title: Effect of a calcium antagonist on experimental constriction of human brain vessels.
abstract: In search for a potent dilatator or deactivator of constriction of cerebrovascular smooth muscle, the effects of a specific antagonist of the calcium influx necessary for the excitation-contraction coupling process was studied on isolated human pial arteries. The arteries were constricted by addition of noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, human plasma or blood. All these agents induced a strong contraction which could effectively be reduced by addition of the Ca++-antagonist, nifedipine, to the organ bath. It is suggested that calcium antagonists might be of value in the treatment of cerebrovascular spasm following a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010841:Pia Mater / Q000098:blood supply*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011725:Pyridines; D012701:Serotonin; D009543:Nifedipine; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine