Effect of the Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist Irbesartan on Biochemical and Functional Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Hypertension

Inclusion Criteria: * Hypertension grade 1 or 2 * With at least two of the following criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome: * Body mass index \> or = 25 kg/m2 AND waist circumference \> or = 100 cm. * Dyslipidemia (triglycerides fasting serum levels \> or = 200 mg/dL OR HDL serum levels \< or = 40 mg/dL) * Fasting serum glucose \> or = 110 mg/dL but \< 126 mg/dL Exclusion Criteria: * Known hypersensitivity to Irbesartan * Hypertension grade 3 * History of clinical vascular events such as TIAs, stroke, peripheral arterial disease * Coronary artery disease * Renal insufficiency (creatinine serum levels \> or = 1.2 mg/dL) * Presence of clinical heart failure * Asthma and COPD * Valvular cardiopathy clinically relevant * Current therapy with antioxidant drugs, statins * Therapy with AIIRA for at least 3 months during the last semester * Presence of any acute illness or major trauma in the last 8 weeks * History of a chronic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, immune disorders or connective tissue disease. The above information is not intended to contain all considerations relevant to a patient's potential participation in a clinical trial.