Studies on the glycemic and lipidemic effect of monopril and losartan in normal and diabetic rats.

The effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor monopril and the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan on serum glucose, protein levels and some serum lipid components were compared in normal and diabetic rats receiving oral antidiabetic drugs 'repaglinide or gliclazide'. The two antihypertensive agents, when administered concurrently with oral hypoglycemic agents 'repaglinide or gliclazide' in normal and diabetic rats exerted a significant hypoglycemic effect. Serum protein levels were mainly unaffected by the two antihypertensive drugs. Monopril and losartan exhibit a hypolipidemic effect in normal and diabetic rats when administered in combination with oral hypoglycemic agents 'gliclazide or repaglinide'. Monopril or losartan when used alone exerted insignificant effect in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in normal rats, while in combination with gliclazide or repaglinide caused a significant increase in HDL in normal rats. Concomitantly, monopril or losartan, when administered alone or in combination with repaglinide or gliclazide in diabetic rats exerted a significant increase in serum HDL. On the other hand, all the investigated drugs showed a significant decrease in serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) in normal and diabetic rats.