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The effect on HDL cholesterol of oxprenolol and atenolol
Insights
Beta-blockers like oxprenolol and atenolol can lower HDL cholesterol in men with mild essential hypertension. This reduction may counteract the cardiovascular benefits of blood pressure control.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Studies
Background:
- Mild essential hypertension affects cardiovascular health.
- Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed for hypertension.
- Lipid profile changes can impact atherosclerosis risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of oxprenolol and atenolol on lipid profiles in men with mild essential hypertension.
- To assess the clinical significance of observed lipid changes.
Main Methods:
- 19 healthy men aged 50 with untreated mild essential hypertension were randomized into two groups.
- Treatment involved 18 weeks of either oxprenolol or atenolol.
- Lipid profiles, including HDL cholesterol and cholesterol ratio, were monitored.
Main Results:
- Both oxprenolol and atenolol significantly lowered HDL cholesterol and the cholesterol ratio.
- The reduction in HDL cholesterol correlated positively with initial HDL concentration.
- No significant changes were observed in total triglycerides, total cholesterol, or uric acid.
Conclusions:
- Oxprenolol and atenolol demonstrate a clinically relevant HDL cholesterol-lowering effect.
- This metabolic side effect may potentially offset the cardioprotective benefits of blood pressure reduction.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term cardiovascular implications.
Abstract:
In 19 healthy men aged 50 with untreated mild essential hypertension (WHO group I classification) randomized into two groups, treatment (18 weeks) with oxprenolol (n = 10) lowered HDL cholesterol by 11.4% (P less than 0.02) and cholesterol ratio (HDL cholesterol X 100/LDL + VLDL cholesterol) by 13.7% (P less than 0.05) whereas atenolol (n = 9) lowered HDL cholesterol by 16.5% (P less than 0.02) and cholesterol ratio by 19.2% (P less than 0.01). In the total material (n = 19) the reduction of HDL cholesterol correlated positively with initial concentration of HDL (r = 0.48, P less than 0.05). Increments of total triglycerides by 20.0 and 17.9%, respectively, for the two drugs and small changes in total cholesterol, LDL + VLDL cholesterol and uric acid were not significant. The HDL cholesterol lowering effect of oxprenolol and atenolol observed in the present study may have clinical importance since such metabolic side effects have been postulated to counteract the beneficial effect of blood pressure reduction on development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease in mild essential hypertension.