Eplerenone, an aldosterone blocker, is more effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with, than without, metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Recently, the role of aldosterone in metabolic syndrome (MS) has aroused interest and several reports have suggested that aldosterone blockade could be beneficial in reducing blood pressure (BP).

METHODS

To examine the add-on effects of eplerenone (EP) on BP in patients with MS, 54 hypertensive patients with MS and 44 without MS were recruited. Systolic and diastolic BPs in mmHg before the initiation of EP was 144/84 ± 13/12 (MS group) and 147/85 ± 12/14 (non-MS group). Before the start of EP, all patients in both groups were treated with at least one antihypertensive drug. BPs were checked on every visit (at least every 2 months) and serum chemistries were measured every 4 months. The levels of microalbuminuria and aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) were determined before the start of and at the end of the study. Patients were followed for 1 year. If adverse effects were reported by patients or found in laboratory studies, EP was withdrawn.

RESULTS

One month after the start of EP, BPs were decreased to 140/80 ± 12/12 mmHg (MS group) versus 142/82 ± 11/12 mmHg (non-MS group) and there was no difference between the two groups. Towards the end of the study, BPs of both groups gradually decreased. At the end of the study, BPs of both groups were 129/76 ± 15/13 mmHg (MS group) versus 133/78 ± 13/11 mmHg (non-MS group). There was a significant difference in reduction of systolic BP between the two groups (p < 0.05). Add-on EP significantly decreased the levels of urinary excretion of albumin in MS patients but not in non-MS patients (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between reduction of systolic BP and NT pro-BNP but not microalbuminuria in the MS group (p < 0.05). There were no serious adverse effects in both groups.

CONCLUSION

EP may have some beneficial effects in lowering BP in patients with reduction of microalbuminuria.