Impact of diltiazem/beprost on exercise endurance in healthy young males after high altitude exposure

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of single or combined use of diltiazem and beprost on exercise endurance improvement after high altitude exposure in healthy young males. Methods A total of 200 non-Tibet health young men who have inhabited in plain areas for generations and were transferred from plain to plateau (2 815 m) from July 2017 to August 2020 were recruited in the study. The participants were randomly assigned in group A (90 mg diltiazem sustained-release capsule placebo once a day and 40 μg beraprost placebo 3 times a day), B (90 mg diltiazem sustained-release capsule placebo once a day and 40 μg beraprost 3 times a day). C (90 mg diltiazem sustained-release capsules once a day and 40 μg beraprost placebo 3 times a day) and D (90 mg diltiazem sustained-release capsules once a day and 40 μg beraprost 3 times a day). After 5 days' continuous administration of drug and placebo, results of 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood pressure (BP) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and incidence of adverse reactions before and after intervention were collected and compared among the groups. Results There were 13 cases lost during follow-up, and finally 187 participants were included. After intervention, the results of 6MWD test were obviously improved (t=-9.048, -9.555, -12.903, 95%CI: -45.582~-28.984, -46.391~-30.262, -63.205~-46.128, P < 0.05), PASP values (t=10.219, 9.380, 11.069, 95%CI: 2.304~3.435, 2.277~3.519, 2.636~3.809, P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in group B, group C and group D, and the SpO2 values (t=-4.071, -4.655, 95%CI: -1.311~-0.444, -2.569~-1.031, P < 0.05) were greatly increased in groups C and D. In addition, the participants from the groups B, C and D obtained significantly prolonged 6MWD results (F=7.246, P < 0.05) and lower PASP value (F=10.421, P < 0.05) after the treatment when compared with those of group A. Moreover, SpO2 in group D was significantly higher than that in groups A, B and C (F=6.896, P < 0.05). There were no significant difference in BP value and incidence of adverse reactions. Conclusion Single or combined use of diltiazem and beprost can improve exercise endurance in healthy young males after high altitude exposure, with good safety.

Keywords

• diltiazem
• beprost
• exercise endurance
• impact
• high altitude