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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(9): 499-503
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34789
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Acute Administration of Doxazosin on Fasting and Postprandial Haemodynamics and Lipid Metabolism in Healthy Subjects

T.  J.  Ulahannan 1 , F.  Karpe 1 , S.  M.  Humphreys 1 , D.  R.  Matthews 1 , K.  N.  Frayn 1
  • 1Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 15 January 2002

Accepted after revision: 15 May 2002

Publication Date:
17 October 2002 (online)

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Abstract

The selective α1-adrenoceptor antagonist doxazosin has apparently beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and on plasma lipid concentrations. In order to understand these effects better, we investigated the acute effects of doxazosin on adipose tissue and forearm blood flow and on postprandial lipid metabolism in healthy subjects. Nine subjects were studied in a balanced, placebo-controlled design. Pulse rate, blood pressure, forearm and subcutaneous adipose tissue blood flow were measured before and for 6 h after a mixed meal, with concomitant measurements of blood metabolites and insulin. Doxazosin increased pulse rate (p = 0.02) and forearm blood flow (p < 0.01 in fasting state), and decreased vascular resistance in forearm (p < 0.05 for fasting values) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (p = 0.04). Fasting plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were increased by 40 % (p < 0.05). No other metabolic effects were detected. The effects on adipose tissue vascular resistance and lipolysis (reflected in elevated non-esterified fatty acid concentrations) were unexpected, as these are usually considered to be mediated by the balance of α2- and β-adrenoceptor activity in humans. We conclude that α1-adrenoceptor activity may be more important in regulation of human lipid metabolism than previously recognized.

Key words

α1-Adrenoceptors - Adipose Tissue - Forearm - Blood Flow - Vascular Resistance - Non-Esterified Fatty Acids

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Prof. K. N. Frayn

Oxford Lipid Metabolism Group

Radcliffe Infirmary · Oxford OX2 6HE · UK

Phone: + 44 (1865) 224 180

Fax: + 44 (1865) 224 652

Email: keith.frayn@oxlip.ox.ac.uk