I. Zofkova et al., GLYCOREGULATION IS NOT ALTERED BY SHORT-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF DILTIAZEM IN NONDIABETIC HUMANS, Experimental and clinical endocrinology, 100(3), 1992, pp. 120-123
In this study changes in glucose assimilation during an intravenous gl
ucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was investigated in 12 clinically healthy
normotensive women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 (range 22
-31). This was assessed by coefficient Kg, the level of glycosylated p
roteins and insulin, C-peptide and contraregulating hormone secretion
after seven days of oral administration of diltiazem, a calcium curren
t blocker (180 mg per day). In spite of the fact that diltiazem protra
cted electrocardiographic QT interval from 0.16 +/- 0.008 to 0.18 +/-
0.009 s. (p < 0.01), QaT from 0.29 +/- 0.007 to 0.31 +/- 0.008 s. (p <
0.05), QeT from 0.35 +/- 0.009 to 0.37 +/- 0.009 s. (p < 0.01), it di
d not affect Kg in any significant way, nor did it affect the glycosyl
ated protein levels, insulin and C-peptide secretion, nor the secretio
n of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, cortisol and growth hormone.
Thus although diltiazem is a highly effective drug as far as the card
iovascular system is concerned, short-term administration of therapeut
ic doses of 180 mg/day is not associated with glycoregulatory risks.