Long-term effects of antihypertensive treatment and good glycemic control on plasma lipids in diabetic rats

The long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (captopril and enalapril), calcium-entry blockers (diltiazem and nicardipine), and good glycemic control on plasma lipids and lipoproteins were studied in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Diabetic rats had increased plasma cholesterol, tryiglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol than in normal rats. Compared to other antihypertensives, nicardipine seems to have a less beneficial effect on lipids and lipoproteins. However, it is only the good glycemic control that normalized these plasma lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic rats. This suggests that good glycemic control prevents dyslipidemia in diabetic rats. The observed beneficial effects of antihypertensives were unrelated to either food or water intake.