The calcium channel blocker LAS 30538, unlike nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem or flunarizine, potently inhibits insulin secretion in-vivo in rats and dogs.

The effects of a novel calcium channel blocker, LAS 30538 (1-2-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)ethyl]-alpha,alpha-bis-(p-fluorophenyl)-4- piperidine methanol), were studied on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in rats and dogs in-vitro and in-vivo. Some comparisons were made with nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, flunarizine, diazoxide, cromakalim and minoxidil. LAS 30538, like a number of calcium channel blockers, was found to inhibit insulin secretion in-vitro, but was 1000-fold more potent than verapamil or diltiazem in this respect. LAS 30538 differed from the other calcium channel blockers studied in that it also potently inhibited insulin secretion and impaired glucose tolerance in-vivo. The evidence that LAS 30538 is more potent than diazoxide as a hyperglycaemic agent in-vivo suggests that this could be a useful drug for the treatment of hyperinsulinaemia in man.