Effect of ranolazine on arterial endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

To assess the effect of ranolazine on systemic vascular function in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

We randomized 30 consecutive T2DM patients with no evidence of cardiovascular disease and no insulin therapy to receive one of the following 3 forms of treatment in a blinded fashion: ranolazine, 375 mg bid for 3 weeks (group 1); ranolazine, 375 mg bid for 2 weeks, followed by placebo bid for 1 week (group 2); placebo bid for 3 weeks (group 3). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) of the right brachial artery were assessed at baseline and after 48 h, and 2 and 3 weeks.

FMD and NMD were similar among groups at baseline. Compared to the basal value, FMD significantly improved after 2 weeks in group 1 and in group 2 (p < 0.01 for both), but not in group 3. At 3 weeks, FMD remained improved, compared to baseline, in group 1 (p < 0.05), whereas returned to basal values in group 2 (p = 0.89 vs. baseline). No changes in NMD were observed in any group.

In this controlled study, ranolazine was able to improve endothelial function in T2DM patients.