ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AND METABOLIC EFFECTS OF AMLODIPINE IN PATIENTS WITHNON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy an d possible effects on metabolic control of amlodipine in hypertensive diabetic patients. After a washout period of 4 weeks, 28 ambulatory pa tients with mild essential hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diab etes mellitus received amlodipine 10mg once daily for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was significantly decreased after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of tre atment when compared with basal values. No significant changes in hear t rate occurred. A significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose was evident after 12 weeks. A slight but not significant decrease in pre- and postprandial plasma glucose, glycosuria and fructosamine concentra tions occurred after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. Microalbuminuria dec reased significantly at the end of the study. No correlation was found between the reduction in microalbuminuria and the reduction in systol ic or diastolic blood pressure. Cholesterol concentrations and triglyc erides decreased, although only the latter was significant. The result s of this study confirm the antihypertensive efficacy of amlodipine in hypertensive diabetic patients, and suggest a favourable influence of this drug on glycaemic and lipid control. The favourable changes in m icroalbuminuria observed after treatment need further studies to eluci date both the exact mechanisms behind increased microalbuminuria in th e hypertensive diabetic state and the factors involved in the reductio n.