Effect of nicardipine on insulin secretion, glucose and lipid metabolism in hypertensive, non-insulin dependent diabetics.

Certain acute and chronic metabolic effects of nicardipine have been studied in 20 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDD). An intravenous glucose tolerance test (i.v. GTT, glucose 0.33 g/kg as a bolus) and the corresponding insulin response were assessed at the end of a 4 week placebo period, after the first dose and on administration for 12 weeks of nicardipine 20 mg t.i.d. The glucose and insulin responses to the i.v.GTT, evaluated as incremental AUCs, did not change significantly (glucose 30.5 mg/dl.90 min on placebo, 33.1 mg/dl.90 min acutely and 31.4 mg/dl.90 min on chronic administration of nicardipine; insulin 2.08 microU/ml.90 min on placebo, 1.87 microU/ml.90 min acutely and 1.93 microU/ml.90 min after chronic nicardipine). Glucose removal rate (KG) following the i.v.GTT was 0.73%/min on placebo 0.75%/min on acute administration and 0.8%.min-1 with chronic nicardipine. Active treatment produced a significant reduction of blood pressure (from 187/96 mm Hg on placebo to 166/89 mm Hg acutely and 152/83 mm Hg after 12 weeks of nicardipine treatment). It is concluded that the calcium antagonist nicardipine was an effective antihypertensive drug, and that it did not cause deterioration of metabolic control in hypertensive patients with NIDD.