Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Blockers Induce Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-γ Activity

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) blockers (ARB) have been shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus by an unknown molecular mechanism. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is the central regulator of insulin and glucose metabolism improving insulin sensitivity. We investigated the regulation of PPARgamma function by ARBs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The ARBs irbesartan and telmisartan (10 micromol/L) potently enhanced PPARgamma-dependent 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation associated with a significant increase in mRNA expression of the adipogenic marker gene adipose protein 2 (aP2), as measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (irbesartan:…

• S
  Sanofi
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft