Shi J, Liang D, Pan Y, et al. - In this crossover trial, researchers investigated the influence of alpha-receptor blockers on blood pressure variability (BPV) in hypertensive patients (n = 36). They randomized participants to one of two groups to receive either doxazosin mesylate gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS; 4 mg/day) or nifedipine GITS (30 mg/day) for 12 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period and then a 12-week crossover phase. They performed 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring at baseline and following 12-week therapy. Findings revealed a significant reduction in systolic BP and diastolic BP levels with both doxazosin and nifedipine after 12-week treatment; no between-group variations were evident. Nifedipine, however, induced significant lowering of systolic BPV (24-hour SD, coefficient of variation [CV], and average real variability [ARV]; daytime SD; nighttime SD and CV) and diastolic BPV (24-hour SD and ARV); doxazosin, on the other hand, significantly attenuated systolic BPV (24-hour SD, CV and ARV; daytime SD; nighttime SD) and diastolic BPV (nighttime SD and CV). As far as therapeutic effects on BP, BP SD, and BP CV lowering were concerned, doxazosin mesylate GITS was found to be similar to nifedipine GITS in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.