Effect of Anti-Hypertensive Drug Atenolol on Liver Function by Evaluating ALT levels

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the major causes of cardiovascular and renal pathologies and it is mainly characterized by high blood pressure in blood vessels. Many drugs have been developed to treat hypertension, but these drugs have several side effects. Atenolol belongs to the beta blocker drug class and is used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. It is an anti-beta-adrenergic agent which inhibits beta receptors in the heart to decrease blood pressure. It has several side effects including hepatic dysfunctions. Objective: To analyze the effects of atenolol on hepatic dysfunction by evaluating the ALT level in patients taking either atenolol alone or in combination with other hypertensive drugs. Methods: The change in ALT levels were measured upon treatment of atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Out of selected 80 patients, 43 had been taking atenolol alone, 37 were taking atenolol in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs and 20 were healthy controls. Micro-laboratory tests were performed for measuring the ALT levels. Results: Atenolol did not affect the ALT levels of any group, neither alone nor in combination with other hypertensive drugs. Conclusions: Atenolol may cause hepatic dysfunction but according to this study it does not cause change in ALT level of blood and ALT is not elevated in all liver dysfunction as have been reported earlier so it didn’t diminish the chance of effect of atenolol on liver functions. Further this study may be employed on larger patient groups for strengthening the outcomes of this study.