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Effects of calcium channel blockers on coronary vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 in closed chest pigs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of endothelin-1 on the coronary vascular bed of closed chest pigs. Endothelin-1 (3 to 30 pmol/kg body weight) was selectively administered into the left anterior descending coronary artery. Coronary blood flow and epicardial vessel diameter were measured by quantitative arteriography. Arterial pressure increased after a 30 pmol/kg dose and heart rate was not changed. Coronary blood flow and vessel diameter of the left anterior descending artery significantly decreased by 74% and 32%, respectively (p less than 0.01 versus control) after the 30 pmol/kg dose, whereas these variables modestly decreased in the left circumflex artery. Endothelin-1 in doses of 10 to 30 pmol/kg produced electrocardiographic ST segment elevation associated with decreased oxygen saturation of coronary sinus venous blood. Endothelin-induced coronary vasoconstriction was significantly inhibited after treatment with intravenous diltiazem (0.2 mg/kg, n = 6) or nifedipine (0.1 mg/kg, n = 5), but not after vehicle administration (n = 4). This study demonstrates that intracoronary administration of endothelin-1 causes significant myocardial ischemia through coronary vasoconstriction, which is inhibited by a calcium channel blocker. The data suggest that calcium influx into the smooth muscle cells appears to be involved at least in part in the mechanism of endothelin-induced coronary vasoconstriction in vivo.

Animals↗

LDL receptor gene expression in human mesangial cells under the influence of calcium channel blockers.

BACKGROUND: Intracellular transport of lipid through the regulation of LDL receptor (LDLr) may be important in the progression of renal dysfunction. METHODS: We explored LDLr gene expression in human mesangial cell line (HMCL) under influence of calcium channel blockers using cell proliferation, LDL binding, Northern blot and LDLr promoter activity assay. RESULTS: Diltiazem and verapamil increased the expression of LDLr mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Increased LDLr mRNA paralleled LDL binding. Nifedipine did not increase the expression of LDLr mRNA and LDL binding to HMCL at 1 - 100 micromol/l. The LDLr promoter activity assay showed that treatment with 100 micromol/ of diltiazem and verapamil increased LDLr promoter activity by 126.72 +/- 10.68%, and 166.41 +/- 11.41%, respectively, at 24 hours (control as 100%), while treatment with 100 micromol/l of nifedipine had an inhibitory effect on LDLr promoter activity. High concentration of LDL (250 microg/ml) inhibited promoter activity. Diltiazem or verapamil coincubated with LDL (250 microg/ml) could not override transcriptional inhibition by LDL. CCBs inhibited the proliferation of HMCL, therefore, CCBs-induced LDLr expression did not depend on a proliferative response. Signal transduction pathway experiments showed that the calmodulin transduction pathway was involved in LDLr upregulation induced by diltiazem or verapamil. Additionally, tyrosine kinase and PKC pathways were involved in the induction of LDLr induced by verapamil. CONCLUSION: These studies show that diltiazem and verapamil increase LDLr gene transcription and expression which is independent of cell proliferation in HMCL.

Blotting, Northern↗

The antithrombogenic in vivo effects of calcium channel blockers in experimental thrombosis in mice.

A new model of thrombotic challenge, well suited for screening agents and which acts primarily against platelet thromboembolism, has been used to test the in vivo anti-platelet effects of four calcium channel blockers (CCB). An i.v. injection of a mixture of collagen plus epinephrine (15 micrograms and 1.8 micrograms/mouse, respectively) was given to male mice. 94% control mice died or remained paralyzed for more than 15 minutes. The dihydropyridine agents, CRE-223 and Nifedipine, were highly protective against experimental thrombosis, whereas Verapamil had a weaker and much shorter effect and, on the other hand, Diltiazem had no protective effect over a range of doses. The activity on both dihydropyridines lasted for seven hours or even longer.

Animals↗

Inhibition of type A GABA receptors by L-type calcium channel blockers.

Modulation of type A GABA receptors (GABAA) by L-type Ca++ channel blockers was investigated. The dihydropyridines nifedipine and nitrendipine, and the phenylalkylamine verapamil inhibited recombinant rat alpha1beta2gamma2 receptors recorded from human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells; nifedipine at low concentrations also elicited modest stimulatory effects on GABA-gated current. The IC50 for GABA current inhibition was lowest for nitrendipine (17.3 +/- 1.3 microM), so subsequent studies were focused on further exploring its mechanism and possible site of action. When co-applied with GABA, nitrendipine had minimal effects on initial current amplitude, but significantly enhanced current decay rate. Nitrendipine-mediated inhibition was subunit-selective, as its IC50 was 10-fold lower in alpha1beta2 receptors. Nitrendipine's effect in recombinant human alpha1beta2gamma2 receptors was similar (IC50=23.0 +/- 1.3 microM) to that observed in rat receptors of the same configuration, indicating the site of action is conserved in the two species. The inhibitory effects were dependent on channel gating, were independent of transmembrane voltage, and were also observed in GABAA receptors recorded from hypothalamic brain slices. The pharmacologic mechanism of inhibition by nitrendipine was non-competitive, indicating it does not act at the GABA binding site. Nitrendipine block was retained in the presence of the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil, indicating it does not interact at the benzodiazepine site. The actions of nitrendipine were not affected by a mutation (beta2T246F) that confers resistance to the channel blocker picrotoxin, and they were not altered in the presence of the picrotoxin site antagonist alpha-isopropyl-alpha-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone, demonstrating nitrendipine does not act at the picrotoxin site of the GABAA receptor. Possible interaction of nitrendipine with the Zn++ site was also eliminated, as mutation of beta2 H267 to A, which confers resistance to Zn++, had no effect on nitrendipine-mediated inhibition. Our data suggest some of the central effects of dihydropyridines may be due to actions at GABAA receptors. Moreover, the effects may be mediated through interaction with a novel modulatory site on the GABAA receptor.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Effect of combination therapy with a calcium channel blocker and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on renal hypertrophy and urinary albumin excretion in diabetic rats.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker on the development of renal changes in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin in normotensive Wistar rats. Treatment was commenced immediately in 1 set of rats with 4 treatment arms: nitrendipine (250 mg/kg fodder), enalapril (35 mg/L drinking water), both treatments in combination, or placebo. Treatment was continued for 9 weeks. Another set of rats was left with untreated diabetes for 3 months followed by 7 weeks treatment as above. When starting treatment right after induction of diabetes, nitrendipine significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion (UAE) to the nondiabetic level (P < .05) without reducing blood pressure (BP), whereas enalapril failed to significantly reduce UAE despite a reduction in BP. Combining the two treatments showed no further reduction in UAE compared to monotherapy with nitrendipine, despite a lower BP. When leaving diabetic rats untreated for 3 months, only the coadministration of nitrendipine and enalapril showed a significant reduction in UAE compared to monotherapy and placebo treatment, but showed no significant effect on BP.

Albuminuria↗

Dihydropyrimidine calcium channel blockers. 3. 3-Carbamoyl-4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid esters as orally effective antihypertensive agents.

In order to explain the potent antihypertensive activity of the modestly active (IC50 = 3.2 microM) dihydropyrimidine calcium channel blocker 5, we carried out drug metabolism studies in the rat and found 5 is metabolized to compounds 6-10. Two of the metabolites, 6 (IC50 = 16 nM) and 7 (IC50 = 12 nM), were found to be responsible for the antihypertensive activity of compound 5. Potential metabolism of 6 into 7 in vivo precluded our interest in pursuing compounds related to 6. Structure-activity studies aimed at identifying additional aryl-substituted analogues of 7 led to 17g,j,p with comparable potential in vivo, though these compounds were less potent than 7 in vitro. To investigate the effects of absolute stereochemistry on potency, we resolved 7 via diastereomeric ureas 19a,b, prepared from 18 by treatment with (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine. Our results demonstrate that the active R-(-)-enantiomer 20a of 7 is both more potent and longer acting than nifedipine (1) as an antihypertensive agent in the SHR. The in vivo potency and duration of 20a is comparable to the long-acting dihydropyridine amlodipine. The superior oral antihypertensive activity of 20a compared to that of previously described carbamates 2 (R2 = COOEt) could be explained by its improved oral bioavailability, possibly resulting from increased stability of the urea functionality.

Administration, Oral↗

A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effect of a calcium channel blocker ointment on pain after hemorrhoidectomy.

PURPOSE: Spasm of the internal sphincter plays a role in hemorrhoidal disease and may be a source of anal pain after hemorrhoid surgery. We have evaluated the effects of topical diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, in reducing pain after hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: After hemorrhoidectomy, 18 patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 percent diltiazem ointment (n = 9) or a placebo ointment (n = 9). Ointments were applied to the perianal region three times daily for seven days. Patients were prescribed hydrocodone bitartrate (Vicodin) to take as needed. The type and number of prescribed or nonprescribed medications taken during the postoperative period were recorded. Patients maintained a log to measure postoperative pain daily and perceived benefit of the ointment, using a Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 to 10. Any postoperative morbidity noted during the follow-up period was recorded. RESULTS: Patients using the diltiazem ointment had significantly less pain and greater benefit than those in the placebo group throughout the first postoperative week. Postoperative pain scores in the placebo group averaged 8.8 +/- 1.2 early and diminished to 5.2 +/- 1.7 at the end of one week, compared to the diltiazem group of 5.2 +/- 2.4 early and 2.3 +/- 1.2 at the end of one week (P < 0.001, both time periods). Perceived benefit in the placebo group averaged 2.7 +/- 1.2 vs. 5.6 +/- 1.4 in the diltiazem group (P < 0.001). Total and daily narcotic use was higher in the placebo group, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). No differences in the frequency of use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen were seen between the two groups, and there were no differences in morbidity between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal application of 2 percent diltiazem ointment after hemorrhoidectomy significantly reduces postoperative pain and is perceived as beneficial, with no increase in associated morbidity. Patients using a placebo ointment tend to take more prescription narcotics for pain relief postoperatively, with a similar usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen, although differences were not significant.

Administration, Topical↗

Restoration of cerebral vasoreactivity by an L-type calcium channel blocker following fluid percussion brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in significant acute reductions in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). However, the mechanisms by which TBI impairs CBF and cerebral vascular reactivity have remained elusive. In the present study, the effect of verapamil, an L-type calcium (Ca(2+)) channel blocker, on post-traumatic vascular reactivity was evaluated following a lateral fluid percussion injury (FPI) in rats. rCBF was measured by [(14)C]-iodoantipyrine autoradiography 1 h after FPI. Following FPI, significant rCBF reductions were documented in all examined cortical areas. These reductions were the most prominent (72.0%) at the primary injury site. Intravenous infusion of verapamil (VE; 200 microg/kg/min), and norepinephrine (NE; 20 microg/mL/min) to maintain normal blood pressure, increased rCBF by 141.5% at the primary injury site when compared to untreated, FPinjured animals. Under stimulated conditions, both the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres failed to show any increases in rCBF at 1 h following FPI. In direct contrast, following VE+NE treatment all cortical areas measured showed near normal vascular reactivity to direct cortical stimulation (normal reactivity = 45% increase in rCBF vs. 47% increase in FPI+VE+NE cases). These findings suggest that the majority of post-traumatic hemodynamic depressions are closely related to mechanisms involving vasoconstriction. Furthermore, Ca(2+) may play a causative role in this vasoconstriction and the loss of vasoreactivity.

Animals↗

N-methylaspartate-activated calcium channels in rat brain cortex slices. Effect of calcium channel blockers and of inhibitory and depressant substances.

N-Methyl-DL-aspartate, L-glutamate, kainate and DL-homocysteate were found to increase the initial rate and the maximal uptake of 45Ca into the non-inulin space of rat brain cortex slices incubated in vitro. The N-methylaspartate-stimulated calcium uptake was blocked by cadmium and cobalt ions, but not by the organic calcium channel blocker nifedipine or by tetrodotoxin, both of which stimulated the N-methylaspartate-independent calcium influx. gamma-Aminobutyrate increased the spontaneous calcium influx, and also reduced that stimulated by N-methylaspartate to the same level, as found with gamma-aminobutyrate alone. Adenosine (1-100 microM), ethanol (0.1 M), pentobarbital (10-100 microM) and morphine (0.2 mM), were unable to inhibit the N-methylaspartate-activated calcium influx. Ethanol (0.1 M), had no effect on the glutamate- or kainate-activated calcium influx. These findings suggest that the excitatory amino acids, because of their neuronal depolarizing action in brain cortex, lead to the opening of voltage-sensitive calcium channels, which may be blocked by cadmium, but not by the organic calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine. The activation of calcium channels by the excitatory amino acid N-methylaspartate, was entirely unaffected by the depressants ethanol, pentobarbital or morphine, or by the endogenous inhibitory substance, adenosine, thus suggesting that their inhibitory or depressant effects occur through interference with a neuronal mechanism unrelated to the one studied here. gamma-Aminobutyrate, on the other hand, considerably inhibited N-methylaspartate-induced calcium uptake, an effect interpreted as due to a gamma-aminobutyrate-induced increase in chloride conductance, that "clamps" the membrane potential and does not allow further depolarization by N-methylaspartate.

Animals↗

Effects of new calcium channel blocker of niludipine on the coronary hemodynamics, diastolic properties, and metabolic responses to tachycardia stress in patients with coronary disease.

A new calcium channel blocker, niludipine, was administered intravenously to nine patients with coronary artery disease in order to investigate its effects on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, coronary sinus blood flow, and myocardial lactate metabolism. Coronary sinus pacing was performed in all patients and produced angina in six patients. Niludipine increased the resting heart rate from 75+/-3 beats/min (mean+/-SEM) to 82+/-3 (NS) and decreased the left ventricular systolic pressure from 155+/-4.7 mm Hg to 134+/-2.8 (p less than 0.05). Coronary sinus blood flow increased by 9%(NS). During pacing after niludipine, clinical improvement occurred in the six patients who had initially experienced angina. The extent of ischemic ST segment depression was decreased (-1.56+/-0.27 mm to -0.78+/-0.38, p less than 0.02) and myocardial lactate metabolism was improved. When pacing was terminated, niludipine suppressed the elevation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure compared to pretreatment values (16.2+/-2.5 mm Hg vs 8.5+/-0.9, p less than 0.05) and decreased the left ventricular time constant T(26.4+/-3.6 msec to 20.2+/-2.4 p less than 0.05). The results suggest that niludipine appears to be beneficial in reducing systolic and diastolic work of the left ventricle during pacing induced angina without a significant change in total coronary sinus blood flow. Niludipine appears to have less of a hypotensive and reflex tachycardic effect than nifedipine.

Adult↗

The L-type calcium channel blockers, hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridines, are not peroxyl radical-trapping, chain-breaking antioxidants.

The antioxidant properties of Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine esters and two dibenzo-1,4-dihydropyridines, 9,10-dihydroacridine (DHAC) and N-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (N-Me-DHAC), have been explored by determining whether they retard the autoxidation of styrene or cumene at 30 degrees C. Despite a claim to the contrary [(2003) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 16, 208-215], the Hantsch esters were found to be virtually inactive as chain-breaking antioxidants (CBAs), their reactivity toward peroxyl radicals being some 5 orders of magnitude lower than that of the excellent CBA, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxy-chroman (PMHC). DHAC was found to be about a factor of 10 less reactive than PMHC. From kinetic measurements using DHAC, N-deuterio-DHAC, and N-Me-DHAC, it is concluded that it is the N--H hydrogen in DHAC that is abstracted by peroxyl radicals, despite the fact that in DHAC the calculated C-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) is about 11 kcal/mol lower than the N-H BDE. The rates of hydrogen atom abstraction by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (dpph*) have also been determined for the same series of compounds. The trends in the peroxyl and dpph* rate constants are similar.

Acridines↗

Calcium channel blockers inhibit hydrogen peroxide-induced proliferation of cultured rat mesangial cells.

The present experiments were designed to assess a possible role of H2O2 in the proliferation of cultured rat mesangial cells, as well as to evaluate the effect of different calcium channel blockers and a platelet-activating factor antagonist on this proliferation. Cultured rat mesangial cells were plated at two densities (10,000 and 25,000 cells/well) in 24-well dishes, and proliferation was measured by analyzing [3H]thymidine incorporation and by directly counting the cells. Hydrogen peroxide, 100 microM, increased [3H]thymidine incorporation at the two densities tested (85 and 59%, respectively), as well as the number of cells (53 and 23%, respectively). This effect was dose dependent and it was blocked completely by verapamil and diltiazem, 10 microM, but not by TMB-8 [3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino) octyl ester] at the same concentration. BN 52021, a competitive antagonist of platelet-activating factor, only slightly blocked the H2O2-dependent proliferation. The inhibitory action of the two calcium antagonists tested started at concentrations as low as 1 nM, and inhibited completely the H2O2 stimulated proliferation at concentrations between 0.1 and 1 microM. These results establish that H2O2 is able to induce proliferation of mesangial cells. Although the pathophysiological implications of this finding remain to be proven, these data suggest a potential therapeutic action of calcium antagonist in inflammatory conditions such as glomerulonephritis.

Animals↗

Changes in calcium signalling, gravitropism, and statocyte ultrastructure in pea roots induced by calcium channel blockers.

The effect of Ca2+ channel blockers (D600 and nicardipine) were investigated in our experiments on 5-day seedlings of pea. Nicardipine had more inhibiting effect on root elongation than D600. The Ca2+ channel blockers (CCB) depressed gravitropic response in roots. In root statocytes, the destruction of the polar arrangement of cell organelles and other changes were induced by 10(-5) M D600 or nicardipine treatment for 12 h. At ultrastructural level, there were observed a lack of polarity, pronounced vacuolization, and changes in dictyosome structure in treated statocytes. Cytochemical study indicated that Ca2+ ions were concentrated in the intracellular organelles and cell walls in statocytes treated with CCB similar to untreated control. The data suggest that the effects of the CCB that demonstrated the correlation between the loss of polarity in statocytes and altered root gravitropism may be functionally related to systems that regulate Ca2+ homeostasis, particularly Ca2+ channels.

Calcium↗

Calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and the risk of cancer in hypertensive patients: a report from the Department of Health Hypertension Care Computing Project (DHCCP)

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown inconsistent results on the risk of cancer in hypertensive patients using calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. We investigated a large number of patients from the Department of Health Hypertension Care Computing Project (DHCCP) observational database treated with these drugs for hypertension to see whether the use of CCBs for hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality and the use of ACE inhibitors with a reduction. DESIGN: Matched case-control study and a longitudinal study of survival from 1 year after presentation. PATIENTS: A total of 11663 patients treated for hypertension from 1971 through 1987. They were recruited on presentation to one of the hospital hypertension clinics or general practices involved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Death with any mention of cancer on the death certificate in patients treated with an Index drug group; CCBs, ACE inhibitors, beta adrenergic blocking drugs (BBs), or receiving a diuretic. The treatment groups were mutually exclusive. RESULTS: A total of 391 cases of cancer were matched with 1050 controls. In this case-control study the adjusted relative risk estimate in comparison to diuretic treatment for CCBs was 0.79 (95% CI 0.37 to 1.69), and for CCBs plus a diuretic, 1.05 (0.65 to 1.69). Non-significant results were also observed for ACE inhibitors (1.48 (0.43 to 5.1), and 1.40 (0.56 to 3.50) with a diuretic), and also for the BB and methyldopa groups. In the longitudinal survival study, the adjusted relative risk estimate for CCBs was 1.1 (0.60 to 1.94) and 1.0 (0.53 to 1.86) for CCBs plus a diuretic, and for ACE inhibitors 1.33 (0.37 to 4.76) and 1.47 (0.67 to 3.23), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this population there was no increased cancer mortality with the use of CCBs and a relative risk greater than 1.7 to 2.0 was excluded with 95% confidence. The suggestion that ACE inhibitors reduce cancer mortality was not supported with best estimates of relative risk of 1.3 to 1.5 and exclusion of values less than 0.4 to 0.7.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of binding affinities and negative inotropic potencies of the 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in rabbit myocardium.

The binding and pharmacologic response of a series of 1,4-dihydropyridine analogs were examined in rabbit myocardium. [3H]Nitrendipine was used to label specific binding sites in myocardial membrane particulates and displacement experiments were carried out with the unlabeled analogs to determine their IC50 values. Binding of [3H]nitrendipine could be characterized by a Kd of 0.15 +/- 0.06 nM and a maximum number of binding sites of 247 +/- 150 fmol/mg of protein. Saturation binding experiments performed with higher concentrations of [3H]nitrendipine did not reveal the presence of a lower affinity site. Binding IC50 values of 12 unlabeled 1,4-dihydropyridine analogs ranged from 4.3 X 10(-10) M to 1.32 X 10(-6) M. The negative inotropic effect of the same compounds was studied in vitro in isolated papillary muscles and the IC50 values for inhibition of contraction determined. There was a statistically significant correlation between the IC50 values for binding and response (r = 0.79, P less than .005; rs = 0.78, P less than .005). Consistent with previous studies with several of these compounds, the response IC50 value for each compound was greater than the binding IC50 value. For most of the compounds, this difference was from one to two orders of magnitude. For three compounds, nitrendipine, nimodipine and nicardipine, this difference reached three orders of magnitude. These three dihydropyridine analogs share structural features that may determine their low myocardial potency and, at the same time, their high vascular smooth muscle potency. Elucidation of these structural features may be useful in determining which analogs will have the highest vascular smooth muscle selectivity.

Animals↗

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of losartan (50-100 mg) with the T-type calcium channel blocker mibefradil (50-100 mg) in mild to moderate hypertension.

The objective of this study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of losartan and mibefradil. 324 outpatients (57 +/- 9.2 years) with mild to moderate hypertension were randomly allocated in a double-blind fashion to receive 50 mg of losartan or mibefradil once daily p.o. for 6 weeks after 2 weeks of placebo run-in. Titration was then forced to 100 mg of losartan or mibefradil for an additional 6 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was change in predose sitting diastolic (SDBP) and systolic (SSBP) blood pressure at 12 weeks. Secondary variables included change in mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and comparison of safety and tolerability. Both treatments lowered SSBP and SDBP at 6 and 12 weeks (week 6: mibefradil -14/-9 mm Hg; losartan -12/-7 mm Hg) (P <0.001). The primary objective, a difference between treatments in reduction of SSBP and SDBP at week 12 could be demonstrated (mibefradil -22/-16 mm Hg; losartan -16/-10 mm Hg) (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively). Twenty-four-hour SBP and 24-hour DBP were reduced (P<0.001) within each treatment group at weeks 6 and 12. The secondary objective, a difference between treatments in reduction of 24-hour blood pressure at week 12 could be demonstrated (P<0.001). Twenty-four-hour heart rate was lowered in the mibefradil group at weeks 6 and 12 (P < 0.001). Responder rates at 6 and 12 weeks were 56.2% and 78.5% for mibefradil versus 56.1% and 55.3% for losartan (P = 0.001). Both treatments were equally well tolerated. This study demonstrates that 50 mg losartan is comparably effective to 50 mg mibefradil in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension with 100 mg mibefradil being more potent than losartan.

Adolescent↗

Geriatric hypertension: the growing use of calcium-channel blockers.

The recognition of essential hypertension as a heterogeneous entity mandates that therapy be individualized according to the subset of hypertension that characterizes each patient. Choosing the most appropriate therapeutic regimen in elderly hypertensives is complicated by a greater susceptibility to side effects from medications, and by concomitant diseases. Calcium-channel blockers address the pathophysiologic mechanisms of generic hypertension, thus providing clinicians with more specific pharmacologic tools for treating elderly hypertensives. In addition, these agents will avoid many of the side effects of other antihypertensive agents and can ameliorate certain concomitant diseases.

Aged↗

The effect of calcium channel blockers and calmodulin inhibitors on the macrophage factor-stimulated synthesis of collagenase by rabbit chondrocytes.

Macrophages and monocytes secrete a factor(s) which can stimulate the synthesis of collagenase in synovial cells and in chondrocytes. Incubation of rabbit chondrocytes with macrophage conditioned medium (MCM) and with the calcium channel blockers, nifedipine, verapamil or diltiazem (up to 200 microM) had no effect on collagenase synthesis. However, TMB-8 (8-[N,N-diethylamino]-octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride), an inhibitor of internal calcium movement, did inhibit the process with an IC50 of approximately 130 microM. The calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine and calmidazolium (R-24571) were effective inhibitors of the process with IC50's of 40 microM, 18 microM and 3.5 microM, respectively. Collagenase activity itself was not affected by these agents. The data suggests that calmodulin and/or internal calcium movement may play a role in the macrophage factor-stimulated synthesis of collagenase in rabbit chondrocytes.

Animals↗