Prophylactic effects of an N- and L-type Ca2+ antagonist, cilnidipine, against cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in stroke-prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract

To clarify the beneficial effects of cilnidipine, an L- and N-type calcium channel blocker, which were clinically observed against diastolic dysfunction in hypertrophied hearts of hypertensive patients, we investigated the effects of cilnidipine on cardiac remodeling and enhanced gene expression in stroke-prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats in comparison with that of captopril, a well-known angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, at threshold doses with little blood pressure lowering effect. The expression of type III collagen and beta/alpha-myosin heavy chain as well as transforming growth factor-beta, and basic fibroblast growth factor were suppressed by both treatments, indicating the prevention or amelioration of cardiac dysfunction. Such beneficial effects were much more intense with cilnidipine treatment than in captopril. These results indicate that Ca2+ is a key factor in the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling in hypertension. One possible beneficial effect of cilnidipine in the prevention of cardiac dysfunction may be due to the decreased amount of growth factors such as transforming growth factor-beta and basic fibroblast growth factor via direct action for Ca2+ influx and also via inhibition of local renin-angiotensin system in the myocardium.

• Authors: Kumiko Takemori, Hiroyuki Ishida, Kensaku Dote, Kazuo Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Ito
• Journal: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology (Can J Physiol Pharmacol) 2005 Aug-Sep Vol. 83 Issue 8-9 Pg. 785-90 ISSN: 0008-4212 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 16333380 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Collagen Type III
• Dihydropyridines
• Transforming Growth Factor beta
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
• cilnidipine
• Captopril
• Ventricular Myosins

Topics

• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Calcium Channel Blockers (therapeutic use)
• Captopril (therapeutic use)
• Cardiomegaly (metabolism, prevention & control)
• Collagen Type III (genetics, metabolism)
• Dihydropyridines (therapeutic use)
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Hypertension (complications, metabolism)
• Male
• Myocardium (metabolism, pathology)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred SHR
• Rats, Inbred WKY
• Stroke (complications, metabolism)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta (genetics, metabolism)
• Ventricular Myosins (genetics, metabolism)
• Ventricular Remodeling (drug effects)