Vildagliptin, metformin have different effects on BP in T2DM

(HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes, vildagliptin lowers blood pressure (BP) and elevates heart rate (HR), while metformin increases HR with no effect on BP during intraduodenal (ID) glucose infusion, according to a study published online March 3 in Diabetes Care.

Tongzhi Wu, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Adelaide in Australia, and colleagues examined the effects of vildagliptin and metformin on BP and HR responses to ID glucose in patients with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes. Study A compared vildagliptin and placebo given 60 minutes before a 120-minute ID glucose infusion (at 2 or 4 kcal/min [ID2 and ID4]) in 16 patients, while study B compared metformin and placebo given 30 minutes before ID2 over 120 minutes in nine patients.

The researchers found that after vildagliptin versus placebo, systolic and diastolic BP were lower (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001) and HR was higher (P = 0.005); there was no correlation between vildagliptin and the rate of glucose infusion. HR was increased after metformin versus placebo (P < 0.001), with no difference in systolic or diastolic BP.

"Vildagliptin reduces BP and increases HR, whereas metformin increases HR without affecting BP during ID glucose infusion in type 2 diabetes," the authors write. "These distinct cardiovascular profiles during enteral nutrient exposure may have implications for postprandial hypotension."

Study A was supported by Novartis, which supplied the vildagliptin and matching placebo tablets. Study B was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme, which arranged the supply of metformin and placebo.