Changes After Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor Replacement by Angiotensin II Receptor Type I (AT1) Blocker

It is supposed that the significant metabolic effects (improvement of insulin sensitivity) of hypertension therapy with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers in humans are mediated mainly via changes in abdominal adipose tissue. This project is aimed to confirm the hypothesis that increased concentrations of circulatory angiotensin II after angiotensin II receptor type I (AT1) blockade leads, via stimulation of angiotensin II receptor type II (AT2), to activation of adipogenesis and improvement of insulin sensitivity. Therefore, in hypertensive patients, the components of RAS and the parameters of insulin sensitivity on systemic (in plasma) and local (in adipose tissue and in its interstitial fluid) level will be studied. The main aim of the study is to identify the changes occurring in patient before and 6 months after the conversion of therapy from angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to AT1 receptor blockers. Observed parameters will include gene expression of RAS components, parameters of insulin sensitivity, amount, and cellularity of adipose tissue obtained by biopsy, evaluation of direct production of cytokines and angiotensins into the interstitial fluid of fat tissue obtained by microdialysis and evaluation of the selected parameters in plasma.