Comparison of Verapamil and Felodipine Treatment on Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Obese Female SHHF/Mcc-facp Rats

Abstract Calcium channel blockers, verapamil or felodipine, were given to genetically obese 6 and 11-month-old female SHHF/Mcc-facp (SHHF: Spontaneous Hypertension Heart Failure) rats for 8 weeks to investigate their effects on glucose and lipid metabolism and obesity. Both antihypertensive agents significantly decreased systolic blood pressure. In 11-month-old rats, verapamil treatment significantly decreased body weight after 4 weeks whereas with felodipine it was only significantly reduced after 8 weeks. In 6-month-old rats, verapamil significantly curtailed body weight gain. Subcutaneous fat depots were smaller, and abdominal fat depots were larger in verapamil rats compared to felodipine or control rats. Oral glucose tolerance tests in the 6-month-old verapamil and the 11-month-old felodipine groups showed improved glucose tolerance compared to their respective control groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, fasting plasma glucose levels were lower in 6-month-old verapamil rats compared to felodipine and control rats and were decreased by both verapamil and felodipine treatments as compared to control in 11-month-old rats. During the oral glucose tolerance test in 6-month-old rats, both fasting plasma insulin and the area under the insulin curve were increased in verapamil compared to both control and felodipine groups. When compared to controls, plasma cholesterol was increased by verapamil in both age groups, but was significantly decreased by felodipine after 8 weeks of treatment in the 11-month-old group. Plasma triglycerides increased in all control rats compared to initial levels; however, verapamil and felodipine groups showed lower triglycerides in both age groups. In 6-month-old rats, the percentages of plasma HDL significantly increased in both treatment groups as compared to control. This study shows that verapamil and felodipine depressed body weight gain in the young rats, reduced body weight in the old rats, improved lipid parameters and glucose tolerance, but had the opposite effects on body fat distribution and insulin levels in obese female SHHF rats.