Trial to Compare the Effects of Either Telmisartan (40-80 mg PO Once Daily) or Ramipril (5-10 mg PO Once Daily) on Renal Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

• Change in RPF from baseline (Visit 4) to the end of treatment (Visit 7) in response to L-NMMA infusion
  

• Change from baseline in Renal function parameters before and in response to L-NMMA and L-arginine hydrochloride infusion; angiotensin II, aldosterone, ADMA, L-arginine urinary excretion parameters blood pressure, augmentation index
  

This study was designed as a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and normo- or microalbuminuria over a treatment period of 9 weeks.

After a 4 week Run-in period, patients will be randomised to one of the treatment groups and receive either Telmisartan 40 - 80 mg or Ramipril 5 - 10 mg. The treatment regimen is a forced titration with the lower dose given for 3 weeks and the higher dose given for the rest of the treatment period summing up to 9 weeks of treatment. During the treatment period, 3 visits to the investigator will be scheduled in order to control blood pressure, renal function parameters and safety. In addition, parameters of endothelial function in the renal vasculature, based on a nephrological clearance investigation and a provocation with L-NMMA will be measured at baseline and after 9 weeks of treatment.

Study Hypothesis:

Due to the exploratory nature of the trial, the primary objective to evaluate the effect on RPF in response to L-NMMA infusion at baseline and after 9 weeks of therapy with either telmisartan 80 mg or ramipril 10 mg was not planned to be addressed by a test of prespecified hypotheses.

Comparison(s):

The change in RPF from baseline (Visit 4) to the end of treatment (Visit 7) in response to L-NMMA infusion was to be calculated as the change from the pre L-NMMA infusion (S1) to the end of the L-NMMA infusion (S2). A comparison of treatment groups was to be made using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with pooled centre and treatment included as main effects and RPF (in response to L NMMA infusion) at baseline as a covariate. The treatment group difference, adjusted for the other factors in the model, was to be presented with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) and a test of statistical significance. The model was also to be used to provide analysis results for the within treatment group changes.