Therapeutic Research

Abstract

We investigated the effects of β1−selective β−blocker celiprolol on insulin resistance and steroid hormones in essential hypertension. Patients received celiprolol 200 mg／day for 3 to 6 months. Diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate decreased significantly. The fasting immunoreactive insulin concentration decreased significantly after treatment, as did the insulin resistance index（determined by homeostasis model assessment）. Concurrent with the fall in insulin concentration, celiprolol treatment increased dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone−sulfate, and adiponectin concentrations. We conclude that celiprolol improves insulin resistance, which may secondarily increase serum dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone−sulfate concentrations.