Beneficial Effects of L‐ and N‐type Calcium Channel Blocker on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Renal Function in Patients with Hypertension and Type II Diabetes Mellitus

It has been proved that cilnidipine has N‐type calcium channels inhibitory activity as well as L‐type calcium channels and inhibits excessive release of norepinephrine from the sympathetic nerve ending. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of amlodipine (an inhibitor of L‐type calcium channels) and cilnidipine (an inhibitor of both L‐type and N‐type calcium channels) in patients with hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus. Seventy‐seven hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to presence/absence of type II diabetes mellitus. In these two groups of patients, the effects of amlodipine and cilnidipine on glucose and lipid metabolism and renal function were compared. As for glucose and lipid metabolism, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA‐R) level in the non‐diabetic group and triglyceride in the diabetes group were significantly lower with cilnidipine than with amlodipine. As regards renal function in the diabetic group, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly higher and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was significantly lower with cilnidipine than with amlodipine. Cilnidipine which inhibits N‐type calcium channels is more useful for patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus from its effects on glucose and lipid metabolism and renal function.