Relationship between the receptor occupancy profile and pleiotropic effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers.

AIM: To investigate whether (i) angiotensin receptor occupying profiles of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) vary among the drugs and (ii) such differences contribute to the degree of their pleiotropic effects. METHODS: In a randomized, three phase crossover study, nine hypertensive patients received repeated doses (each recommended starting dose for 7 days and then each maximum recommended dose for 20 days) of irbesartan, valsartan and candesartan. The time course profiles and trough level of receptor occupancy were determined on days 7 and 28, respectively. The pleiotropic effect related parameters were measured on days 0 and 28 in each trial. RESULTS: Of the pleiotropic effect related parameters investigated, urinary 8-isoprostane, fasting serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index were more suppressed after 4 weeks treatment with irbesartan than after candesartan and valsartan therapy, respectively. The maximum, area under the curve and trough values of receptor occupancy significantly differed between the ARBs [geometric mean (and 95% CI) of trough value 18.1 (12.9, 25.3) for irbesartan, 9.6 (6.0, 15.3) for valsartan and 5.5 (2.8, 10.8) for candesartan, respectively] and were negatively correlated with the change in urinary 8-isoprostane (r = -0.46 - -0.55, P < 0.05), but not the markers of insulin resistance (r = 0.02-0.15, P = 0.46-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the receptor occupying profiles are different among the ARBs. This class of drugs might have both receptor occupancy dependent and independent pleiotropic effects.