Effects of a new calcium channel blocker, MPC-1304, on blood pressure, serum lipoproteins and serum carbohydrate metabolism in patients with essential hypertension.

The effects of MPC-1304, a new calcium channel blocker, on blood pressure, serum lipoproteins, and carbohydrate metabolism were compared with those of atenolol in a group of patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Systolic and diastolic pressures were significantly decreased by both MPC-1304 and atenolol administration. Serum levels of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II were significantly increased after 8-12 weeks of MPC-1304 treatment, but were unchanged during a similar period of atenolol treatment. Neither drug induced any significant change in other lipoprotein parameters, fasting blood sugar, immunoreactive insulin, C-peptide or HbA1c. No serious side-effects or abnormal laboratory values were observed during the course of administration of either drug. These findings indicated that MPC-1304 is as efficacious as an antihypertensive drug and is without adverse effect on lipoprotein or carbohydrate metabolism.