Thirty-one hypertensive outpatients randomly and orally administered losartan (50mg, n=15) or candesaratan (8mg, n=16). Blood and urine samples were collected before and up to 3 months administration. Blood pressure was lowered relatively and significantly using either losartan or candesartan.
Losartan decreased serum uric acid concentration significantly (from6.6±1.4mg/dl to 6.0±1.2mg/dl, P<0.05), while candesartan did not (from 6.1±1.0to 6.2±15mg/dl). In 6 of 17 subjects,1.0mg/dl of uric acid reduction was achieved. Losartan also induced an increase in fractional excretion of uric acid significantly, while canderartan did not.
According to these findings, losa rtan, which has a high affinity for the urate/anion exchanger, induces a significant decrease in uric acid in hypertensive patients. The pleiotrophic effects of losartan on uric acid metabolism might contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction, according to recent world-wide clinical investigations.
