The Effects of Cabergoline on Vascular Indices in Overweight and Obese Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity often coexist and are associated with increased cardiovascular complications.
 Objective: This study aims to determine the effects of cabergoline, a dopamine agonist on fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in overweight and obese T2D patients.
 Methods: Fifty-eight T2D patients were randomized to cabergoline 0.5 mg biweekly or control groups for 12 weeks. BP and arterial stiffness were recorded at baseline before starting study medication and repeated after 12 weeks. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central augmentation index (AIx) were used to assess arterial stiffness. Other parameters measured were anthropometric measurements, FBG, HbA1c and lipid profile. Changes in these parameters after 12 weeks compared to baseline were calculated for each group, and compared between the two groups.
 Results: Twenty-eight and twenty-six patients from cabergoline and control groups completed the treatment respectively. After 12 weeks, weight and diastolic BP were increased for both groups while body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were increased in cabergoline group. PWV and AIx were not significantly different either within or between group comparisons. There were no significant differences in mean changes in all parameters between the two groups.
 Conclusion: Weight and diastolic BP were elevated in both groups while BMI and WC were increased in cabergoline group. Compared to control, cabergoline treatment at 0.5 mg biweekly in overweight and obese T2D patients for 12 weeks did not improve BP and arterial stiffness.