Influence of Beta-Blocking Drugs on Glucose Metabolism in Hypertensive, Non-Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Two β‐blocking agents, non‐selective propranolol and β₁‐selective metoprolol, were investigated with respect to their effect on glucose metabolism in 11 hypertensive, non‐diabetic patients. They were randomly treated for two weeks in a double‐blind cross‐over manner with propranolol, metoprolol and placebo. Both drugs caused a small but significant increase in basal blood glucose values as compared with placebo (pppppppppp<0.02, respectively). Pharmacological doses of propranolol and metoprolol increased blood glucose concentrations, decreased plasma glucagon and FFA concentrations, but had no effect on serum insulin levels in hypertensive, non‐diabetic subjects.