Telmisartan has antioxidative effects in healthy dogs

Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory properties and antioxidative effects of telmisartan in healthy dogs. Methods: 8 healthy young-adult mixed-sex purpose-bred research Beagles were used for this study. Dogs were administered telmisartan at 10 mg once daily for 28 days. A CBC, serum cytokine/chemokine panel, and the following antioxidant assays were performed weekly over the course of the study: total antioxidant capacity, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase. Group mean values after starting telmisartan administration were compared to baseline values by repeated-measures ANOVA, with significance defined as P < .05. Results: While significant changes in arterial blood pressure, CBC, or cytokines/chemokines were not detected, telmisartan significantly upregulated the activity of serum superoxide dismutase, serum total antioxidant capacity, and plasma glutathione peroxidase on some sample dates over the 28-day trial when compared to baseline values. In addition, an average weight loss of 4.9% was detected in 7 of 8 dogs between days 0 and 28. Conclusions: Telmisartan has antioxidative effects in healthy dogs. Clinical Relevance: This research suggests an additional indication to use this drug in the management of a variety of inflammatory conditions that also have arterial hypertension.