Denervation of the Renal Arteries in Metabolic SyndromeNovelty and Significance

Chronic elevation of sympathetic nervous system is a key factor in metabolic syndrome. Because renal denervation (RDN) is thought to modulate sympathetic activity, we performed the Denervation of the Renal Arteries in Metabolic Syndrome (DREAMS)–study to investigate the effects of RDN on insulin sensitivity and blood pressure (BP) in patients with metabolic syndrome. Twenty-nine patients fulfilling the criteria for metabolic syndrome and who used a maximum of 1 antihypertensive or 1 antidiabetic drug or 1 of both gave informed consent and were treated by RDN. Glucose tolerance tests and 24-hour ambulatory BP measurements were performed at baseline, at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Moreover, we performed self-monitored BP measurements at home every month. To assess sympathetic activity, we performed muscle sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate variability measurements at baseline and follow-up. The majority of the included patients was men (57%), mean body mass index was 31±5 kg/m2. Median insulin sensitivity as assessed by the Simple Index assessing Insulin Sensitivity oral glucose tolerance test did not change at 6- and 12-month follow-up ( P =0.60 and P =0.77, respectively). Mean 24-hour BP decreased by 6±12/5±7 mm Hg 12 months after RDN ( P =0.04/0.01). However, self-monitored BP measurements data showed no reduction over time. Measurements of sympathetic activity showed no reduction in systemic sympathetic activity. In conclusion, RDN did not lead to a significant improvement of insulin sensitivity ≤12 months after treatment. Although a significant reduction in ambulatory BP was observed in this nearly drug-naive population, the self-monitored BP measurements data suggest that this may be explained by regression to the mean. Moreover, no effect in systemic sympathetic activity was observed. # Novelty and Significance {#article-title-39}