Abstract
AIM: Achievement of target blood pressure (BP) levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS) by the method of stepwise antihypertensive therapy and assessment of metabolic effects of combination of spirapril and nifedipine retard. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients (n=20, 12 women, 8 men, mean age 54+/-3 years) with MS were first given spirapril (6 mg/day). Nifedipine retard (40 mg/day) was added if target BP was not achieved after 4 weeks. Study duration was 12 weeks. The following parameters were measured at baseline and at study end: heart rate, blood pressure, body mass, waist circumference, parameters of lipid spectrum, content of insulin including index HOMA IR, blood glucose (fasting and during oral glucose tolerance test). RESULTS Target BP levels were achieved in 18 patients (90%)--in 11 with moexipril monotherapy, in 9--after addition of nifedipine. Lowering of systolic and diastolic BP from baseline was 11 and 14%, respectively. After 3 months of combination antihypertensive therapy triglyceride levels decreased by 28% while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (CH) increased 6%. Total, low density lipoprotein CH and coefficient of atherogenecity did not change as well as fasting blood glucose after fast and oral glucose tolerance test. Concentration of fasting immunoreactive insulin significantly decreased by 34% entailing 35% decrease of insulin resistance. Therapy was well tolerated, side effects were transitory and did not cause withdrawal of treatment. CONCLUSION In patients with MS and mild hypertension monotherapy with spirapril and combination of spirapril with nifedipine retard caused lowering of BP to target level in 55 and 90%, respectively. Combination of spirapril and nifedipine retard exerts positive metabolic action.
