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Glucose metabolism and calcium antagonists
1Medizinische Poliklinik, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Hormone and Metabolic Research. Supplement Series
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Calcium channel blockers do not significantly impact glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients, whether diabetic or not. Long-term studies show no adverse effects on blood sugar control, making them a safe treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and glucose intolerance are key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- Antihypertensive medications should not negatively affect glucose homeostasis in any patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of calcium antagonists on glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients.
- To determine if calcium antagonists pose a risk to carbohydrate homeostasis in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of over 100 short-term and long-term clinical trials involving calcium antagonists.
- Analysis of studies measuring glucose metabolism and glycated hemoglobin levels.
- In vitro pancreas perfusion experiments to assess insulin output.
Main Results:
- Most trials indicate calcium antagonists do not impair glucose metabolism at standard antihypertensive doses.
- Acute studies with high doses or glucose challenges yielded controversial results.
- 13 long-term trials (up to 5 years) showed no change in glycated hemoglobin.
Conclusions:
- Available data suggest calcium antagonists do not clinically relevantly alter glucose handling in non-diabetic or diabetic patients.
- Concerns regarding adverse effects on carbohydrate homeostasis are not justified.
- Benefits of calcium antagonists for hypertension can be utilized without fear of worsening glucose control.