Effect of atenolol on serum beta 2-microglobulin level in hypertensive diabetic patients

The effects of atenolol (50 mg once daily) on serum beta 2-microglobulin levels in 11 hypertensive diabetic patients uncomplicated by renal dysfunction were studied. Atenolol significantly decreased serum beta 2-microglobulin levels (micrograms/mL) at four weeks (1.5 +/- 0.13) and at eight weeks (1.4 +/- 0.09) from pretreatment level (1.8 +/- 0.17) (P less than 0.05, respectively), along with statistically significant antihypertensive effects. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C levels, and body weight remained unchanged. The results suggest that atenolol provides a favorable effect on renal function in hypertensive diabetic patients uncomplicated by renal dysfunction.