Calcium channel blockers, used in the treatment of high blood pressure, may increase the risk of developing colonic diverticulosis, a bowel disease.
A recent studyconducted by a team of scientists from Imperial College London and published in the journal Trafficanalyzed the efficacy and side effects of three drugs frequently used in the treatment of high blood pressure: ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.
High blood pressure affects one in 10 adults worldwide and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is often prescribed to change lifestyle but also to take medication. However, while the three drugs in question are ingested by several million people, studying their side effects is complicated and requires expensive and time-consuming clinical studies.
A risk of develop colonic diverticulosis
To address this problem, the research team conducted genetic studies. Thanks to the study variants of genes that correspond to proteins involved in the effect of these drugs, they were able to study the effectiveness of the drugs. The good news is that the results remained the same for heart attacks and strokes: treating high blood pressure does reduce their risk.
Using this technique, the team also tested the risks of these antihypertensives against approximately 900 other diseases. They were surprised to find that variants of genes that mimicked the effects of calcium channel blockers were linked to a higher risk of developing colonic diverticulosis, a common bowel disease.
Further research is needed
This disease creates small diverticula on the intestinal wall. It particularly affects the elderly (nearly 65% of those over 85). When these pockets become infected or rupture, colonic diverticulosis can lead to severe surgical emergencies.
The link found between calcium channel blockers and colonic diverticulosis must now be further investigated. “This is the first time that this type of blood pressure drug has been associated with colonic diverticulosis, explains Dr Dipender Gill, co-lead author of the study. We are not yet sure of the mechanism, even if it is surely related to the effects on the functioning of the intestinal muscles, which contract to transport food through the intestines.”
However, Dr. Gill points out that these results should not change current prescription guidelines for high blood pressure and that patients should never stop their treatment without their doctor’s consent. On the other hand, it is good news for the understanding and future treatments of diverticulosis, which currently remains an orphan disease.
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