INSULIN-RECEPTOR NUMBER IN ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION - RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH FOSINOPRIL OR ATENOLOL

Human insulin receptor (hINR) number and its response to medical treat ment was evaluated in 14 male controls and 40 male hypertensive patien ts. Twenty patients treated with fosinopril (10 to 20 mg daily orally) comprised Group A and 20 treated with atenolol (25 to 50 mg daily ora lly) Group B. The hINR number (receptors x 10(3)/red cell) was greater in controls compared to untreated patients (8.22 +/- 2.4 v 5.53 +/- 1 .27, P <.001). After 6 months of treatment the hINR number increased i n Group A (5.73 +/- 1.47 v 7.5 +/- 2.06, P <.001) and remained unchang ed (5.35 +/- 1.09 v 5.5 +/- 1.31, P = NS) in Group B. Thus, hINR numbe r is decreased in hypertension and, in contrast to atenolol, fosinopri l treatment is associated with an increase in hINR number, suggesting a favorable effect on glucose metabolism. (C) 1998 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.