Objective    To observe the effects of telmisartan on cogtive function and the expression of Ghrelin receptors

growth hormone secretagogues receptor(GHSR) in diabetic rats.     Methods    Forty rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group

diabetic model group

and telmisartan treatment group. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model(65 mg/kg

ip) was established.  In the telmisartan treatment group

the rats were treated with telmisartan (13.3 mg·kg

-1

·d

-1

) for 12 weeks. Learning and memory abilities of the rats were tested by the Morris water maze. The  mRNA and protein levels of GHSR in frontal cortex were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry

.     Results    Compared with the diabetic model group

the telmisartan treatment group showed a significant decrease in the mean time of escape latencies(P0.05)and an increased percentage of time spent in the central area and the more times navigating the original platform position(P0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of GHSR were elevated significantly in frontal cortex(P0.05).     Conclusion    The cognitive dysfunctions induced by diabetes may be correlated with the decrease of GHSR and can be alleviated with telmisartan．