Impact of short-term treatment with benzodiazepines and imidazopyridines on glucose metabolism in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
In the last years there has been a progressive reduction of the average duration of sleep and an increase in the incidence of sleep disturbances. At the same time, an increase of the incidence of the metabolic syndrome has been described, partly attributable to the progressive worsening of dietary habits and the increase in sedentary lifestyle. Recent studies suggest that adequate sleep is essential to maintain good glucose metabolism and sleep disturbances may contribute to the manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Benzodiazepines (BZ), such as brotizolam, and imidazopyridines, such as zolpidem, are frequently used as hypnotics but their potential impact on glucose metabolism has never been evaluated so far.


METHODS
In 12 healthy volunteers [age (mean ± SEM) 38.3 ± 8.1 years; body mass index (BMI) 21.9 ± 0.8 kg/m²] we studied glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 75 g) before and after 15 days treatment with brotizolam 0.25 mg/day or zolpidem 10 mg/day.


RESULTS
Brotizolam increased glucose delta area under curve response to the OGTT by 122 % (p < 0.01) and zolpidem by 86 % (p < 0.01) without significant variations of insulin levels, suggesting an impact on insulin sensitivity and/or insulin secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that BZ and imidazopyridines have a rapid glucometabolic effect that is detectable as early as after 15 days treatment.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, A.O. Città Della Salute e Della Scienza, San Giovanni Battista, Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti, 14, 10126, Turin, Italy.
E
E
Gramaglia
V
V
Ramella Gigliardi
I
I
Olivetti
M
M
Tomelini
S
S
Belcastro
E
E
Calvi
A
A
Dotta
E
E
Ghigo
A
A
Benso
F
F
Broglio
D000328:Adult; D001381:Azepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D000077334:Zolpidem
D001381:Azepines; D001786:Blood Glucose; D011725:Pyridines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C020960:brotizolam; D000077334:Zolpidem