Abstract
Although β-adrenoceptor antagonists (β-blockers) have effects on metabolism via their mechanism as blockers of adrenergic stimulation, most interest in the metabolic effects of β-blockers is caused by their effect on glucose metabolism. Strict metabolic control and management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes mellitus has proven to be of great importance in the improvement of prognosis. β-Blockers are necessary tools for the treatment of heart failure and hypertension. The use of β-blockers in patients with diabetes mellitus has been controversial because of fear of deterioration of metabolic control of glucose and lipids and blunting of the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Currently, it appears that there is a beneficial metabolic effect with the third-generation β-blocker carvedilol. Comparisons have been made between the second-generation β-blocker metoprolol and carvedilol, with a clear advantage for carvedilol in terms of metabolic control. In the GEMINI (Glycemic Effects in Diabetes Mellitus: Carvedilol-Metoprolol Comparison in Hypertensives) trial, a decrease of 9.1% (p = 0.004) in insulin resistance, compared with baseline values, was seen in patients treated with carvedilol, whereas no significant difference was seen in the group of patients treated with metoprolol. Additionally, an increase in glycosylated hemoglobin of 0.15% from baseline was seen in the metoprolol group (p < 0.001) compared with no significant change in the carvedilol group. These findings indicate that, as carvedilol exerts favorable effects on glucose metabolism compared with metoprolol, patients with diabetes mellitus could benefit from treatment with carvedilol rather than metoprolol. The mechanisms behind these findings are not yet fully understood. Several mechanisms have been suggested, and special interest has been paid to the investigation of the potential beneficial role of the β2- and α1-adrenoceptor-blocking effects of carvedilol, along with its known antioxidant properties.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Reid IR, Lucas J, Wattie D, et al. Effects of a beta-blocker on bone turnover in normal postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90(9): 5212–6.
Biondi B, Palmieri EA, Klain M, et al. Subclinical hyperthyroidism: clinical features and treatment options. Eur J Endocrinol 2005; 152(1): 1–9.
Al-Hesayen A, Azevedo ER, Floras JS, et al. Selective versus nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in chronic heart failure: differential effects on myocardial energy substrate utilization. Eur J Heart Fail 2005; 7(4): 618–23.
Haffner SM, Lehto S, Ronnemaa T, et al. Mortality from coronary heart disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes and in nondiabetic subjects with and without prior myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med 1998; 339(4): 229–34.
Kannel WB, McGee DL. Diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors: the Framingham study. Circulation 1979 Jan; 59(1): 8–13.
Fuller JH, Shipley MJ, Rose G, et al. Mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke in relation to degree of glycaemia: the Whitehall study. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1983 Sep 24; 287(6396): 867–70.
Gustafsson I, Hildebrandt P, Seibaek M, et al. Long-term prognosis of diabetic patients with myocardial infarction: relation to antidiabetic treatment regimen. The TRACE Study Group. Eur Heart J 2000; 21(23): 1937–43.
Gustafsson F, Torp-Pedersen C, Seibaek M, et al. Effect of age on short and long-term mortality in patients admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure. Eur Heart J 2004; 25(19): 1711–7.
Gaede P, Vedel P, Larsen N, et al. Multifactorial intervention and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2003; 348(5): 383–93.
Malmberg K, Norhammar A, Wedel H, et al. Glycometabolic state at admission: important risk marker of mortality in conventionally treated patients with diabetes mellitus and acute myocardial infarction: long-term results from the Diabetes and Insulin-Glucose Infusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction (DIGAMI) study. Circulation 1999; 99(20): 2626–32.
Dahlof B, Lindholm LH, Hansson L, et al. Morbidity and mortality in the Swedish Trial in Old Patients with Hypertension (STOP-Hypertension). Lancet 1991; 338(8778): 1281–5.
Medical Research Council trial of treatment of hypertension in older adults: principal results. MRC Working Party. BMJ 1992; 304(6824): 405–12.
ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group. Major outcomes in high-risk hypertensive patients randomized to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or calcium channel blocker vs diuretic: the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT). JAMA 2002 Dec 18; 288(23): 2981–97.
UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group. Efficacy of atenolol and captopril in reducing risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes: UKPDS 39. BMJ 1998 Sep 12; 317(7160): 713–20.
Turnbull F. Effects of different blood-pressure-lowering regimens on major cardiovascular events: results of prospectively-designed overviews of randomised trials. Lancet 2003 Nov 8; 362(9395): 1527–35.
Hansen O, Johansson BW, Nilsson-Ehle P, et al. Effects of carvedilol on the metabolic, hemodynamic, and electrocardiographic responses to increased plasma epinephrine in normal subjects. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1994; 24(6): 853–9.
Jacob S, Rett K, Wicklmayr M, et al. Differential effect of chronic treatment with two beta-blocking agents on insulin sensitivity: the carvedilol-metoprolol study. J Hypertens 1996; 14(4): 489–94.
Pollare T, Lithell H, Selinus I, et al. Application of prazosin is associated with an increase of insulin sensitivity in obese patients with hypertension. Diabetologia 1988; 31(7): 415–20.
Dornhorst A, Powell SH, Pensky J. Aggravation by propranolol of hyperglycaemic effect of hydrochlorothiazide in type II diabetics without alteration of insulin secretion. Lancet 1985; I(8421): 123–6.
Holzgreve H, Nakov R, Beck K, et al. Antihypertensive therapy with verapamil SR plus trandolapril versus atenolol plus chlorthalidone on glycemic control. Am J Hypertens 2003; 16(5 Pt 1): 381–6.
Pollare T, Lithell H, Selinus I, et al. Sensitivity to insulin during treatment with atenolol and metoprolol: a randomised, double blind study of effects on carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism in hypertensive patients. BMJ 1989; 298(6681): 1152–7.
Malminiemi K, Lahtela J, Malminiemi O, et al. Insulin sensitivity in a long-term crossover trial with celiprolol and other antihypertensive agents. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1998; 31(1): 140–5.
Poirier L, Cleroux J, Nadeau A, et al. Effects of nebivolol and atenolol on insulin sensitivity and haemodynamics in hypertensive patients. J Hypertens 2001; 19(8): 1429–35.
Celik T, Iyisoy A, Kursaklioglu H, et al. Comparative effects of nebivolol and metoprolol on oxidative stress, insulin resistance, plasma adiponectin and soluble P-selectin levels in hypertensive patients. J Hypertens 2006; 24(3): 591–6.
Reiter MJ. Cardiovascular drug class specificity: beta-blockers. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2004; 47(1): 11–33.
Pischon T, Sharma AM. Use of beta-blockers in obesity hypertension: potential role of weight gain. Obes Rev 2001; 2(4): 275–80.
Feskens EJ, Tuomilehto J, Stengard JH, et al. Hypertension and overweight associated with hyperinsulinaemia and glucose tolerance: a longitudinal study of the Finnish and Dutch cohorts of the Seven Countries Study. Diabetologia 1995; 38(7): 839–47.
Jacob S, Balletshofer B, Henriksen EJ, et al. Beta-blocking agents in patients with insulin resistance: effects of vasodilating beta-blockers. Blood Press 1999; 8(5–6): 261–8.
Grassi G, Cattaneo BM, Seravalle G, et al. Obesity and the sympathetic nervous system. Blood Press Suppl 1996; 1: 43–6.
Rocchini AP. Cardiovascular regulation in obesity-induced hypertension. Hypertension 1992; 19(1 Suppl.): 156–60.
Arumanayagam M, Chan S, Tong S, et al. Antioxidant properties of carvedilol and metoprolol in heart failure: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2001; 37(1): 48–54.
Yasunari K, Maeda K, Nakamura M, et al. Effects of carvedilol on oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells in patients with essential hypertension. Am J Med 2004; 116(7): 460–5.
Mehta JL, Lopez LM, Chen L, et al. Alterations in nitric oxide synthase activity, superoxide anion generation, and platelet aggregation in systemic hypertension, and effects of celiprolol. Am J Cardiol 1994; 74(9): 901–5.
Giugliano D, Acampora R, Marfella R, et al. Metabolic and cardiovascular effects of carvedilol and atenolol in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypertension: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1997; 126(12): 955–9.
Pollare T, Lithell H, Morlin C, et al. Metabolic effects of diltiazem and atenolol: results from a randomized, double-blind study with parallel groups. J Hypertens 1989; 7(7): 551–9.
Lithell H, Pollare T, Vessby B. Metabolic effects of pindolol and propranolol in a double-blind cross-over study in hypertensive patients. Blood Press 1992; 1(2): 92–101.
DeFronzo RA, Ferrannini E. Insulin resistance: a multifaceted syndrome responsible for NIDDM, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Diabetes Care 1991; 14(3): 173–94.
Lind L, Berne C, Pollare T, et al. Metabolic effects of isradipine as monotherapy or in combination with pindolol during long-term antihypertensive treatment. J Intern Med 1994; 236(1): 37–42.
Lind L, Berne C, Pollare T, et al. Metabolic effects of anti-hypertensive treatment with nifedipine or furosemide: a double-blind, cross-over study. J Hum Hypertens 1995; 9(2): 137–41.
Haenni A, Lithell H. Treatment with a beta-blocker with beta 2-agonism improves glucose and lipid metabolism in essential hypertension. Metabolism 1994; 43(4): 455–61.
Dahlof B, Devereux RB, Kjeldsen SE, et al. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension study (LIFE): a randomised trial against atenolol. Lancet 2002; 359(9311): 995–1003.
Poole-Wilson PA, Swedberg K, Cleland JG, et al. Comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET): randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2003; 362(9377): 7–13.
Weinberger MH. Antihypertensive therapy and lipids: evidence, mechanisms, and implications. Arch Intern Med 1985; 145(6): 1102–5.
Jacob S, Rett K, Henriksen EJ. Antihypertensive therapy and insulin sensitivity: do we have to redefine the role of beta-blocking agents? Am J Hypertens 1998; 11(10): 1258–65.
Kjekshus J, Gilpin E, Cali G, et al. Diabetic patients and beta-blockers after acute myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J 1990; 11(1): 43–50.
Hjalmarson A, Elmfeldt D, Herlitz J, et al. Effect on mortality of metoprolol in acute myocardial infarction: a double-blind randomised trial. Lancet 1981; II(8251): 823–7.
Metoprolol in Acute Myocardial Infarction (MIAMI). A randomised placebo-controlled international trial. The MIAMI Trial Research Group. Eur Heart J 1985; 6(3): 199–226.
First International Study of Infarct Survival Collaborative Group. Randomised trial of intravenous atenolol among 16 027 cases of suspected acute myocardial infarction: ISIS-1. Lancet 1986; II(8498): 57–66.
Malmberg K, Herlitz J, Hjalmarson A, et al. Effects of metoprolol on mortality and late infarction in diabetics with suspected acute myocardial infarction: retrospective data from two large studies. Eur Heart J 1989; 10(5): 423–8.
Gundersen T, Kjekshus J. Timolol treatment after myocardial infarction in diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 1983; 6(3): 285–90.
Haas SJ, Vos T, Gilbert RE, et al. Are beta-blockers as efficacious in patients with diabetes mellitus as in patients without diabetes mellitus who have chronic heart failure? A meta-analysis of large-scale clinical trials. Am Heart J 2003; 146(5): 848–53.
Jonas M, Reicher-Reiss H, Boyko V, et al. Usefulness of beta-blocker therapy in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP) Study Group. Am J Cardiol 1996; 77(15): 1273–7.
Bell DS. Advantages of a third-generation beta-blocker in patients with diabetes mellitus. Am J Cardiol 2004; 93(9A): 49–52B.
Deacon SP, Karunanayake A, Barnett D. Acebutolol, atenolol, and propranolol and metabolic responses to acute hypoglycaemia in diabetics. BMJ 1977; 2(6097): 1255–7.
Lager I, Blohme G, Smith U. Effect of cardioselective and non-selective beta-blockade on the hypoglycaemic response in insulin-dependent diabetics. Lancet 1979; I(8114): 458–62.
Shorr RI, Ray WA, Daugherty JR, et al. Antihypertensives and the risk of serious hypoglycemia in older persons using insulin or sulfonylureas. JAMA 1997; 278(1): 40–3.
Bakris GL, Fonseca V, Katholi RE, et al. Metabolic effects of carvedilol vs metoprolol in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004; 292(18): 2227–36.
Torp-Pedersen C, Cleland JG, Di Lenarda A, et al. Carvedilol reduces the risk for new onset of diabetes related adverse events in heart failure compared to metoprolol: results of the COMET study [abstract]. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005; 45 Suppl. 1: 187A.
Lowel H, Koenig W, Engel S, et al. The impact of diabetes mellitus on survival after myocardial infarction: can it be modified by drug treatment? Results of a population-based myocardial infarction register follow-up study. Diabetologia 2000; 43(2): 218–26.
Karlson BW, Herlitz J, Wiklund O, et al. Characteristics and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction in relation to whether they were treated in the coronary care unit or in another ward. Cardiology 1992; 81(2–3): 134–44.
Gurwitz JH, Goldberg RJ, Chen Z, et al. Beta-blocker therapy in acute myocardial infarction: evidence for underutilization in the elderly. Am J Med 1992; 93(6): 605–10.
UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group. Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). Lancet 1998; 352(9131): 837–53.
Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, et al. Seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension 2003; 42(6): 1206–52.
Colagiuri S, Cull CA, Holman RR. Are lower fasting plasma glucose levels at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes associated with improved outcomes? UK prospective diabetes study 61. Diabetes Care 2002; 25(8): 1410–7.
Khaw KT, Wareham N, Luben R, et al. Glycated haemoglobin, diabetes, and mortality in men in Norfolk cohort of European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Norfolk). BMJ 2001; 322(7277): 15–8.
Yue TL, Cheng HY, Lysko PG, et al. Carvedilol, a new vasodilator and beta adrenoceptor antagonist, is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992; 263(1): 92–8.
Ohlstein EH, Arleth AJ, Storer B, et al. Carvedilol inhibits endothelin-1 biosynthesis in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells. J Mol Cell Cardiol 1998; 30(1): 167–73.
Lysko PG, Webb CL, Gu JL, et al. A comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol antioxidant activities in vitro. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2000; 36(2): 277–81.
Deedwania PC, Giles TD, Kilbaner M, et al. Efficacy, safety and tolerability of metoprolol CR/XL in patients with diabetes and chronic heart failure: experiences from MERIT-HF. Am Heart J 2005; 149(1): 159–67.
Galletti F, Strazzullo P, Capaldo B, et al. Controlled study of the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition versus calcium-entry blockade on insulin sensitivity in overweight hypertensive patients: Trandolapril Italian Study (TRIS). J Hypertens 1999; 17(3): 439–45.
Niklason A, Hedner T, Niskanen L, et al. Development of diabetes is retarded by ACE inhibition in hypertensive patients: a subanalysis of the Captopril Prevention Project (CAPPP). J Hypertens 2004; 22(3): 645–52.
Olsen MH, Fossum E, Hoieggen A, et al. Long-term treatment with losartan versus atenolol improves insulin sensitivity in hypertension: ICARUS, a LIFE substudy. J Hypertens 2005; 23(4): 891–8.
Giugliano D, Ceriello A, Paolisso G. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease: which role for oxidative stress? Metabolism 1995; 44(3): 363–8.
Smith RS, Warren DJ. Effect of acute oral beta adrenergic blockade on muscle blood flow in man. Cardiovasc Res 1982; 16(4): 205–8.
Lind L, Lithell H. Decreased peripheral blood flow in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome comprising hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Am Heart J 1993; 125(5 Pt 2): 1494–7.
Dunder K, Lind L, Zethelius B, et al. Increase in blood glucose concentration during antihypertensive treatment as a predictor of myocardial infarction: population based cohort study. BMJ 2003; 326(7391): 681.
Samuelsson O, Pennert K, Andersson O, et al. Diabetes mellitus and raised serum triglyceride concentration in treated hypertension: are they of prognostic importance? Observational study. BMJ 1996; 313(7058): 660–3.
Joshua I, Barzilay SP. Risk and impact of incident glucose disorders in hypertensive older adults treated with an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic, or a calcium channel blocker: a report from The ALLHAT Trial. Am J Hypertens 2004; 17 (5 Suppl. 1):51.
Verdecchia P, Reboldi G, Angeli F, et al. Adverse prognostic significance of new diabetes in treated hypertensive subjects. Hypertension 2004; 43(5): 963–9.
Acknowledgments
A grant was awarded from the Danish Heart Foundation for the preparation of this review.
The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kveiborg, B., Christiansen, B., Major-Petersen, A. et al. Metabolic Effects of β-Adrenoceptor Antagonists with Special Emphasis on Carvedilol. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 6, 209–217 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00129784-200606040-00001
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00129784-200606040-00001