Improvement of insulin sensitivity by a long-acting nifedipine preparation (nifedipine-CR) in patients with essential hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Nifedipine has been reported to cause impairment of insulin sensitivity. But recently a controlled-released formulation of nifedipine (nifedipine-GITS) has been reported that it could improve insulin sensitivity.


METHODS
We evaluated insulin sensitivity in two groups of essential hypertensive subjects before and after treatment with either long-acting nifedipine (nifedipine-CR, Adalat CR tablets; Bayer Yakuhin, Osaka, Japan) (n = 10) or metoprolol (n = 9). Insulin sensitivity was evaluated from the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) level measured at the steady-state insulin level (20 to 30 microU/mL) using a modification of the SSPG method previously reported.


RESULTS
The SSPG was initially high, but was significantly reduced by nifedipine-CR treatment (from 133 +/- 14 mg/dL to 95 +/- 8 mg/dL). However, SSPG was not significantly altered by treatment in the metoprolol group (from 103 +/- 15 mg/dL to 119 +/- 12 mg/dL).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the long-acting nifedipine (nifedipine-CR) is associated with improved insulin sensitivity.
Koyama
Yuko
Y
Division of Atherosclerosis, Metabolism, and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Fujishirodai, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan. yuko@hsp.ncvc.go.jp
Kodama
Kenichi
K
Suzuki
Masaaki
M
Harano
Yutaka
Y
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007659:Ketones / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D007659:Ketones; D008790:Metoprolol; D009543:Nifedipine