Running Exercise and Angiotensin II Type I Receptor Blocker Telmisartan Are Equally Effective in Preventing Angiotensin II-Mediated Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Lesions.

Introduction:The present study was conducted to directly compare the efficacy of running exercise and telmisartan treatment on angiotensin (Ang) II-mediated atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability.Materials and Methods:Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice with Ang II-mediated atherosclerosis (2-kidney, 1-clip [2K1C] renovascular hypertension model) were randomized into 3 groups: treadmill running exercise (RUN), telmisartan treatment (TEL), and sedentary untreated controls (SED) for 5 weeks. Atherosclerosis was assessed using histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Gene expression was determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results:TEL but not RUN mice significantly decreased (50%) atherosclerotic lesion size compared to SED. RUN and TEL promoted plaque stabilization to a similar degree in ApoE−/− 2K1C mice. However, plaque composition and vascular inflammatory markers were differently affected: RUN decreased plaque macrophage infiltration (35%), whereas TEL re...