title: Effect of lacidipine on pituitary function in essential hypertension.
abstract: Calcium plays an important role in endocrine reactions such as hormone biosynthesis, release, secretion, and action on target organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a new long-lasting calcium-channel blocker, lacidipine, on basal and stimulated anterior pituitary hormone secretion. In a single-blind crossover study comparing lacidipine 4 mg p.o. once daily with placebo, variations in plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were evaluated in 10 hypertensive patients. Basal or stimulated anterior pituitary hormone secretion was similar after lacidipine and placebo. Lacidipine treatment significantly reduced blood pressure. It can thus be concluded that lacidipine is an effective calcium antagonist that has no effect on pituitary function.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Semiotics, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carpené
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Opocher
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanferrari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rizzini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mantero
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; C060285:lacidipine