Insulin Receptor Number in Arterial Hypertension: Response to Treatment With Fosinopril or Atenolol

Human insulin receptor (hINR) number and its response to medical treatment was evaluated in 14 male controls and 40 male hypertensive patients. Twenty patients treated with fosinopril (10 to 20 mg daily orally) comprised Group A and 20 treated with atenolol (25 to 50 mg daily orally) Group B. The hINR number (receptors × 103/red cell) was greater in controls compared to untreated patients (8.22 ± 2.4 v 5.53 ± 1.27, P< .001). After 6 months of treatment the hINR number increased in Group A (5.73 ± 1.47 v 7.5 ± 2.06, P< .001) and remained unchanged (5.35 ± 1.09 v 5.5 ± 1.31, P = NS) in Group B. Thus, hINR number is decreased in hypertension and, in contrast to atenolol, fosinopril treatment is associated with an increase in hINR number, suggesting a favorable effect on glucose metabolism.