Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the antihypertensive drug, telmisartan, have both been shown to modify cardiovascular
risks. The effects of a combination of these two agents have, however, not been investigated. This 20 week study sought to
assess the therapeutic potential of a CLA/telmisartan co-administration in rats fed a high-fructose high-fat diet. Thirty-three
male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups, including control, losartan, telmisartan, CLA,
and CLA + telmisartan-treated animals. Body weight, blood pressure, and blood levels of lipids, glucose, insulin, and inflammatory
markers were measured. Co-administration of CLA and telmisartan resulted in significant (
P < 0.05) reductions in body weight, visceral fat, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, plasma insulin concentrations,
and systolic blood pressure compared with those in the control group. Moreover, plasma levels of IL1-α and IFN-γ were reduced
and levels of IL1-β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10, plus TNF-α were increased in the co-therapy group, compared with controls. In
conclusion, this study suggests that a combination of CLA with telmisartan may modify several risk factors of cardiovascular
disease commonly seen in metabolic syndrome. This combination of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals may be a safe and cost-effective
strategy in a number of high-risk subjects. Future studies will further document clinical benefits of such combination therapy.
Keywords Cardiovascular disease - Metabolic syndrome - Obesity - Diabetes - Conjugated linoleic acid - Telmisartan - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Fatty acid - Angiotensin II receptor blocker