Benefit of azilsartan on blood pressure elevation around rest-to-active phase in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Abnormal elevation of blood pressure in early morning (rest-to-active phase) is suggested to cause cardiovascular events. We investigated whether azilsartan (AZL), a novel potent angiotensin receptor blocker, suppresses blood pressure elevation from the light-rest to dark-active phase in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). AZL has a sustained depressor effect around the rest-to-active phase in SHRs to a greater extent than candesartan (CAN), despite their similar depressor effects for over 24 h. AZL did not cause sympathoexcitation. These results suggest that AZL has a more sustained depressor effect than CAN around the rest-to-active phase in SHRs, and might have advantages for early morning hypertension.

• Angiotensin receptor blocker
• blood pressure
• hypertension
• morning surge
• sympathetic nervous system

Acknowledgements

We thank Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd for providing azilsartan and candesartan for this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (B24390198).