title: Effects of chronic nifedipine treatment on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: We studied the effects of 6-week treatment with nifedipine (35 mg/kg/day orally, p.o.) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Injection of STZ [45 mg/kg intravenously, (i.v.) single dose] produced a significant increase in blood pressure (BP), bradycardia, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, depression in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), cardiomyopathy, and nephropathy. Treatment of diabetic rats with nifedipine normalized the BP and prevented bradycardia. Insulin levels were decreased after nifedipine treatment in diabetic as well as nondiabetic rats. However, serum glucose levels were also partially decreased in diabetic animals by nifedipine treatment. In control animals as well, glucose levels were in the normal range despite lower insulin levels observed after nifedipine treatment. Nifedipine treatment significantly prevented STZ-induced increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Nifedipine treatment significantly prevented STZ-induced hypothyroidism and also prevented STZ-induced cardiac depression and cardiomyopathy. Our data indicate that nifedipine increases insulin sensitivity and has some beneficial effects on cardiovascular parameters. It may therefore be considered a preferred drug in the treatment of hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Satia
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bangaru
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013311:Streptozocin; D009543:Nifedipine