ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder with an ever-increasing prevalence. Cardiovascular complications are the major cause of death in diabetic patients. Type II diabetes mellitus is usually treated by sulfonylureas. There are controversial reports regarding cardiovascular side effects of these drugs. Conflicting evidences exist about side effects of the first and second-generation sulfonylureas. In this study, the vascular effects of chlorpropamide and glibenclamide [first and second generations of sulfonylureas respectively] were investigated in healthy male rats. Male rats were treated by the above-mentioned drugs for six months and the response of aortic rings to acetylcholine, isosorbide dinitrate and phenylephrine were studied and compared to normal control group. Data were analyzed by means of ANOVA test. There was no significant difference between the response of aortic rings of treated and control group to acetylcholine, isosorbide dinitrate and phenylepherine. Sulfonylureas through closing ATP dependent potassium channels, which exist in beta-cells of pancreas and other organs such as heart and vascular smooth muscles may affect the vascular tone. Based on the results of this study long term oral consumption of chlorpropamide and glibenclamide in normal rats did not affect aortic contractile property. Further studies are needed to clarify the vascular effects of sulfonylureas