Researchers conducted a 24-week trial to see if a low dose of the drug amiloride could improve blood vessel health in adults with overweight or obesity who also had features of metabolic syndrome, like high blood pressure or insulin resistance. The study involved 137 adults aged 30-70 and compared the drug to a placebo.
The study found that people taking amiloride had reduced arterial stiffness, a measure of how rigid their blood vessels are, and a small reduction in systolic blood pressure (an average drop of about 5.6 mmHg). The drug also lowered fasting blood sugar and increased potassium levels, but did not significantly improve another measure of blood vessel function. Older participants seemed to see greater benefits.
No severe side effects were reported, but the study did not provide details on other adverse events. This was a phase II trial at a single center, which means it's an early step to see if the drug works and is generally safe. The results are promising but not definitive. More research in larger, more diverse groups is needed to confirm these findings and understand the long-term effects before this could be considered for wider use.