Effect of Pentoxifylline on the hypertension in insulin resistance: Role of low‐grade inflammation

Abstract

ObjectivesThe present study investigated the protective effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) from hypertension in IR.MethodsMetS was induced in rats by high fructose (10% in drinking water) high fat diet for 12 weeks to develop hypertension. PTX was daily administered (30 mg.kg‐1) in the last 4 weeks of study before the blood pressure (BP) parameters were fully investigated in anaesthetized rats via a microtip catheter inserted in the aorta via an opening in the carotid artery. In addition, serum levels of glucose, fructosamine, insulin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), adiponectin and lipid profile were determined.ResultsFeeding the rats with high fructose high fat diet led to development of IR as evidenced by the significant hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia while PTX administration did not affected the developed IR. IR animals were characterized by significant increase in the mean BP while PTX administration completely prevented the IR associated elevations in mean BP. PTX prevented the elevations in systolic, diastolic and notch BP in IR animals. However, PTX did not affect the elevations in pulse BP seen in IR animals. Neither IR nor PTX affected the heart rate or ejection or non‐ejection durations. In addition, PTX alleviated the low grade inflammation associated with IR as reflected by the significant decrease in serum TNFα and increase in serum adiponectin levels compared with IR animals.ConclusionsPTX directly alleviates hypertension in IR via amelioration of peripheral resistance and the low grade inflammation