An Adipose Tissue-Independent Insulin-Sensitizing Action of Telmisartan: a Study in Lipodystrophic Mice

Adipose tissue plays an important role in energy balance and metabolism and is the major target for insulin-sensitizing peroxi-some proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists. The an-giotensin II type 1 receptor blocker telmisartan, a partial agonist of PPAR-, has been demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity. However, there is uncertainty about the sites of its action. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with telmisartan (3 mg/kg p.o.) for 7 weeks decreased plasma glucose levels in oral glucose and insulin tolerance tests and the index of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in A-ZIP/F-1 transgenic mice, an animal model of lipodystrophy. These effects were accompanied by decreases in circulating triglyceride and fatty acid levels. How-ever, this treatment did not affect body weight and plasma adi-ponectin, leptin, and corticosterone levels. In A-ZIP/F-1 mous