Research
Hormonal
Catheter-based renal denervation reduces sympathetic nerve activity and improves glucose metabolism in patients with resistant hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.
For patients with resistant hypertension, PCOS, or sleep apnea, renal denervation may improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity by reducing sympathetic nerve activity. This is a procedural option, not a first-line treatment.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
The therapy, which involves selective radiofrequency ablation of efferent and afferent sympathetic nerves in the renal artery lumen, is currently only recommended for use in patients with resistant hypertension to lower uncontrolled blood pressure. However, distinct benefits have been reported in relation to glucose metabolism.
Why this rating
Based on small studies (n=37, n=10, n=13 control) and short-term follow-up (3-6 months).
Source
Relevance of Sympathetic Nervous System Activation in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Alicia A. Thorp et al. · Journal of Diabetes Research · 2015
DOI 10.1155/2015/341583
narrative_reviewCited 418×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Chronic sympathetic nervous system overactivity is a primary driver of metabolic syndrome components, including central obesity and insulin resistance, rather than merely a consequence.Good
- Lifestyle interventions, specifically weight loss and exercise, reduce sympathetic nerve activity and improve metabolic control in patients with Metabolic Syndrome.Good
- Pharmacological inhibition of central sympathetic outflow using imidazoline I1 agonists (e.g., moxonidine) improves metabolic parameters including blood pressure, weight, and insulin sensitivity in MetS patients.Moderate
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