Impact of short-term treatment with benzodiazepines and imidazopyridines on glucose metabolism in healthy subjects

Aim In the last years there has been a progressive reduction of the average duration of sleep and an increase in the incidence of sleep disturbances. At the same time, an increase of the incidence of the metabolic syndrome has been described, partly attributable to the progressive worsening of dietary habits and the increase in sedentary lifestyle. Recent studies suggest that adequate sleep is essential to maintain good glucose metabolism and sleep disturbances may contribute to the manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Benzodiazepines (BZ), such as brotizolam, and imidazopyridines, such as zolpidem, are frequently used as hypnotics but their potential impact on glucose metabolism has never been evaluated so far. Methods In 12 healthy volunteers [age (mean +/- SEM) 38.3 +/- 8.1 years; body mass index (BMI) 21.9 +/- 0.8 kg/m 2] we studied glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 75 g) before and after 15 days treatment with brotizolam 0.25 mg/day or zolpidem 10 mg/day. Results Brotizolam increased glucose delta area under curve response to the OGTT by 122 % (p < 0.01) and zolpidem by 86 % (p < 0.01) without significant variations of insulin levels, suggesting an impact on insulin sensitivity and/or insulin secretion. Conclusions This study suggests that BZ and imidazopyridines have a rapid glucometabolic effect that is detectable as early as after 15 days treatment.