title: Does verapamil act as an immunomodulatory drug in vivo?
abstract: Based on in vitro data, previous investigators have hypothesized that Ca2+ entry blockers might affect lymphocyte activation, proliferation and effector function. We have tested this hypothesis by comparing the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Ca2+ entry blocker verapamil on human lymphocytes. In vitro high concentrations of verapamil (100 microM) inhibited mitogen-stimulated Ca2+ influx, inositol phosphate generation, and proliferation; similar effects were observed with diltiazem and nifedipine. In vivo treatment of healthy volunteers with verapamil (2-4 times 240 mg per day for 7 days) did not affect the number of circulating lymphocytes or their subset distribution. Moreover, we did not observe any effect of in vivo treatment with verapamil on mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation or expression of interleukin-2 receptors in vitro. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of verapamil on lymphocyte activation in vitro are unlikely to be of therapeutic relevance and may not be related to the Ca2+ entry blocking effects of this drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Maisel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polizzi
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Motulsky
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Brodde
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: van Tits
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007295:Inositol Phosphates; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D014700:Verapamil; D002118:Calcium