with a focus on advancing pharmacovigilance and evidence-based prescribing practices. She is actively engaged in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students while contributing to departmental research activities. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5176-5631

Dr. Nageswar Rao Tokala, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Dr. T. Nageswara rao is currently serving as an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He holds a doctoral degree in Medical Pharmacology from the prestigious Index Medical College and Research Institute, Madhya Pradesh. With over 16 years of teaching experience in various medical institutions, Dr. Nageswararao has made significant contributions to the field of pharmacology. His academic work includes nine research publications in reputed national and international journals, including one article indexed in PubMed. His dedication to research and education continues to enrich the academic and clinical landscape of medical pharmacology. ORCID iD:https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1638-6897

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