Pioglitazone and Losartan Modify Hemodynamic and Metabolic Parameters and Vascular Prostanoids in Fructose-overloaded Rats

This study analyzes the effects of losartan (AT1 blocker) and pioglitazone (insulin sensitizer), alone and in combination, in the fructose-overloaded rat, a model of metabolic syndrome. All treatments (nine weeks) reduced blood pressure and triglyceridemia and also restored the diminished release of vasodilator prostaglandins (prostacyclin in aorta and mesenteric vascular bed and prostaglandin E(2) in the latter). Pioglitazone, alone and in combination with losartan, reduced the release of the vasoconstrictor thromboxane in controls and fructose rats in both vascular preparations. In conclusion, although combination therapy and single treatments exerted similar effects, there may still be some advantage to the combined treatment.