Effects of beta-blockers on glucose and lipid metabolism.
BACKGROUND
Activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has been linked to hypertension. Beta-blockers, which decrease SNS activation via beta-adrenergic receptor antagonism, are effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in several conditions, including post-myocardial infarction and heart failure. Despite these clinical benefits, many physicians are reluctant to prescribe beta-blockers because of perceived negative metabolic effects, including reduced glycemic control, masking of hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the pathophysiology of hypertension and either insulin resistance or dyslipidemia as well as treatment effects from glucose- and lipid-lowering regimens on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Based on a PubMed literature search from January 1980 to December 2008, the effects of nonvasodilating (atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol) and vasodilating beta-blockers (carvedilol, labetalol, and nebivolol) on parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism in hypertension are presented. Preference for clinical trial inclusion was given to randomized, controlled trials with at least 100 patients. Limitations of a drug class literature review may include trial inclusion bias with associated result skewing and underrepresentation of an individual agent, which may give different results.


RESULTS
Beta-blockers differ in terms of their mechanism of action and their effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Nonvasodilating beta-blockers reduce blood pressure in association with a cardiac output reduction and may increase or have no appreciable effect on peripheral vascular resistance. As a result, nonvasodilating beta-blockers are associated with a worsening of glycemic and lipidic control. In contrast, vasodilating beta-blockers reduce peripheral vascular resistance but have little or no effect on cardiac output. Numerous studies have established that vasodilating beta-blockers are associated with more favorable effects on glucose and lipid profiles than nonvasodilating beta-blockers.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism mediated by vasodilating beta-blockers may help reduce coronary artery disease risk among high-risk patients with hypertension.
Fonseca
Vivian A
VA
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA. vfonseca@tulane.edu
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D005947:Glucose