Measurements and main results-Reduction of
blood pressure *as similar and satisfactory during
treatment with both drugs. Glucose uptake mediated
by insulin was measured during a euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic
clamp to evaluate patients' sensitivity
to insulin. Glucose uptake decreased from 5-6 to 4-5
mglkg/min when patients were taking metoprolol and
from 56 to 4-9 mg/kg/min when they were taking
atenolol. Both. drugs caused a small increase in
fasting plasma ipsulin and blood glucose concentrations
and glycated haemoglobin concentration.
Despite decreased sensitivity to insulin the
increase in insuli concentration in response to
an intravenous glucose tolerance test was small,
suggesting inhibition of release of insulin. Very
low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein
triglyceride concentrations were increased with
both drugs and high density lipoprotein cholesterol
concentration was decreased. Low density lipoprotein
cholesterol concentration was not affected.