Effect of low dose mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone on glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy adult males

Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR) activation is involved in blood pressure regulation and the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac fibrosis, vascular inflammation and arterial aging. Recent investigations suggest a role for MR activation in metabolic dysregulation. Objective. To test the effect of MR blockade on basal and postprandial glucose and lipid levels after a meal high in fat and glucose in healthy males. Subjects and methods. A prospective, self-controlled study was performed in 13 healthy adult males aged 18-45years. Blood was drawn before, 2h, and 4h after a high fat/high glucose meal (50 g fat, 75 g glucose), followed by low-dose eplerenone treatment (50 mg daily) for 14days. Subjects returned for a second high fat/high glucose meal after the medication period. Basal and postprandial blood glucose and lipid levels were compared before and after eplerenone treatment. Results. Eplerenone treatment affected neither basal nor postprandial glucose and lipid levels in our study population. Conclusion. Our results suggest that low-dose, non-blood pressure-affecting, MR blockade does not alter postprandial lipid and glucose homeostasis in healthy adult subjects. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.