AN IMIDAZOPYRIDINE ANXIOLYTIC ALTERS GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE IN PATIENTS - A PILOT INVESTIGATION

We have recently shown that compounds with high affinity for periphera l-type benzodiazepine receptors inhibited glucose-induced insulin secr etion in vitro. We therefore performed an oral glucose tolerance test in anxious inpatients treated with the imidazopyridine derivative alpi dem, which has been shown to display high affinity for these binding s ites. The test was performed before and after 1 week of daily administ ration of the drug, As compared with pretreatment values, a significan t alteration of the insulin response to glucose was observed. It is su ggested that daily administration of alpidem, at therapeutically effec tive doses for the treatment of anxiety, may alter glucose tolerance.