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Calcium channel blockers.

Calcium channel blockers are widely used in the treatment of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and supraventricular tachycardia. The prototype agents, verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem, represent three classes of calcium channel blockers, each of which has different pharmacologic effects. Nifedipine and the other dihydropyridines primarily are vasodilators and have no clinical effects on cardiac conduction or contractility. Diltiazem and verapamil also are vasodilators, but they possess, to varying degrees, negative inotropic, chronotropic, and dromotropic effects. Side effects of these drugs are relatively rare and usually not serious, with the exception of potential conduction disturbances and heart failure in patients with underlying cardiac disease. To assess patients taking these medications and provide the necessary teaching, the nurse needs an understanding of the pharmacologic properties, clinical indications, and potential adverse effects of the various drugs.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Comparative clinical pharmacology of calcium channel blockers.

Calcium channel blockers are effective antihypertensive agents, both as initial monotherapy and in combination with other antihypertensive agents. These drugs are also effective in the treatment of chronic, stable angina, variant angina and supraventricular arrhythmias. Drugs in this class have different affinities for calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, cardiac sinus and atrioventricular node. They are all useful in hypertension and angina, but only verapamil and diltiazem are also useful in the control of heart rate and supraventricular arrhythmias. Nimodipine may control vascular spasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Calcium channel blockers have also been used in the treatment of migraine headache and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Interventions that beneficially influence the evolution of coronary atherosclerosis. The case for calcium channel blockers.

Calcium channel blockers have been shown to retard the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed cholesterol-rich diets. The mechanism accounting for this effect is controversial but may be by stimulation of cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity in smooth muscle cells, by amelioration of hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction, or by inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. The effect of calcium channel blockers on the evolution of coronary atherosclerosis in humans has been assessed in two clinical trials. In the Montreal Heart Institute trial, nicardipine did not influence the overall rate of progression and regression; however, nicardipine-treated patients experienced significantly less progression of minimal lesions, defined as stenoses of < or = 20% severity. In the International Nifedipine Trial on Antiatherosclerotic Therapy, nifedipine had no effect on overall progression and regression but reduced the rate of appearance of new coronary lesions. These studies constitute a potentially important new approach to the management of coronary atherosclerosis.

Animals

Improved outcome of cadaveric renal transplantation due to calcium channel blockers.

Calcium channel blockers (CCB) administered to recipients of cadaveric renal transplants have been shown to improve graft function, decrease the incidence of delayed function, prevent acute cyclosporine toxicity, and lessen the number of rejection episodes in the first several weeks posttransplant. In order to determine whether CCB provide a similar long-term benefit, a retrospective analysis of 83 first cadaveric renal transplants performed in 1987 and 1988 was performed. The clinical course of 17 patients who were discharged and maintained on CCB therapy for 1 year was compared with that of 24 patients who never received CCB during the same 1-year period. The remaining 42 patients were excluded for failing to meet these inclusion criteria. The two groups were similar with respect to age, sex, cold ischemia time, degree of sensitization, HLA matching, DR matching, and DR mismatching. The no CCB group did receive a significantly greater number of pretransplant transfusions. In the 1 year of follow-up, graft loss in the CCB group was less than in the no CCB group (1/17, 5.9% vs. 6/24, 25%). There was a striking decrease in the percentage of first rejection episodes in the CCB group as compared with no CCB therapy (35% vs. 83%, P less than 0.005). In addition, a similar decrease in second rejection episodes was found in the CCB group (18% vs. 33%, P less than 0.05). The two groups also were compared with respect to graft function. Despite similar serum creatinine levels at 1 month (CCB 1.8 mg% vs. no CCB 2.2 mg%, P = 0.37) and 1 year (CCB 1.7 mg% vs. no CCB 2.4 mg%, P = 0.19), the CCB group had a significantly higher glomerular filtration rate at 1 month (53.9 vs. 38.7, P less than 0.05) and 1 year (57.0 vs. 35.0, P less than 0.001) as measured by clearance of radiolabeled iothalamate. These results suggest that the short-term improvements noted in both graft function and rejection episodes with CCB are maintained for the first year posttransplant. More importantly, CCB use results in improved 1-year graft survival.

Adult

Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and the sulfhydryl-ACE inhibitors demonstrate protection against free-radical-mediated injury of cardiovascular cells and membranes.

During reperfusion of previously ischemic cardiac tissue, oxygen-centered free radicals are generated and may result in peroxidative injury of cardiovascular cells and membranes. Since the occurrence of reperfusion injury in patients is unpredictable, particularly in those patients with chronic ischemic coronary artery disease, silent ischemia and those predisposed to significant coronary spasm, it would be advantageous to provide continuing therapy with antioxidant agents.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Pharmacologic management of ischemic heart disease with beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.

In myocardial ischemia beta-blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand, improve flow toward ischemic regions, and have mild antiplatelet and antiarrhythmic effects. These agents are effective in chronic stable angina and unstable angina. In chronic myocardial ischemia, the beta-blockers timolol, metoprolol, atenolol, and propranolol have cardioprotective effects, reducing overall mortality and the incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction. Calcium channel blockers, which reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve oxygen supply, are effective in the treatment of chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina, and unstable angina. Although calcium channel blockers generally have no effect or adverse effects when used as primary therapy for acute myocardial infarction, diltiazem (when used concomitantly with nitrates or beta-blockers) has been shown to reduce the incidence of reinfarction in patients after non-Q wave myocardial infarction.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Effects of calcium channel blockers on calcium uptake in rat aortic valve allografts.

BACKGROUND: The life span of human aortic valve allografts is finite, and many fail because of cusp rupture or calcification. Subcellular changes occurring in aortic valves in response to transplantation include the uptake of calcium. This study uses a heterotropic rat aortic valve transplant model to determine whether the calcium channel blockers diltiazem and verapamil might attenuate leaflet calcification. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 60 rats studied were divided into the following groups: 1) control: valves from normal, unoperated F1 generation of Lewis and Brown Norway cross (LBNF1) rats; 2) control: valves from syngeneic transplant combinations (Lewis/Lewis); 3) control: valves from allogeneic transplant combinations (LBNF1/Lewis, donor/recipient); 4) experimental: valves from allogeneic strain combinations treated with 30 mg/kg per day diltiazem; 5) experimental: valves from allogeneic strain combinations treated with 30 mg/kg per day verapamil. Drugs or saline (controls) were administered with osmotic pumps placed subcutaneously 2 days before transplantation. Animals were killed 3 weeks later, and the valves were harvested and prepared for calcium analysis. Energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis was used to measure the calcium in a section of one leaflet from each valve studied. Paired t tests showed that allograft valves treated with diltiazem or verapamil contained significantly less calcium than allograft controls treated with saline (p < 0.001). When all five groups were subjected to one-way ANOVA, the valves in the allograft control group contained significantly more calcium than all other groups. All other groups were not different from each other. CONCLUSIONS: The calcium channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem were effective in preventing early calcification that occurs in aortic valves after transplantation. Thus, these agents might play a role in prolonging the life of human aortic valve allografts.

Analysis of Variance

A comparison of the efficacy and safety of a beta-blocker, a calcium channel blocker, and a converting enzyme inhibitor in hypertensive blacks.

A double-blind, positively controlled, forced dose titration study comparing the efficacy and safety of atenolol, captopril, and verapamil sustained release as single agents in the treatment of black patients with mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic blood pressure, 95 to 114 mm Hg) was conducted. A total of 394 patients were randomized to one of the three therapies. Mean blood pressures during a 2- to 4-week placebo treatment period (baseline) ranged from 100.4 to 100.7 mm Hg diastolic and 151.7 to 152.5 mm Hg systolic for the three groups. Of the patients, 355 (of whom 345 had assessable data) completed the first treatment period, which consisted of therapy with either 50 mg/d of atenolol, 25 mg every 12 hours of captopril, or 240 mg/d of verapamil sustained release. During the second 4-week treatment period, which 319 patients completed (307 assessable), half of the patients had their antihypertensive medication increased and the other half continued the same dose. Goal blood pressure was defined as a supine diastolic pressure of less than 90 mm Hg or a 10-mm Hg or greater drop in supine diastolic blood pressure from pretreatment levels. Atenolol, captopril, and verapamil sustained release therapy was associated with goal blood pressure achievement during the first treatment period 55.1%, 43.8%, and 65.2% of the time, respectively, and during the second treatment period 59.6%, 57.1%, and 73.0% of the time. Side effects were minimal and comparable for all three drugs.

Adult

Effects of orally administered beta-adrenergic blockers and calcium-channel blockers on the intraocular pressure of patients with treated hypertension.

Little attention has been paid to the influence of orally administered antihypertensive drugs on intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, we evaluated the effects of oral medications on the IOPs and visual fields of 70 patients with systemic hypertension who had no ocular symptoms and had not visited any eye hospital. In patients with systemic hypertension treated with medication, the IOP value (mean, 18.3 +/- 4.2 mmHg; age range, 63.3 +/- 11.6 years) was significantly higher than in a control group with a similar age range who were not receiving oral medication (mean, 13.7 +/- 2.0 mmHg; age range, 62.5 +/- 7.8 years). In the group in which hypertension was controlled by medication, the IOPs were lower when orally administered beta-adrenergic blockers were given than in those patients with uncontrolled hypertension. In the group to whom calcium-channel blockers were administered orally, the IOPs were not lower. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors made the visual fields worse. This study suggests a modulating influence of orally administered drugs on the IOP and visual fields, which may be affected by whether or not the patient's blood pressure is controlled.

Administration, Oral

Gingival hyperplasia in rats induced by oxodipine--a calcium channel blocker.

Oxodipine, a new calcium channel blocker, induced gingival hyperplasia in rats. This is the first time that a calcium channel blocker has been documented as resulting in gingival hyperplasia in rats. In contrast to diphenylhydantoin, the hyperplastic changes induced by oxodipine were not precipitated by any prior irritation. The histology consisted of purely fibroblastic proliferation without infiltrate of inflammatory cells.

Animals

Effects of calcium channel blockers on the coronary circulation.

Calcium channel blockers are among the most effective antiischemic therapies currently available. These agents afford a reduction in vascular smooth muscle tone by interrupting the excitation-contraction coupling process dependent on calcium transport. The efficacy of calcium channel blockers in patients with myocardial ischemia is probably due in large part to their effects on coronary circulation. In experimental models of coronary occlusion, these agents have been demonstrated to increase coronary vasodilation and coronary blood flow. Recruitment of coronary vasodilator reserve by nifedipine has been demonstrated indirectly via enhancement of left ventricular function in a canine model. Additionally, calcium channel blockers have been shown to modify the reactive hyperemic response usually seen after coronary artery occlusion. These changes in coronary resistance vessels, which normally regulate myocardial blood flow in response to metabolic requirements, have important clinical implications. Larger collateral vessels are also affected by calcium channel blockers, although the results observed in experimental models are not as clear cut. Although techniques for measuring coronary blood flow in humans are more limited, considerable data have accumulated on the effects of calcium channel blockers in humans. Assessments of coronary vasodilation using quantitative angiography have produced variable results. However, improved myocardial perfusion, as measured by thallium-201 scintigraphy after administration of nifedipine, and beneficial effects on coronary blood flow and coronary vascular resistance as assessed using the precordial xenon-133 washout technique before and after sublingual administration of nifedipine have been observed. Overall, such studies have not only shown the clinical usefulness of calcium channel blockers, but have broadened our understanding about the complex interplay of their mechanisms of action.

Animals

Calcium channel blockers and gingival overgrowth.

Calcium channel blockers are widely used in medical practice for the management of cardiovascular disorders. Of concern to the dental practitioner is the effect of these drugs on the gingival tissues. All classes of calcium channel blockers have been implicated in causing gingival overgrowth. This review considers the prevalence, clinical features, histopathology, pathogenesis and management of this unwanted side-effect.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Depression of calcium channel blocker binding to rat brain membranes by halothane.

The present study evaluates the action of volatile anesthetics on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in isolated rat brain membranes, measured as changes in binding of the Ca2+ channel blocker [3H]isradipine to these membranes. Equilibrium binding studies with increasing concentrations of [3H]isradipine (0.01-1 nM) in the presence of halothane (1.9%), isoflurane (2.3%), and enflurane (4.8%) at 25 degrees C were performed. Only halothane produced a significant depression in the specific binding of isradipine to the brain membranes at 0.5 and 1.0 nM [3H]isradipine (P = 0.028 and 0.018, respectively). Isoflurane and enflurane had such inconsistent effects that the data were inconclusive. Halothane produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of binding, the maximum inhibition being 44% (P less than 0.005). Nonlinear regression analysis fit of the binding data indicates halothane produced a 48% decrease (P less than 0.05) in the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) with no effect on the dissociation constant (Kd). As voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are important in mediating neurotransmission, the marked decrease in channel number (Bmax) associated with halothane exposure suggests that this phenomenon might be related to the mechanism of general anesthesia.

Animals

Effect of calcium channel blockers on platelet GPIIb-IIIa as a calcium channel in liposomes: comparison with effects on the intact platelet.

The platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex is essential for platelet aggregation and functions as a fibrinogen receptor on the activated platelet. When incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, this glycoprotein complex can function as an apparent calcium channel which facilitates the transit of calcium across a phospholipid barrier. In order to further evaluate this calcium channel, the effect of calcium channel blockers of the dihydropyridine (nifedipine and nicardipine), arylalkylamine (verapamil) and benzothiazepine (diltiazem) classes were evaluated on GPIIb-IIIa liposomes with encapsulated fura-2 (a fluorescent calcium indicator). Nicardipine, verapamil, and nifedipine significantly inhibited calcium influx into GPIIb-IIIa liposomes; however, this required 190 microM, 400 microM, and 140 microM drug, respectively. These concentrations are 10-1,000 fold greater than those clinically obtainable. In contrast, diltiazem at concentrations greater than 220 microM and amiloride at concentrations greater than 800 microM showed no inhibitory effects. When aspirinized platelets were activated with 30 micrograms/ml bovine fibrillar collagen, both nicardipine and diltiazem produced a decrease in both the initial rise and maximum cytoplasmic calcium concentration. Parallel experiments were performed to assess the effects of verapamil, nicardipine, and diltiazem on platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma. Nicardipine, 190-380 microM, induced a prolongation of the lag phase, but no effect on the final degree of platelet aggregation to collagen. Similar inhibition of platelet aggregation was seen with diltiazem and verapamil although the effect of diltiazem was less pronounced particularly at higher concentrations of collagen. No effect was seen on aggregation with 32 microM ADP which is release independent, or on the primary wave of low dose ADP induced platelet aggregation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biological Transport, Active

Calcium channel blockers and atherosclerosis.

There is evidence that calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers) may suppress atheroma formation in animals fed high-fat diets. Studies on the antiatherosclerotic effects of calcium blockers have suggested a variety of possible mechanisms: (a) lowering of arterial pressure, (b) decrease in atherogenic plasma lipoproteins, (c) suppression of accumulation of intracellular lipids, (d) suppression of atherogenic platelet dysfunction, (e) prevention of dyslipidemic endothelial injury, (f) inhibition of chemotaxis and cell migration, (g) inhibition of cell proliferation, (h) inhibition of deposition of matrix proteins, (i) suppression of tissue mineralization, and (j) retardation of cell necrosis. Although it is tempting to ascribe the antiatherosclerotic effects of calcium blockers to a blockade of calcium channels, other possible common mechanisms of action involving low-affinity drug-binding sites must be considered. Recently, two randomized, prospective clinical trials designed to determine the effects of calcium channel blockers on the progression of coronary artery disease have been completed. Results of the trials suggest that calcium channel blockers suppressed the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The utility of calcium channel blockers for the treatment of atherosclerosis will require further evaluation.

Arteriosclerosis

Structurally novel antihypertensive compound, McN-5691, is a calcium channel blocker in vascular smooth muscle.

These studies were conducted to gain greater understanding of the mechanism of action of the chemically novel antihypertensive agent, McN-5691. McN-5691 (1 and 10 microM) prevented 60 mM KCl-induced contraction and calcium uptake and caused concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 190 microM) of 30 mM KCl-contracted aortic rings. At or below 10 microM, McN-5691 had no effects on basal tone or calcium uptake (45Ca) in isolated rings of rabbit thoracic aorta. McN-5691 caused complete high affinity inhibition (Kd = 39.5 nM) of specific diltiazem binding to the benzothiazepine receptor on the voltage-sensitive calcium channel in skeletal muscle microsomal membranes. In contrast to diltiazem, McN-5691 inhibited specific dihydropyridine receptor binding, but the effect was biphasic with high (Kd = 4.7 nM) and low (Kd = 919.8 nM) affinity components. These findings suggest that McN-5691 is a voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocker. Unlike other calcium channel blockers, McN-5691 inhibited norepinephrine (NE)-induced contraction (10 microM) and calcium uptake (1 and 10 microM) and caused concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 159 microM) of 1 microM NE-contracted rings of rabbit thoracic aorta. The vascular relaxant effects of McN-5691 were not related to increased calcium (45Ca) efflux from vascular smooth muscle cells. The effects of McN-5691 on NE-induced contraction were unrelated to intracellular mechanisms because McN-5691 did not affect NE-induced contraction in the absence of extracellular calcium. McN-5691 had weak activity in rat cerebral cortical membrane alpha-1 or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor binding assays. McN-5691-induced vasodilation of phenylephrine-contracted rat aortic strips was not reversible by high potassium, indicating that McN-5691 does not induce relaxation of blood vessels through potassium channel activation. In summary, these studies suggest that the primary vasodilator mechanism of McN-5691 is calcium channel blockade through competitive binding at the diltiazem site on the voltage sensitive calcium channel. McN-5691 may possess an additional vasodilator mechanism of action distinct from alpha adrenergic receptor blockade but involving a cell membrane-related event apparently leading to attenuation of receptor-operated calcium channel activity.

Animals

Effects of calcium-channel blockers on cytosolic free calcium and amylase secretion in rat pancreatic acini.

We investigated the effects of verapamil and diltiazem on cytosolic free calcium and amylase secretion in rat pancreatic acini. Verapamil and diltiazem reduced a rise in cytosolic free calcium and amylase release stimulated by the maximal concentration (10(-5) M) of carbachol in a dose-dependent manner. High concentrations (500 microM) of verapamil and diltiazem inhibited both the initial and the sustained amylase secretion stimulated by 10(-5) M carbachol. However, at low concentration (1 microM), they showed no effect on amylase secretion by 10(-5) M carbachol. These calcium-channel blockers did not affect calcium mobilization and amylase secretion stimulated by either caerulein or neuromedin C. Binding of 3H-N-methylscopolamine to pancreatic acini was inhibited by verapamil and diltiazem in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggested that verapamil and diltiazem reduced carbachol-induced amylase secretion probably not due to their calcium-channel blocking activities but due to their non-competitive effects on the level of muscarinic receptors.

Amylases