Twenty-four hour mean ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) will be performed at baseline and at end of study (week 8). The first 24-hour ABPM will be performed beginning at 24 hours prior to baseline visit and the second will be performed 24 hours prior to week 8 visit.

Central aortic blood pressure was derived from peripheral pressure waveforms recorded noninvasively from the brachial artery using a cuff-based device. This technique uses the brachial pressure and a signal processing algorithm to transform brachial signals into central blood pressure (BP) waveforms. When the aortic pressure waveform was derived, key pulse wave analysis (PWA) parameters, such as CASP was calculated by the system software. At the first study visit, the arm with the highest systolic blood pressure (SBP) was used for all subsequent PWA. Brachial PWA measurements were performed on the same arm that the office blood pressures were taken. Two pulse waveform measurements, meeting all quality control criteria were captured at baseline and at week 12 visits.

The insulin sensitivity index was assessed by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEGC). A positive change from baseline indicates improvement.

Urine was collected in 12-hour intervals, and of each pooled 24-hour (daily) sample, sodium concentration was measured. The measure type used for this outcome measure (OM) was Geometric Least square Means (LSM).

Urine was collected in 12-hour intervals, and of each pooled 24-hour (daily) sample, sodium concentration was measured. The measure type used for this outcome measure (OM) was Geometric Least square Means (LSM).

Sitting BP measurements were performed at screening through the end of the study at every study visit. A negative change from baseline indicates improvement.