EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF A COMBINED ALPHA-ADRENOCEPTOR AND BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR BLOCKING-AGENT ON GLUCOSE AND LIPID METABOLISMS IN PATIENTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The effects of a combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent on glucose and lipid metabolism were examined in 27 out-patients with both non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Systoli c blood pressure was significantly reduced (P < 0.02), compared with t he baseline value, after 1, 2, 3 and 12 months of treatment, and diast olic blood pressure was reduced after 6 and 12 months while the reduct ions in blood pressure at the other times were not statistically signi ficant. Total cholesterol, and low-density and high-density lipoprotei n cholesterol, decreased or showed decreasing trends during treatment, while triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change in response to treatment. The glycosylated haemoglobin leve l, an indicator of glucose metabolism, did not change throughout treat ment compared with its baseline value. The results suggest that a comb ined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent is less harmful to li pid metabolism and insulin sensitivity than a beta-adrenoceptor blocke r would be. Such combined agents may be useful for treating hypertensi on accompanying diabetes mellitus.