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BACKGROUND The angiotensin receptor blocker telmisartan has unique chemical properties that enable it to partially activate the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG) as well as block angiotensin II type 1 receptors. METHODS To directly test whether some of the metabolic effects of telmisartan require the presence of PPARG, we studied mice in which the gene (Pparg) for PPARG had been deleted in fat or in muscle. RESULTS We found that knockout of Pparg in fat tissue greatly impaired the ability of telmisartan to increase adiponectin levels and to enhance sensitivity to insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into adipose tissue lipids. In contrast, muscle-specific Pparg knockout had relatively little or no impact on the ability of telmisartan to increase adiponectin levels or affect glucose metabolism either in fat or muscle. These findings provide compelling evidence that the ability of telmisartan to increase adiponectin levels and stimulate glucose use in adipose tissue may depend on the presence of PPARG in fat. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that PPARG in adipose tissue is required for at least several of the metabolic actions of telmisartan. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]