Comparative evaluation of spironolactone, atenolol, metoprolol, ramipril and perindopril on diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications in type 1 diabetes in rats

The present study was carried out to study the effect of spironolactone, atenolol, metoprolol, ramipril and perindopril on cardiovascular complications associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats. Single tail vein injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) produced type 1 diabetes in Wistar rats of either sex. Spironolactone (SL; 20mg/kg/day), atenolol (10mg/kg/day), metoprolol (10mg/kg/day), ramipril (1mg/kg/day) and perindopril (1mg/kg/day) were administered for 6 weeks after which various biochemical and cardiac parameters were measured. STZ produced hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, bradycardia and cardiac hypertrophy. Chronic treatment with only metoprolol produced a reduction in glucose and spironolactone and metoprolol significantly decreased insulin levels. Spironolactone, ramipril and perindopril significantly reduced cholesterol levels. Spironolactone, metoprolol and perindopril significantly reduced triglyceride levels. Spironolactone and perindopril also increased the serum HDL levels. Spironolactone and metoprolol significantly reduced the serum creatinine levels. Blood pressure was controlled by all the drug treatment. However, heart rate and cardiac hypertrophy were controlled only by spironolactone, metoprolol and perindopril treatment. In conclusion, spironolactone, metoprolol and perindopril prevent not only the STZ-induced metabolic abnormalities but also cardiovascular complications and they appear to be beneficial agents as compared to atenolol and ramipril.