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Comparison of health costs associated with treatment of hypertension with a calcium channel blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in the United States and Japan.

Hypertension is prevalent in over 25% of populations in developed countries, and poses an increasing economic burden on health resources. Therefore it is predicted that future medical treatment of hypertension will be increasingly affected by cost considerations. Several classes of antihypertensive drugs are used as first-line agents for the treatment of hypertension, but the economic impact of using these agents in different countries remains to be addressed. In this study, we compared health costs associated with treatment of hypertension using the calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril in the US and Japan. Pharmaceutical costs and hospitalization costs were analyzed from established databases. The data for the prevalence of myocardial infarction and stroke were derived from the Framingham study and the Hisayama study. Analysis of the economic impacts using relative risk differences between the calcium channel blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor together with regional hospitalization costs resulted in an apparent 11.2 billion yen health cost reduction in favor of the calcium channel blocker in the case of Japan, in contrast to an apparent 5.7 billion yen reduction in favor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in the case of the US. The trends in Japan for 2000 and 2004 were similar. These results suggest that there are regional differences in the health costs associated with different classes of hypertensive agents, which could affect national policies on the choice of antihypertensive drugs. It is predicted that future treatment of hypertension will be increasingly tailored to the epidemiologic profiles and medical costs of individual communities.

Amlodipine↗

[Protective effect of calcium channel blockers on the liver against halothane hepatitis in rats].

This study examined whether nifedipine or flunarizine, calcium channel blockers, could protect the liver against halothane hepatotoxicity in rats. Six groups of 102 enzyme-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Group N1 and N2 rats received nifedipine 20 micrograms and 100 micrograms.kg-1.day-1, and group F1 and F2 rats received flunarizine 100 micrograms and 1mg.kg-1.day-1 in their drinking water for 24 hours prior to the experiment. They were then anesthetized with N2-O2-halothane 0.5% under the condition of hypoxia (FIO2 0.12) for two hours. Animals in group H were given clear water, and then anesthetized with halothane and hypoxia. Animals in group C were given clear water and exposed to hypoxia alone. Twenty-four hours after anesthesia, all animals were decapitated and their liver specimens were stained with H&E for the examination by light microscopy. Eighty percent of rats in group H showed centrilobular degeneration, but administration of nifedipine or flunarizine reduced the incidence significantly. Furthermore, histological score graded from 0 to 3, according to the degree of centrilobular degeneration was also significantly reduced by administration of nifedipine or flunarizine. These results suggest that oral administration of nifedipine or flunarizine could prevent the incidence of halothane-induced hepatotoxicity in enzyme-induced rats, probably by preventing the increase in cytosolic calcium concentration.

Animals↗

Enalapril in experimental hypertension and acute heart failure: comparison with calcium channel blockers.

The hemodynamic effects of enalaprilat (MK-422) and lisinopril (MK-521) were compared with the calcium channel blocker felodipine in dogs with ischemic left ventricular (LV) failure. The combination of nitrendipine plus enalapril was also examined in ischemic failure and in rats with spontaneous hypertension. In anesthetized dogs coronary embolization with 50 micron plastic microspheres reduced cardiac output and LV dP/dt max by approximately 40%, and LV end-diastolic pressure increased to greater than 13 mm Hg. Enalaprilat and lisinopril reduced mean arterial pressure by a maximum of 20 mm Hg and total peripheral resistance by approximately 30%. Left ventricular dP/dt:LVP, which was substantially decreased by embolization, was slightly increased by both angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The calcium entry blockers felodipine and nitrendipine qualitatively produced many of the same hemodynamic effects as the ACE inhibitors, but, in addition, they markedly reduced coronary resistance, increased myocardial blood flow, and did not alter cardiac contractility (LV dP/dt max). In spontaneously hypertensive rats single doses of nitrendipine (1.25 to 5.0 mg/kg per os) and enalapril (0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg per os) reduced mean arterial pressure, but differences were observed in the onset (enalapril 2 h versus nitrendipine 0.5 h), the duration of action, and magnitude of effect. In terms of blood pressure lowering, nitrendipine, 5.0 mg/kg per os, was clearly additive to 3.0 mg/kg per os of enalapril, but other combinations (enalapril, 3 mg/kg per os plus 0.625 mg/kg of nitrendipine or enalapril, 0.3 mg/kg per os plus 0.625 mg/kg nitrendipine) were not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of calcium channel blockers and ketotifen on beta 2 adrenergic receptor regulation in intact human lymphocytes.

Effects of three calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, NIF; verapamil, VER and diltiazem, DIL) and one antiallergic drug, ketotifen (KET) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced beta 2 adrenergic receptor desensitization and resensitization have been studied with intact human lymphocytes in vitro. While incubation of lymphocytes with 1.0 microM NIF, VER, or DIL alone neither changed [3H]-CGP-12177 binding (Bmax) nor increased cAMP responsiveness to ISO, they all partially prevented 50 nM ISO-induced beta 2 adrenoceptor-adenylate cyclase uncoupling. VER and DIL also partially prevented beta 2 adrenoceptor down-regulation, but NIF did not. In contrast, 10 microM KET not only diminished ISO-induced desensitization but also accelerated subsequent resensitization. KET alone also induced an up-regulation of cell surface beta adrenergic receptors. The effects of these compounds on beta 2 adrenoceptor regulation may partially explain their potentiation of ISO-induced cAMP accumulation in lymphocytes.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Relative negative inotropic potencies of nine calcium channel blockers in cultured heart cells.

The direct inhibitory effects on contractility and beating rate of the calcium channel blockers diltiazem, verapamil and dihydropyridine derivatives nicardipine, nifedipine, nitrendipine, PY 108-068, (+/- ) PN 200-110 and its 2 stereoisomers, were compared in cultured chick embryo ventricular cells. In spontaneously beating cells, the negative inotropic and chronotropic potencies of nicardipine, nifedipine, nitrendipine and PY 108-068 were not significantly different. The inhibitory effects of verapamil, nifedipine and nicardipine were studied in cells electrically driven at a frequency close to their spontaneous beating rate: verapamil, nifedipine and nicardipine had similar negative chronotropic potencies; when the rate of stimulation was increased 1.5 and 2-fold, a frequency-dependent inhibitory effect on contraction was shown for verapamil, but not for nifedipine and nicardipine. Therefore, in our model, where the effects of beating rate on the amplitude of contraction were taken into account, no significant difference in the direct negative inotropic potenties of nifedipine and nicardipine was shown.

Animals↗

Pranidipine, a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that enhances nitric oxide-induced vascular relaxation.

Pranidipine, a long acting 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, prolongs nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of rat aorta; it prolongs acetylcholine-induced relaxation in presence of endothelium as well as nitroglycerin-induced relaxation in absence of endothelium. In rat aorta the effect of pranidipine on NO-mediated relaxation is cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-independent, but in guinea pig carotid artery the same effect of pranidipine is cGMP-dependent. It has been reported that in co-cultured human endothelial and smooth muscle cells pranidipine, at a higher concentration (10(-6) M), enhances vasorelaxant effect of NO by blocking NO decomposition. The enhancement of NO action by pranidipine differs from the direct NO-releasing action of other 1,4-dihydropyridines. It is expected that enhancement of NO-induced vasodilatation will lead to a venodilator action in vivo and less peripheral edema. The target organ protective effects of pranidipine are also reviewed in this article.

Amlodipine↗

Modulation of ischemic-induced damage to cerebral adenylate cyclase in gerbils by calcium channel blockers.

It has been previously established that prolonged bilateral carotid occlusion followed by recirculation produces damage to the synaptic enzyme adenylate cyclase in the frontal cortex of the gerbil. Since calcium entrance into the brain may account in part for the deleterious consequences of stroke, the present study examined whether pretreatment with calcium channel blockers would modify the effects of 60 min of bilateral ischemia plus 40 min of reflow on various parameters of cortical adenylate cyclase activation. In this context activation of cerebral homogenates by norepinephrine with or without 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate was preserved by pretreatment of ischemic gerbils with verapamil but worsened by flunarizine. In contrast, in particulate fractions (treated with EGTA to reduce metallic ion levels) the damage to the Mn2+-sensitive catalytic site of adenylate cyclase was prevented only by flunarizine. Pretreatment with the two calcium channel blockers resulted in an elevated basal activity of the enzyme, thereby reducing the response in the homogenate preparation to forskolin. Gerbils pretreated with verapamil tended to have an increased ability for survival resulting from the ischemic episode. Under in vitro conditions the enzyme preparations were not markedly influenced by either drug.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Effect of diltiazem on the pharmacokinetics of MPC-1304, a new calcium channel blocker.

The effect of diltiazem pretreatment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MPC-1304, a new calcium channel blocker, were evaluated in six healthy male volunteers. Placebo or diltiazem 60 mg was given orally three times daily for 3 days in a double-blind crossover method. MPC-1304 10 mg was administered orally two times at an interval of four weeks as a washout period. Diltiazem significantly increased the maximum plasma level (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of MPC-1304 from control values (3.0 +/- 1.5 to 10.2 +/- 4.8 ng/ml, p less than 0.05, and 11.0 +/- 3.8 to 36.0 +/- 15.6 ng.h/ml, p less than 0.01, respectively) without any changes of t1/2. In the case of the major active metabolite, side chain reduced form (MI), Cmax, AUC, and t1/2 were significantly increased by diltiazem as follows: Cmax, 60.7 +/- 21.1 to 171.4 +/- 73.6 ng/ml, p less than 0.05; AUC, 317.6 +/- 62.6 to 1,334.9 +/- 563.6 ng.h/ml, p less than 0.01; t1/2, 2.8 +/- 0.7 to 3.9 +/- 0.6 h, p less than 0.01. Diltiazem pretreatment slightly, but not significantly decreased blood pressure after MPC-1304 dosing. The inhibition of hepatic metabolism on MPC-1304 may explain the significant changes in pharmacokinetics of MPC-1304 after diltiazem pretreatment.

Administration, Oral↗

Acute hemodynamic effects of nilvadipine, a new calcium channel blocker, in patients with congestive heart failure.

The acute hemodynamic effects of nilvadipine, a newly synthesized calcium channel blocker, were studied in 12 patients with congestive heart failure. Hemodynamic measurements were made before and 15, 30, and 60 min after oral administration of 6 mg nilvadipine. Substantial reductions in systemic vascular resistance (-28.8 +/- 6.3%, p less than 0.01) and forearm vascular resistance (-52.0 +/- 6.2%, p less than 0.01) after nilvadipine administration were associated with increases in cardiac index (31.1 +/- 8.3%, p less than 0.01) and forearm blood flow (105.2 +/- 27.4%, p less than 0.01). Mean arterial and pulmonary arterial pressures were decreased by 12.2 +/- 3.0% (p less than 0.01) and 14.7 +/- 5.0% (p less than 0.05), respectively, after nilvadipine administration; however, heart rate remained unchanged. Decreases in mean arterial pressure correlated with the baseline arterial pressure (y = 0.58x - 41.6, r = 0.75, p less than 0.01). Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased by 33.1 +/- 9.1% (p less than 0.01) after nilvadipine administration. However, right atrial pressure and the venous stiffness constant remained unchanged, and the venous pressure-volume curve was not shifted significantly. Therefore, the decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was attributed primarily to afterload reduction. Nilvadipine holds promise as a vasodilator for the therapy of congestive heart failure.

Aged↗

Benidipine, a long-acting calcium channel blocker, inhibits cardiac remodeling in pressure-overloaded mice.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of long-acting calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling are seldom studied in animals. We evaluated the effects of benidipine, a long-acting CCB, on cardiac remodeling. METHODS: Rat neonatal cardiac myocytes were used to examine the influence of benidipine on protein synthesis. Cardiac remodeling was induced in C57 B6/J mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Then the effects of benidipine (10 mg/kg/d) were assessed on myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure, cardiac histology, and gene expression. RESULTS: Benidipine significantly inhibited protein synthesis by cardiac myocytes stimulated with phenylephrine (PE), and this effect was partially abolished by cotreatment with a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor [N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME)]. Four weeks after the onset of pressure overload, benidipine therapy potently inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and prevented heart failure. The heart to body weight ratio was 6.89+/-0.48 mg/g in treated mice vs. 8.76+/-0.33 mg/g in untreated mice (P<0.01), and the lung to body weight ratio was 7.39+/-0.93 mg/g vs. 10.53+/-0.99 mg/g, respectively (P<0.05). Left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) was improved on echocardiography. Plasma NO levels were increased, while B type natriuretic peptide, protein inhibitor of neuronal NOS, and procollagen IV alpha were down-regulated in benidipine-treated mice. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that benidipine inhibits cardiac remodeling due to pressure overload at least partly by acting on the nitric oxide signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Pharmacological interaction of the calcium channel blockers verapamil and flunarizine with the opioid system.

We evaluated the opioid antinociceptive mechanism of the calcium channel blockers verapamil and flunarizine in groups of mice with the hotplate test. Both produced a naloxone-sensitive dose-dependent analgesia. The antinociceptive effect of both was reversed by beta-FNA, (mu1 and mu2 antagonists), and both enhanced the antinociceptive activity of morphine, implying a role for mu receptors. Furthermore, since the analgesic effect of flunarizine, but not verapamil, was reversed by naloxonazine (mu1 antagonist), we suggest that the mu1 subtype is involved in flunarizine analgesia, but not in verapamil analgesia. Studies with the selective delta opioid agonist DPDPE and the selective antagonists naltrindole indicated that the antinociceptive activity of verapamil is also mediated by delta receptor agonistic activity (primarily following i.c.v. administration); flunarizine, by contrast, exhibited antagonistic activity at this receptor. Verapamil amplified the antinociceptive activity of kappa1 (U50,488H) and kappa3 (nalorphine) agonists, but its known analgesic activity was inhibited only partially by the kappa1 antagonist Nor-BNI, indicating partial involvement of kappa1 receptor. Flunarizine, however, demonstrated antagonistic activity at both kappa1 and kappa3 receptors, with more prominent inhibitory activity at the latter one. These findings suggest that verapamil and flunarizine elicit analgesia at both the spinal and supraspinal levels. Verapamil's analgesia was explained by agonistic activity at the mu, delta and may also be kappa3 receptor subtypes. Flunarizine exhibited a mixed agonistic-antagonistic opioid activity as shown by its agonistic activity at the mu1 receptor and antagonistic activity at delta, kappa1 and kappa3 receptor subtypes.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Differential effects of calcium channel blockers on the responses of the rat vas deferens to intramural nerve stimulation and exogenous drugs.

The calcium channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, have separate effects on the phases of nerve-induced twitches which are not reflected by their actions on the responses to exogenous NA, ATP and the stable ATP analogue, alpha, beta-mATP. This implies that different calcium channels are used according to the manner of stimulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Amlodipine, a long-acting calcium channel blocker, attenuates morning blood pressure rise in hypertensive patients.

1. The effects of once-daily calcium channel blockers with different plasma half-lives on diurnal blood pressure changes were examined in hypertensive patients. 2. Patients with essential hypertension, nine men and 13 women aged 61 +/- 2 years, were treated with amlodipine or nitrendipine in a random cross-over design for 12-16 weeks each. The study drugs were given once daily as monotherapy (n = 8) or in combination with other classes of antihypertensive drugs (n = 14). The plasma half-life of amlodipine is as long as 36 h, while that of nitrendipine is 10 h. At the end of each treatment period, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and pulse rate were monitored. 3. Average office blood pressure was comparably controlled below 140/90 mmHg by either amlodipine or nitrendipine, both in the monotherapy and the combination therapy groups; however, pulse rate was greater in nitrendipine than in amlodipine either in the monotherapy (by 6 b.p.m., P < 0.05) or in the combination therapy (by 5 b.p.m., P < 0.01). 4. In 24 h blood pressure monitoring, morning (05.30-09.00 h) blood pressure was higher in nitrendipine than in amlodipine by 6/4 mmHg in the monotherapy (P < 0.05) and by 7/5 mmHg in the combination therapy (P < 0.03), although the blood pressure in the remainder of the 24 h did not differ between the two treatment periods. In addition, pulse rate in the daytime (09.30-18.00 h) was greater in nitrendipine than in amlodipine by 6 b.p.m. in the monotherapy (P < 0.01) and by 7 b.p.m. in the combination therapy (P < 0.02). 5. These results suggest slow pharmacokinetics of amlodipine provides an advantage in controlling morning blood pressure and mitigating reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Amlodipine↗

Efficacy and safety of calcium channel blockers in heart failure: focus on recent trials with second-generation dihydropyridines.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) has high morbidity and mortality rates despite treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, and digoxin. Adjunctive vasodilation through calcium channel blockade has been suggested as potentially useful. However, the first-generation calcium channel blockers, including the dihydropyridine nifedipine, showed disappointing results in CHF. The second-generation dihydropyridines were expected to be of more value, and of all the calcium channel blockers, these drugs were the ones most studied in patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Medline databank was used to search studies in human beings (published in 1990 or later) that used dihydropyridines in patients with CHF. The references of the studies found were subsequently checked for additional data. In 17 studies and more than 2000 patients with CHF, no consistent beneficial effect was observed with regard to exercise tolerance and functional capacity, whereas plasma neurohormones were not affected. On the other hand, in general, no worsening of CHF was seen with these second-generation dihydropyridines. Two larger studies (PRAISE and V-HeFT III) have given some estimates on the long-term effects of dihydropyridines, and no overall influence on mortality rate was found. Of note, subanalysis of the PRAISE study has suggested that in patients with a nonischemic cause of CHF, amlodipine might have a beneficial effect on survival. CONCLUSIONS: In this review we have focused on the efficacy and safety of dihydropyridines in patients with CHF, as reported in recent trials. The data do not support the use of dihydropyridines when primarily given as treatment for CHF. The results, however, suggest that these drugs can be safely given to patients with left ventricular dysfunction or CHF who need additional treatment for angina pectoris or hypertension.

Amlodipine↗

Calcium channel blockers for primary Raynaud's phenomenon: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To determine the efficacy of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Primary outcomes were frequency and severity of RP attacks. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted using primary data sources: Medline, Current Contents and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of >2 days' duration with <35% dropouts. Eighteen of 31 trials were eligible for inclusion [13 nifedipine vs placebo; five other CCBs vs placebo (n = 361)]. The main reasons for trial exclusion were: subset data (primary RP) not provided (n = 10); data published more than once (n = 1); lack of control group (n = 1); and lack of randomization (n = 1). Data were abstracted independently and a weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated for the outcomes. RESULTS: The WMD (95% confidence interval) of all CCBs vs placebo for reduction in the frequency of attacks (n = 17) over 1 week was -5.00 (-9.02, -0.99) (P = 0.01) or -2.80 (-3.90, -1.70) when heterogeneity was considered, and -6.05 (-11.19,-0.19) (P = 0.04) for nifedipine alone (n = 10). The WMD of all CCBs vs placebo (n = 8) for reduction in severity of attacks (assessed with a 10-cm visual analogue scale) was -1.39 (-2.20, -0.58) (P = 0.0007) and -1.81 (-3.08, -0.54) (P = 0.005) for nifedipine alone (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Several small RCTs of CCBs for primary RP have been conducted and have yielded clinical improvement in the frequency and severity of ischaemic attacks. Most trials were crossover trials in which order effect was not studied; this may have introduced bias. The effect size may have been small because of low dosing in studies. The efficacy of CCBs for reducing severity and frequency of ischaemic attacks in primary RP is small (average of 2.8 to 5.0 fewer attacks per week and a 33% reduction in severity).

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Beneficial effect of the long-term treatment with the combination of an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker on renal injury in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy.

The effects of the addition of a calcium channel blocker, verapamil (20 mg/kg/day) to an ACE inhibitor, trandolapril (0.7 mg/kg/day) in a 6-month treatment on renal insufficiency development in rats with 5/6th nephrectomy, were studied. Every month we measured heart rate and arterial pressure by the tail-cuff method. Renal function studies were performed in metabolic cages. At the end of the study, renal tissue was prepared for light microscope analysis. Renal lesions were assessed by semiquantitative scores in a blind fashion. Corpuscular section area, intraglomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were determined by digital image analysis with a specific software (Fibrosis HR) on syrium red-stained renal sections. Trandolapril markedly increased the survival ratio that after 6 months reached 87% in comparison with 61% in untreated rats. No mortality was observed in rats treated with the combination of verapamil and trandolapril. Trandolapril treatment prevented the development of hypertension. The combination verapamil-trandolapril did not induce further reduction on blood pressure. The untreated group showed a marked proteinuria, that in the trandolapril group showed an important reduction. The verapamil + trandolapril group showed a proteinuria significantly smaller than that of all the other groups. Light microscopy semiquantitative studies of the renal injury showed that the trandolapril and verapamil + trandolapril groups had a marked reduction in glomerular and tubulointerstitial alterations, compared with untreated animals. Quantitative determinations of glomerular and interstitial fibrosis performed on syrium red-stained renal sections demonstrated that fibrosis was reduced when rats when treated with trandolapril and even more with verapamil + trandolapril when they were compared to untreated animals' values. In conclusion, long-term treatment with verapamil given in addition to trandolapril produces additional protection against progressive renal injury associated to subtotal nephrectomy.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗