title: Angiotensin II type-I receptor blocker, candesartan, improves brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity independent of its blood pressure lowering effects in type 2 diabetes patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension in diabetic patients has been shown to accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis and angiotensin II type-I (AT1) receptor blocker (ARB) has been shown to have anti-atherosclerosis action independent of its action on blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension received either ARB (candesartan), or a calcium channel blocker (CCB; amlodipine or nifedipine) for 12 weeks. Though clinical parameters such as blood glucose, HbA1c, and systolic and diastolic pressure were not significantly changed between the two groups, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was significantly reduced in the candesartan group when compared to CCB groups. Moreover, candesartan treatment exhibited a tendency of reduction in inflammation markers such as high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that candesartan may improve vascular inflammation independent of its effect on hypertension in diabetes, thus suggesting its efficacy in diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Life Science and Bioethics Research Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo.
authors.forename: Hideto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Toyohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index / Q000379:methods; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; C081643:candesartan