title: Irbesartan treatment reduces biomarkers of inflammatory activity in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria: an IRMA 2 substudy.
abstract: The impact of irbesartan treatment on biomarkers of low-grade inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, growth factors, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) during the Irbesartan in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Microalbuminuria (IRMA 2) study was evaluated. IRMA 2 was a 2-year multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial in patients comparing irbesartan (150 or 300 mg once daily) versus placebo. The primary end point was onset of overt nephropathy. A subgroup (n = 269, 68%) was analyzed for biomarkers at baseline and after 1 and 2 years. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, fibrinogen, adhesion molecules, transforming growth factor-beta, and AGE peptides were assessed. Irbesartan treatment yielded significant changes in hs-CRP (based on generalized estimating equation regression coefficient) with a 5.4% decrease per year versus a 10% increase per year in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Fibrinogen decreased 0.059 g/l per year from baseline versus placebo's 0.059 g/l increase per year (P = 0.027). IL-6 showed a 1.8% increase per year compared with placebo's 6.5% increase per year (P = 0.005). Changes in IL-6 were associated with changes in albumin excretion (P = 0.04). There was no treatment effect on the other biomarkers. Irbesartan (300 mg once daily) reduces low-grade inflammation in this high-risk population, and this may reduce the risk of micro- and macrovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Steno Diabetes Center, Niels Steensenvej 2, DK-2820 Gentofte, Denmark. frip@steno.dk
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rossing
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hovind
authors.forename: Coen D A
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Stehouwer
authors.forename: Casper
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schalkwijk
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tarnow
authors.forename: Hans-Henrik
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Parving
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000077405:Irbesartan