Effect of antihypertensive agents on plasma adiponectin levels in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome

Aim: Plasma adiponectin levels are well associated with metabolic syndrome. However, the relationship between hypertension and plasma adiponectin levels is not clear. Also, there is not enough data about the effects of different antihypertensive regimens on plasma adiponectin levels. Methods: Ninety‐six hypertensive patients (48 male, 48 female) who fulfil the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome were enrolled. Patients were treated for 3 months with metoprolol (n = 18, 100 mg/day), amlodipine (n = 20, 10 mg/day), doxazosin (n = 18, 4 mg/day), ramipril (n = 20, 5 mg/day) and valsartan (n = 20, 80 mg/day). Blood biochemistry and plasma adiponectin concentrations were measured both before and after the study. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis assessment index (HOMA). Results: Plasma adiponectin levels were correlated with the total cholesterol (r = −0.244, P = 0.017), triglyceride (r = −0.306, P = 0.002), high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (r = 0.286, P = 0.005), body mass index (r = −374, P