Comparative effect of candesartan cilexetil and atenolol on glucose metabolism in essential hypertensive patients

To compare the changes on Glucose metabolism in essential hypertensive patients. Randomized, open-labeled, prospective comparative study. The study was carried out in the department of pharmacology and therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, from January 2007 to December 2008. In this study [80] newly diagnosed essential hypertensive patients were enrolled and divided into two groups [DR1] and [DR2] respectively. DRI patients received Candesartan 16 mg once a day and DR2 patients received Atenolol 50mg once a day for 3 months duration. At the end of study period the parameters examined were fasting and random blood glucose levels. The results have been expressed as mean +/- SEM [Standard error of Mean]. The mean fasting blood glucose level was decreased [from 90.22+ 1.34 mg/dl to 89.20 +/- 1.70 mg/dl; for DR1] versus DR2 in which mean fasting blood glucose level was increased [from 91.82 +/- 1.34 mg/dl to 97.91 +/- 1.22 mg/dl; p<0.001]. A reduction of 1.13% in case of DR1 and an increase of 6.63% were observed in case of DR2 group. The mean random blood glucose level was decreased for DRI group [from 151.12 +/- 0.99 mg/dl to 149.36 +/- 0.80 mg/dl] versus DR2 in which mean random blood glucose level was increased from [155.47 to +/- 0.96 mg /dl to 168.83 +/- 0.81 mg/dl; p<0.001]. A reduction of 1.16% was observed in case of DR1 group while and increase of 8.59% was observed in case of DR2 group, respectively. Candesartan cilexetil is a newer and safer alternative for the treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients in comparison to Atenolol treatment