Troglitazone lowers blood pressure in the fat-fed rat

A high fat diet induces hypertension, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. The precise mechanism by which these metabolic abnormalities relate to elevated arterial presure is unclear. Troglitazone (CS-045) an insulin sensitizing agent has been reported to reverse the effects of hyperinsulinemia in diabetic patients who are obese, hypertensive and insulin resistant. Hence, the goal of this study was to determine if troglitazone would prevent the increase in blood pressure in response to high fat intake. Male Sprague Dawley rats were placed on one of the two following diets for approximately 4 weeks: high fat (Harlan Teklad TD 95047) + CS-045 (n=6), high fat (n=5). The results are summarized in the table: High fat High fat +CS-045 Insulin (uU/mL) 63± 13 30± 9 * Triglycerides (mg/dL) 41± 5 28± 3 * Glucose (mg/dL) 165± 10 155±19 Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 128±3 110±2 * body weight (g) 375± 20 315± 15 * * p<0.05 vs control or high fat; data arc means ± SE. CS-045 was effective in decreasing blood pressure, weight gain and triglycerides in the high fat fed animal model. We conclude that insulin sensitivity is mechanistically related to elevated blood pressure in this rat model of hypertension.