Fixed combination of ramipril and indapamide in patients with hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: focus on the large arteries

Objective. To assess the effect of antihypertensive therapy with ramipril and indapamide on the elasticity of the vascular wall of the large arteries in relation to insulin resistance and chronic low-intensity inammation in patients with hypertension (HTN) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Design and methods. An open prospective controlled study was conducted: 30 patients with HTN stage I–II in combination with NAFLD (Fatty Liver Index (FLI) > 60) at the age of 45–65 years were included. Washout period was scheduled 5–7 days before the baseline examination, followed by the prescription of one of the xed combinations of ramipril (2,5/5 mg/day) and indapamide (0,625/1,25 mg), depending on the required dosage (Konsilar-D 24 VERTEX AO, Russia) and were given recommendations on lifestyle changes and weight loss. A clinical examination was carried out, indicators of daily blood pressure (BP) monitoring and central aortic pressure (CAP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, chronic low-intensity inammation and the severity of insulin resistance before and after treatment were analyzed. Results. After 24-week therapy with a xed combination of ramipril and indapamide at an average dosage of 4,04 ± 1,24 and 1,01 ± 0,31 mg, respectively, 100% of patients with HTN and NAFLD achieved target BP levels. According to 24-hour BP monitoring data, a signicant decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was observed, both in the daytime (Δ12 mm Hg, р = 0,0001; Δ5,5 mm Hg, р = 0,0019, respectively), and at night (Δ13,5 mm Hg, р = 0,0006; Δ5,5 mm Hg, р = 0,0054, respectively). In addition, there was a signicant decrease in CAP in the daytime (SBPao p = 0,0011, DBPao p = 0,0022) and night hours (SBPao p = 0,0015, DBPao p = 0,00124), and a statistically signicant decrease in augmentation index (day p = 0,0460, night p = 0,0182). When evaluating clinical data and bioimpedance measurements, a decrease in waist circumference (p = 0,0000), hip circumference (p = 0,0001), the proportion of subcutaneous (p = 0,0134) and visceral (p = 0,0019) fat was found, which may indicate a decrease in the severity of visceral obesity. Also, during treatment, there is a decrease in the severity of insulin resistance (and the concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0,0001) and CRP (p = 0,0002) in blood plasma. Finally, xed combination of ramipril and indapamide led to a signicant decrease in vascular stiffness (p = 0,0166) and a decrease in the proportion of patients with PWV paradoxical test (p = 0,0320). Correlation analysis showed that increased stiffness of the large arteries in patients with HTN and NAFLD is closely related to insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. At the same time, after 24-week therapy by a xed combination of ramipril and indapamide, a decrease in the vascular stiffness in patients with HTN and NAFLD signicantly correlated with the TNF-α concentration. Conclusions. A 24-week therapy by the xed combination of ramipril and indapamide iin patients with HTN and NAFLD is associated with the persistent decrease in BP and CAP, both during the day and at night. There was a decrease in the vascular rigidity in muscular arteries. The treatment and recommendations for changing the lifestyle are associated with the decrease in the severity of abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, as well as the decrease in the severity of low-intensity systemic inammation in patients with HTN and NAFLD, and a signicant correlation was established between a decrease in TNF-α and an increase in the vascular elasticity of muscle and elastic type arteries.